Maine’s small businesses and their workers are the backbone of our economy. Several new programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program, are now becoming available to support them due to COVID-19 disruption.
Maine Street Lending Program- Business loans to help eligible medium-sized and small companies through the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF)
SBA Technical Assistance and Advising Partners
The SBA provides free business advice and counseling through three partner organizations in Maine. There is no wrong option and each is trained to assist with COVID-19-related paperwork and to answer specific, detailed questions.
Small Business Administration’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Maine SBDC – Counselors are available statewide and you can request advising on the SBDC website. The website also has a wealth of information on starting a business.
SCORE – SCORE has chapters around the State, with the nation’s best chapter for two years running located in Portland – https://portlandme.score.org/. SCORE is a free, volunteer-led service and has both general business mentors and subject area experts.
Maine Women’s Business Center – WBC is also statewide and both WBC and SBDC are hosted by CEI – https://www.ceimaine.org/advising/ – you can request a business advisor from CEI through their website.
Financial Resources in Response COVID-19-related closures and economic disruption (PDF)