Article Title: Maine Small Business Updates & Resources during COVID-19

Please be very careful of who you work with or speak to about government checks, IRS taxes, working with a bank on SBA loans, etc. There are many, many scammers out there. If you do not recognize the person on the phone, tell them you will call them back at the company’s main line (found on their website). Be very wary of clicking on links in emails unless you know the person directly.

All decisions are yours to make.  We are only providing information and options for you to choose.  We do recommend you go directly to the source of a program to learn more, even if you talk to one of our advisors or counselors. We will help guide you to the right sources for more information.  

MaineStream Finance is a 20-year old mission-driven, nonprofit home and small business community development lender and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penquis CAP, with offices in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft, and Rockland. We are a US Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and are regulated by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection (BCCP) under NMLS for home lending.

Since 1999, MaineStream has served Maine homeowners, homebuyers, consumers, and entrepreneurs in securing the needed advice and financing they need to grow and thrive. We deliver these services through lending, savings products, classes, and 1:1 advisory support. We do not charge fees for our advisory support or counseling; only for our lending and home-buyer classes, do we charge fees and/or interest.

We work with and are supported by SBA and FAME and several local and national banks, particularly Bangor Savings Bank, Bank of America (BOA), Camden National Bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, First National Bank, Machias Savings Bank, People’s United Bank, TD Bank, and Wells Fargo.    We promise to make sure you know all of your options and will never steer you to one financial institution over another due to our relationships. The best place to start for any help is to start with your current financial institution – i.e. who has your bank accounts and credit cards?

At this time, we at MaineStream are offering special COVID-19 related loan product called the business booster loan, particuarly for the self-employed who were not able to access SBA COVID-19 programs, like PPP or EIDL.  

If you would like one of our business advisors to contact you, please fill out this intake form.

MaineStream Business Lending – statewide:

• Matthew Lewis; mlewis@penquis.org, 207-973-3509

MaineStream Small Business Workshops.  For information on upcoming MaineStream business workshops, click here.

MaineStream Business Advising – call for help to work through crisis issues and access resources. We can help you fill-out emergency loan applications with the SBA and FAME.

• Penobscot County: Matthew Lewis, mlewis@penquis.org, 207-973-3509
• Knox, Waldo, Lincoln Counties: Ken Greenleaf, kgreenleaf@penquis.org, (207) 974-2437
• Piscataquis, Washington, Hancock Counties: James Macomber, jamcomber@penquis.org, (207) 974-2476
• Want a quick question answered or link to the right resource? Message us on Facebook @mainestreamfinance / MaineStream Finance. We will be monitoring comments, chat, and the message inbox on our page here M-F 8 AM – 4:30 PM each week!

Have a question about personal finances or housing during this time? See our resource pages on those topics here:

• Personal Finance issues during COVID-19
• Housing in Maine updates during COVID-19
• New Mainers & Immigrants in Maine – Resources during COVID-19

You can also contact Maine DECD Business Answers, the local SBA Maine office, your local SBDC advisor, or local SCORE Mentor for more information or if your business needs help. There is also a great discussion group for small businesses on Facebook called COVID-19 Small Business Resource Group created by Mainers.

• Governor Mills Presents Safe, Gradual Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy (official)
  • Some Maine businesses can reopen Friday, but many could stay closed deep into summer (Apr 28 – BDN)
  • Read the timeline for reopening Maine’s economy
    • Stage 1 openings-May 1: Barber shops, hair salons and pet grooming, auto dealers and car washes
    • Stage 2-June 1: restaurants, fitness centers, nail technicians, retail stores, lodging and campgrounds (limited), kid daycamps
    • Stage 3-July 1: all lodging, campgrounds, summer camps or RV parks for Maine residents and visitors, outdoor recreation such as charter boats and boat excursions, bars, personal services such as spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, and massage facilities
    • Stage 4 (likely Aug – undetermined): lifting restrictions and allowing all businesses and activities to resume with appropriate safety precautions. Cruises of over 50 passengers likely to still be on hold.
• Unemployment for the self-employed in Maine starts May 1.  Directions of getting started are on the following webpage:
  • Maine Department of Labor – Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Page for the self-employed (Opens Friday, May 1)
  • Official Press Release: Department of Labor to Accept Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Applications May 1
  • After delay, Maine says self-employed workers can file for unemployment on Friday (BDN, 4/28)
• If your employees are furloughed, laid off, self-quarantined, or self-selected to not work because of COVID-19, they most likely qualify for unemployment insurance in Maine. Self-employed, sole proprietors are covered if they are incorporated. However, most independent contractors, small business owners and other self-employed individuals are not incorporated, do not contribute to unemployment taxes, and are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.  The CAREs act does allow the self-employed to draw unemployment but Maine DOL is still not ready-called PUA – see above.
• The SBA PPP and EIDL programs go live on Monday, April 26 at 10:30 AM Eastern. Apply to SBA directly for EIDL and go to your local bank or credit union for PPP. We have links below under “Banking & Finance” to narrow the search in finding a local bank or call us for those we know are open to taking new clients. This is a do not wait situation – some say the funds will run out in a few days. For Round I, BDN reports 1/10 small businesses received support. Top Maine recipients: restaurants, hotels, law offices, and auto repair shops. BUYER BEWARE: PPP scams have already popped up – only work with a local SBA 7a lender (usually a local bank or credit union) or go directly to SBA.
• If you are approved for the SBA Disaster Loan, the first $10,000 can be forgivable. It is also a simpler form and process now. You can apply for a SBA Disaster Loan through the Federal Government or through your local bank through FAME. There is now a new program announced through the US Federal Reserve called the Main Street Business Loan Program – details to come. BE ADVISED: we strongly caution small businesses from taking on loans at this time though – they must be paid back eventually!
• Most loan payments and other debt with the banks can be delayed by up to 90 days (but you’ll still have to pay it back!). Many have promised to waive late fees and overdraft fees. Call your bank to check on these.
• If you are a company with more than 50 employees and less than 500 employees (51 to 499), then you must offer extended paid family medical leave or paid sick leave from April 1 to December 31. We are hoping the Federal government will help employers pay for it, especially if this extends to all employers. It looks like if you are a company of 50 employees or less, you may be exempted – but we won’t know until April when new rules are out.
• Tax filings and tax payments are delayed until July 15 for both Federal and the State of Maine. The IRS has also launched People First initiative (to work out and defer payment plans etc.)

• Federal Stimulus package - CARES Act - summary

  • The CARE Act that passed late March 27 as law cover loans to small businesses that are forgivable if you do not lay-off employees plus additional loan availability through SBA 7a. Here is a summary – again all is preliminary. Most but not all includes incorporated businesses and self-employed from what we can tell. (Source: Coleman Report, Sen. Collins office, Retail Assoc. of Maine)
    • $349 billion in additional SBA 7(a) loan authority
    • Increases SBA 7(a) maximum loan size to $10 million loan and $1 million maximum for SBA Express.
    • A 100% government guaranty on the full balance
    • Faster approval – approval done only by lender (not SBA)
    • Eligibility includes business and/or nonprofit which employ less than 500 employees.
    • Funds may be used for payroll support, employee salaries, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and debt obligations incurred before the covered period.
    • Some can be forgiven for 2.5 months of payroll (if no layoffs) – compared to prior to crisis. If not forgiven, can be deferred for a year.
    • $265 million for Entrepreneurial Development Programs (SBDC, etc).
    • $10 billion more for Emergency Disaster Grants
    • $17 billion more for Business Loans Account (New CARES Loan Program)
    • $300 million for assistance to tribal, subsistence, commercial, and charter fishery participants affected by COVID-19, which may include direct relief payments.
    • $9.5 billion for agriculture producers
    • Allows for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through December 31 for the self-employed.
    • Employee Retention Tax Credit to companies that retain employees on payroll and cover 50% of workers’ paychecks.
    • Can defer paying into social security – half ’til 12/31/20 and the other half til 12/31/22.
  • Here are some pretty good resources on how to navigate the CAREs act impact on finances, taxes, employment, etc.:
    • Westway Law Firm: “The Entrepreneur’s COVID-19 Playbook“
    • National Governor’s Association (NGA) – COVID-19 Funding Resources

Maine Focused

• Sen. Collins Office COVID-19 Resource Guide for Mainers
• Rep. Golden Small Business Resource Guide
• WMTW/Channel 8-ABC COVID Resources – supporting small businesses [in Maine]
• Maine Development Foundation (MDF) COVID-19 Pandemic Resources
• U Maine – Innovation and Economic Development – Resources for Business Owners

National/Regional

• US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Resource Center for businesses – resources
  • Special Report on Coronvirus and Small Business (US Chamber and Metlife – April 3) – 54% expected to close by late April.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) Resources and Discussion groups
• Equivico online resources for Small Businesses (Technical Assistance, Loans, Grants)
• Aspen Institute COVID-19 Resources Useful for Rural People and Communities
• ICIC Small Business Resource Center for COVID-19 (Greater Boston)
• RestoreYourEconomy.org – International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
• Main Street America COVID-19 Main Street Resources
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) Help for Small Businesses & COVID-19
• Facebook Small Business Resource Hub
• Yelp’s COVID Response

Business Surveys

• Family Business Alliance – Survey – early June (webinar – 90 mns)
• Re-starting Maine’s Economy survey-May 13 and addendum – Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE)
• Small Business Pulse Survey – US Census Bureau (May 14)
• State of Small Business Survey – Veem (issued mid-May)
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses (May 26, Main Street America)
• Yelp Coronavirus Economic Impact Report (industries doing well – those not doing so well)
• American Express Business Insights & Trends – COVID-19

• Small Business Stories of Hope, Innovation, New Opportunities, and "Pivoting"

  • Island Institute Commercial Currents – Business in Uncertain Times ~podcasts for 25 mns ea – 8 episodes
  • Why a recession can be a good time to start a business (BBC, June 18)
  • Maine pizza chain is expanding amid pandemic restrictions (June 17, BDN)
  • This Hermon company’s work dried up when coronavirus hit. Now it’s making masks for the long run. (June 17, BDN)
  • Pandemic staycationers lead to sales spike for Auburn awning company (June 15, PH)
  • Coronavirus: Three firms still positive despite the virus crisis (June 12, BBC)
  • Pandemic sparks bicycle boom, and Mainers overwhelm supply (June 11, PH)
  • The Wrap: A new coffee shop, Evo X opens, and cookies to fight racism (June 12, PH)
  • Duck diapers and chicken aprons a big hit. Who knew? (June 7, PH)
  • Sluggers visiting the Moosehead Lake region will be able to practice their swings at new indoor batting cage (June 11, BDN)
  • How 3 Maine businesses changed to cope with the coronavirus pandemic (June 11, BDN)
  • ‘Go ahead and do it’: Business trailblazers talk leadership in Mainebiz forum – Close to 600 registered for Wednesday’s Mainebiz Women’s Leadership Forum – June 11
  • ‘The days of queuing for fish and chips are gone’ (June 10, BBC)
  • Up Beat: An Allagash woman helped a man out a few years ago. Now he’s repaid the kindness. (June 1, BDN)
  • Small businesses fight the pandemic: Manufacturers, breweries and more change up production (May 18, MB)
  • Derailed for now, five small businesses make changes to stay on track (May 18, MB)
  • The Restaurants Transforming Into Grocery Stores – May 8 – New Yorker
  • She brings uplifting messages to the windows of local storefronts (May 20, BG)
  • Thinking on their feet: Restaurant owners adapt to changing times (May 18, MaineBiz)
  • Beyond the Call: How companies have stepped up during COVID-19 (Linked-In, May 12)
  • Heaven-sent help? Pittsfield church vestment maker pivots to PPE (Maine Biz, May 14)
  • Northeast Harbor entrepreneurs, unfazed by pandemic, will open restaurant and market (MaineBiz, May 15)
  • New partnership supports Maine dairy farmers and helps hungry Mainers (Good Shepherd Bank) – May 13, BDN
  • Maine brewery adapts to taproom closings with nearly statewide delivery routes (May 14, BDN)
  • Bill Nemitz: Saving lives and paying the bills, one gown at a time (portland Herald, May 14)
  • Drive-in movie theaters offer a bright spot in a darkened entertainment landscape in Maine (BDN, May 13)
  • What Maine cities and restaurants have to weigh before expanding outdoor dining (BDN, May 13)
  • Helping businesses pivot and provide during the coronavirus outbreak (May 11, Boston Globe)
  • Pineland Farms hits 300,000 pounds of food given away after Presque Isle event (May 11, BDN)
  • How Maine restaurants are adapting to a virus that could force many to close (May 11, BDN)
  • Luke’s Lobster, fishermen’s co-ops launch partnership for front-line workers (Maine Biz, May 6)
  • Portland maker of remote-working tools a finalist in Zoom competition
  • Sheep for a Cure: nonprofit raises funds for Cancer Care of Maine in Brewer
  • Daily Show Interview of Chef Jose Andres and his work with World Central Kitchen and Chefs for America (23:30 mark – May 6)
  • Maine Acts of Kindness: Craft beer becomes hospital-grade hand sanitizer
  • Despite the coronavirus pandemic, an Ellsworth brewery plans to expand to Bar Harbor (May 6, BDN)
  • How a Blue Hill church is using lobsters to jumpstart its local economy
  • Up Beat: Second-grader’s business helps feed kids across Eastern Maine
  • Coronavirus: Hairdresser makes ’emergency’ colour drop-offs (Apr 28)
  • Up Beat: How He-Man began delivering curbside food to customers in Levant (BDN – Apr 29)
  • Artist uses paintings to help military families during pandemic (BDN Apr 28)
  • Slow Money Maine Spring Newsletter with incredible stories from farmers and fishing families in every Maine County.  (Apr 28)
  • Maine’s dairy bars and creameries are still making us smile this spring
  • Some Good News (SGN) – spotlight on restaurants and restaurant workers (April 26 – Youtube – 15 mns)
  • Biddeford trucking company offers free service for pandemic response
  • Can’t find toilet paper? Add it to your order at one of these Portland restaurants.
  • The Maine businesses that have adapted to help fight the spread of COVID-19 (Apr 24)
  • Bike shops are busy as riders excitedly await warmer weather
  • Restaurants flood hospitals with food donations, despite hardships
  • Financial security of Maine businesses depends on innovation and your purchases (Apr 17)
  • Consumer Startups See New Demand From Coronavirus Crisis—and Hope It Sticks
  • Maine techies plan virtual brainstorming event to ‘flatten the curve’
  • Maine businesses learn to work through pandemic
  • Maine consumer businesses close temporarily, go online, try to adapt to pandemic
  • Why buying a share in a local farm’s season might be a very good investment this year
  • Maine Acts of Kindness: Farmer’s market yields food donations
  • Red Maple Inn owners use free time to renovate, but hope for swift return to normalcy (Apr 15)
  • Whoopie pies may save northern Maine diner during virus crisis (BDN – Apr 15)
  • Maine’s craft brewers get creative to keep the beer flowing
  • Maine ag operations see unprecedented demand amid coronavirus concerns
  • With restaurants shuttered, Maine fishermen and farmers pivot to sell directly to customers
  • As coronavirus threatens seafood economy, community fisheries find ways to stay afloat (Apr 15)
  • Restaurants have laid off thousands in wake of coronavirus—but ghost kitchens are hiring (Apr 15)
  • With showrooms shut down, Maine auto dealers focus on service and remote sales
  • Flowfold pivots to manufacturing protective gear for hospitals in the face of COVID-19 (Mar 25)

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  • Commercial Currents – Episode 8 – Primo Restaurant

• Wall Street Journal (WSJ) COVID-19 Updates (free)

  • Wall Street Journal COVID-19 Live Updates (free)
  • Small Businesses in Limbo as They Await Coronavirus Assistance for Them

• Bangor Daily News (BDN) - Business Section

  • Bangor Daily News Business Section
  • Now is the time to support Maine businesses (June 5, BDN)
  • Maine businesses on the brink worry about pandemic’s lingering effects (June 6, BDN)
  • Most Maine small businesses got federal aid but are low on cash, survey shows (May 19, BDN) – US Census Survey results
  • A flood of business bankruptcies likely in coming months (Apr 27)
  • She opened the vegan restaurant of her dreams. Then the coronavirus hit Maine.
  • Portland businesses call for rent freeze after some landlords refuse to budge
  • Protecting America’s backbone from the coronavirus
  • Preserving jobs and protecting small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic (Sen. Susan Collins)
  • Practical advice for [Maine] businesses in the time of COVID-19
  • How to support local businesses while practicing social distancing
  • How the coronavirus has caused ‘substantial economic injury’ to 14 Maine small businesses

• MaineBiz

  • MaineBiz website
  • No exit: The pandemic is creating a tough year for succession planning
  • Economic damage to small businesses continues to skyrocket, NFIB says
  • Tenants of innovative Black Box are microcosm of growing retail crisis
  • State responds to business disruptions with loans, unemployment relief, health care

• Portland Herald Business Section

  • Portland Herald Business Section
  • In an environment in which failure is commonplace even in the best of times, not all local startups have been able to survive the coronavirus disruption. (June 7, PH)
  • The Wrap: LB Kitchen West closes permanently – The food truck park in Wells will open June 4, and you can now buy Holy Donuts at Hannaford. (May 27, PH)
  • Number of working black business owners falls 40%, far more than other groups in pandemic (May 25, PH)
  • How you can help Maine businesses recover (5/23,)
  • Maine businesses expect heavy losses and job cuts this year, survey shows
  • Reopened businesses face pent-up demand on first day (May 1)
  • Back to work? Companies finding it easier said than done (Apr 21)
  • As paralysis grips Maine’s small businesses, policymakers pursue major relief
  • Can I stay open? A roadmap to tough choices for small business owners

• General Business News

  • ‘This is not business as usual’: You may start seeing a COVID-19 surcharge on your receipts (CTV, May 22)
  • With laid-off workers making more money collecting unemployment, businesses struggle to hire for the summer (BG, May 22)
  • Coronavirus: What does a ‘Covid-secure’ office look like? (BBC, May 13, 3 mns)
  • Income dries up as virus spreads (Ellsworth American)
  • New Jersey pizzeria borrows to keep workers on job during pandemic
  • Five things you can do NOW to stabilize your business. 
  • COVID-19 coronavirus survival tips for small businesses

Disclosure: MaineStream Finance is a mission-driven, nonprofit home and small business community development lender working with SBA and FAME, and we work with and are supported by several local and national banks, particularly Bangor Savings Bank, Bank of America (BOA), Camden National Bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, First National Bank, Machias Savings Bank, People’s United Bank, TD Bank, and Wells Fargo.    We promise to make sure you know all of your options and will never steer you to one financial institution over another due to our relationships.  At this time, we at MaineStream are not offering any special COVID-19 related loan products like the SBA PPP forgivable loan – you need to go to your local bank for PPP and to SBA.gov directly for the Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The best place to start for any help on existing or new loans is to start with your current financial institution – i.e. who has your bank accounts and credit cards? 

If you have existing loans for your business, there is no mandate that banks must delay payments or give you other support.  However, most banks and credit unions are providing support of up to 60-90 days of delayed payments.  Call your lender  as soon as possible about your business loans, credit cards, and vehicle loans to see what they can do when you mention you have a hardship due to COVID-19.

You can apply for a SBA Disaster Loan through the Federal Government, an SBA PPP loan through a bank, and other loans directly through FAME or FAME bank partners. There is now a new program announced through the US Federal Reserve called the Main Street Business Loan Program – details to come. BE ADVISED: we strongly caution small businesses from taking on loans at this time though – they must be paid back eventually! Most loan payments and other debt for existing debt with the banks can be delayed by up to 90 days (but you’ll still have to pay it back!). Many have promised to waive late fees and overdraft fees. Call your bank to check on these. BUYER BEWARE: PPP scams have already popped up – only work with a local SBA 7a lender (usually a local bank or credit union) or go directly to SBA.

Here are some general resources:

• Wipfli Business Finance Resources
• How to Handle a Cash-Flow Crisis Without Taking Out a High-Interest Loan
• Inc. Magazine Financial Assistance Tracker for Businesses Hit by the Coronavirus Crisis (updated daily)
• Forbes Up-to-Date List Of [National and Regional] Banks Offering Relief To Customers Affected By Coronavirus (COVID-19) (mostly large regional and national banks)
• Maine small-biz funding roundup: more loans, fintech and options for self-employed (MaineBiz, 4/22)
• LISC State-by-State Loan Programs

• Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) - Emergency Loan Programs for Small Businesses

  • Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) website
  • COVID-19 RELIEF LOAN PROGRAMS
  • Call: (800) 228-3734 or (207) 623-3263
  • Attachments required with signed application:
    • all guarantors (if they own 20% or more of business)
    • Sources & Uses: permanent working capital (relating to COVID-19)
    • Signed Employment Plan (only needed if more than 10 employees)
    • 2 years financial statements Borrower(s) & Guarantor(s); or last 2 years available tax returns for Borrower(s) & Guarantor(s)
    • Debt schedule for business
    • Personal Finance Statement for each guarantor with signatures, SSN#, and email address, authorizing FAME to pull credit report

• US Small Business Adminstration (SBA) - General

  • Coronavirus Emergency Loans – Small Business Guide and Checklist for Eligibility (EIDL vs. PPP – US Chamber and Maine Chamber)
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
  • SBA Maine Office
  • SBA Local Resource Partners in Maine (SBDC, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers)
  • Senate Committee Hotline on PPP and EIDL issues and scams: 1-855-303-9470
  • COVID Loan Tracker for SBA EIDL and PPP loans – an aggregator for applicants to track how overall clients are being served and funded. (on 4/17, 15,000 business owners entered their data)
    • Healthcare, Construction, and Retail are biggest overall applicants
    • 94% of EIDL and PPP applicants report not being funded yet

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  • Nonprofit lenders in Maine attempt to fill gaps between federal bailout programs (PH, May 18) – MaineStream, CEI, and Community Concepts, all CDFIs, launch emergency loans for small businesses who did not access SBA programs or did not receive enough.
  • Maine among states receiving highest percentage of pandemic loans, survey shows (PH, May 14)
  • SBA slashes disaster-loan cap to $150,000, shuts out nearly all new applicants (May 7 – Portland Herald)
  • Urgent question from small businesses: When will aid arrive?
  • Kauffman Foundation a guide to helping small businesses navigate and recover from the COVID-19 crisis
  • How to Apply for Small Business Loans Under the Coronavirus Stimulus Bill
  • Small Businesses Struggle With SBA Disaster Loan Applications

• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

  EIDL is the loan that is forgivable up to $10,000 – the rest is a loan at low interest rates, grace periods, and longer terms.  You apply directly to SBA for this loan (not a local bank).

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Application (up to $10,000 is forgivable)
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance
  • Maine is approved as a Disaster State

• SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans (forgivable)

  New: Summary of June PPP Changes (from Forbes – June 17):

  • Forgiveness made clearer and simpler for all
  • Forgiveness for self-employed and those who did not reduce employees can use an EZ Form
  • Auto-forgiveness for self-employed for up to $20,833
  • PPP Loans period extended to 5 years (from 2 years)
  • Covered period to spend extended to 6 months (from 2 mos.)
  • May spend 40% on non-payroll operating expenses (vs. 25% bef.)
  • Re-hire provision extended to Dec. 31 (from June 30)
  • EIDL is also back open particularly to farming and fishing.

  In April, BDN reported 1/10 small businesses received support. Top recipients: restaurants, hotels, law offices, and auto repair shops. A new allocation of $250 billion was made and about $136 million was left in early June – deadline June 30.

  This is the loan that is fully forgivable if you keep operations and employment going.  You can request up to eight (8) weeks of operational support.  You apply to a local bank a credit union that is a “7a” lender – the list of participating banks is below.  Congress appropriated $349 billion for this program, which seems like a lot, but it is for the entire country.  Most advise you to apply as soon as you can with your local bank – ideally the one you bank with already.  Gather your payroll reports, tax returns, and accounting records.  Funds may be used for payroll support, employee salaries, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and debt obligations incurred before the covered period. Some can be forgiven for 2.5 months of payroll (if no layoffs) – compared to prior to crisis. If not forgiven, can be deferred for a year.  See the section on Maine-based banks who are doing PPP loans.

  BUYER BEWARE: PPP scams have already popped up – only work with a local SBA 7a lender (usually a local bank or credit union) or go directly to SBA.  You as the borrower DO NOT PAY ANY FEES.

  • US Treasury Guidance on PPP
  • SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – (forgivable if all or most employees kept on payroll)
    • PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP) INFORMATION SHEET: BORROWERS
    • Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses
    • Sample application form
    • SBA find a PPP Lender tool
  • Lending institutions that are already approved for the SBA 7a program (Maine State Chamber of Commerce)

  Forgiveness

  • PPP Loan Forgiveness – Full Application – June 16
  • PPP Loan Forgiveness – EZ Application for self-employed and those who did not reduce employment by less than 25%
  • Resources/Guidance:
    • US Chamber of Commerce – Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
    • PPP: How to qualify for loan forgiveness – MaineBiz – Webinar 52 mns – June 11
    • CARES Act PPP Enforcement Escalates — A Toolkit for Common Production Requests (June 1) – McGuireWoods Law

  Tools/Resources

  • A Small Business Guide and Checklist for the Paycheck Protection Program
  • PPP Loan Cost Calculator template (Excel) (will go to your download folder)
  • NDC – Helping Entrepreneurs Complete Strong PPP applications (video – 1 hr.)
  • NCRC Applying for a Loan via SBA PPP (webinar – April 14)
  • National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders-PPP Resources
  • These are the states receiving most of the $350 billion in small business loans (USA Facts, Apr 17)

  PPP News

  • Self-employed and considering a PPP loan? There’s good news for you – Tax Guy – MarketWatch (June 19)
  • SBA Finally Clarifies PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules: Full Forgiveness For Self-Employed Borrowers (Forbes, June 17)
  • Forgivable federal loans are helping our Bangor small businesses (June 15, BDN)
  • Revamped emergency loan program remains a short-term fix (June 8, PH)
  • Senate passes small-business loan overhaul pushed by Angus King (June 4, BDN)
  • Maine businesses see changes to federal loan program as ‘step in the right direction’ (June 4, BDN)
  • Maine companies in bankruptcy sue federal agency for denying them emergency loans (May 27, PH)
  • SBA Releases Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application: A Deep Dive (May 16, Forbes)
  • How Maine businesses can navigate federal loan forgiveness (May 19, BDN)
  • “Maine banks handling smaller loans in 2nd bailout round, as policy debate rages” – CEO, Chris Linder, talks about the progress of Phase 2 for the SBA PPP loan forgiveness program. (May 8, Maine Biz)
  • Many hotels take early loan deferrals as banks look to stave off business closures (May 6 – BDN)
  • Maine small businesses with federal loans face hard decisions on what to do next
  • Amid a pandemic, community banks are more important than ever (Apr 28-BDN)
  • Self-Employed And Struggling? How To Choose Between Unemployment And The Paycheck Protection Program (Forbes Apr 19)
  • Maine fishermen say they missed out on pandemic relief program
  • Paycheck Protection Program Loans Exceed $2 Billion for 14,154 Maine Small Employers (Apr 15) – Sen. Collins
  • 1 in 10 Maine small businesses got federal loans. More waited as funds expired.
  • Ten Things We Need To Know About Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness (Apr 15)
  • Are SBA small business loans running out? Here’s what we know so far (4/13 – Fortune)
  • Small-business loan fund dwindles as virus aid package sputters in Congress
  • Maine businesses start receiving federal loans, but backlogs remain and many want changes (Apr 11 – BDN)
  • 3 strategies small business owners are using to get their SBA stimulus loans faster (Apr 8 – Fortune)
  • Susan Collins says new small business loan program needs at least $200B more (April 7)
  • Forgiveness provisions in coronavirus loan program may fall short for some small businesses (April 8)
  • More than 1,400 Maine applications so far for $410M in small-biz loans (April 6)
  • Problems Revealed for CUs as Quick Rollout of Paycheck Protection Program Begins
  • Scam targets small-business owners seeking payroll relief
  • Susan Collins on coronavirus, Trump and what Congress might do next
  • Coronavirus loan program delayed for independent contractors and self-employed workers
  • If they haven’t already, Maine small businesses should explore Paycheck Protection Program loans
  • How Maine small businesses can navigate new coronavirus aid programs
  • SBA Increases Rate, Clarifies Terms on Paycheck Protection Program Loans (ABA Banking Journal)
  • Treasury makes coronavirus loan terms less favorable for small businesses
  • Banks warn of chaotic launch of small business lending program
  • Small businesses have ‘a million questions’ about paycheck relief loan as applications come due
  • Banks brace for millions of small-business loan requests as Trump coronavirus plan is put to test
  • Crowded field of Maine businesses expected in race for $349B in small biz loans
  • How to get a small business loan under the $349 billion coronavirus aid bill – Questions and answers about the new federal ‘paycheck protection program.’ (Portland Press Herald)
  • What small business owners need to know about the $2 trillion stimulus package (Boston Globe)

• Maine-based Banks and Credit Unions participating in FAME and SBA emergency programs

  Here are the official tools for finding a lender – see below for more details on specific, Maine-based lenders in this program.

  • SBA find a PPP Lender tool
  • SBA 7a Approved Lenders in Maine (7a lenders cover PPP)
    • SBA Participating Lenders List in Maine (all lenders – not just PPP/7a)
  • Local Chambers of Commerce also have lists of bank and credit union branches that have confirmed they are taking PPP applications (reduces search time if your bank is not participating).  This will be updated regularly, but if one branch of a larger bank is doing it, it is likely your branch is doing it as well even if not listed.
    • Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce (Penobscot and Piscataquis counties)
    • PenBay Chamber list of participating banks in Rockland-Camden area. 

  The banks below are eligible to lend for SBA PPP – the highlighted ones are those who are moving forward and accepting applications that we know of – call them to be sure.  Understand that there may be overt or unwritten rules that they will serve current clients first or businesses of a certain size.  Best advice right now is if your bank or CU is highlighted below, call them ASAP if you want to move forward with PPP.  Those with an asterix (*) have a presence in Eastern Maine.

  • Androscoggin Bank
  • Atlantic Federal Credit Union
  • Bangor Savings Bank (SBA)*
  • Bank of America – Bank of America says 85,000 small businesses have asked for $22.2 billion in loans since 9 a.m. “The bank is prioritizing existing customers with online accounts who are active borrowers as of last month, meaning that even longtime customers are being initially shut out of the application process.”
  • Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (SBA and FAME)
  • Bath Savings
  • Biddeford Savings – Maine Community Bank
  • Camden National Bank (FAME and SBA)*
  • Eastern Maine Development Corp (EMDC)- may consider it soon – is eligible
  • First National Bank* (SBA)
  • Franklin Savings Bank
  • Gorham Savings Bank (SBA)
  • Infinity Credit Union*
  • JP Morgan Chase (SBA)
  • Katahdin Trust
  • Kennebunk Savings Bank
  • Key Bank (SBA)*
  • Live Oak Bank
  • Machias Savings Bank (FAME and SBA)*
  • Norway Savings Bank
  • Partners Bank
  • People’s United Bank 
  • Saco & Biddeford Savings Bank
  • Seaboard Credit Union
  • Stearns Bank
  • Skowhegan Savings Bank (FAME and SBA)*
  • TD Bank (SBA)*
  • University Credit Union (FAME and SBA)*

  National Search tools and lists

  • Gusto: PPP Banks / Lenders Status
  • Forbes: Banks And Fintech Companies Accepting Paycheck Protection Program Loan Applications From New And Non-Bank Customers
  • Fortune: these are the [national] banks and lenders currently accepting SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan applications (Apr 6)
  • Paycheck Assist – SBA Lenders

  Other national lenders: 

  • Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF – MN) is a US-Treasury certified community development financial institution (CDFI) like MaineStream Finance and an SBA 7a Community Advantage lender, which MaineStream is not.  They may be able to help if you cannot get through to a bank above – but unfortunately, right now, they are only able to help current clients because there is such high demand.  You can keep watching their website in case they open it back up.
  • Paypal, Square and Intuit are now allowed to do PPP loans. 

• Federal Reserve Main Street Lending Program

  • New lending programs to launch by June 1, Federal Reserve chief says (May 19, BDN)
  • Federal Reserve takes additional actions to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support the economy
  • Main Street New Loan Facility
  • Federal Reserve unveils details of $2.3 trillion in programs to help support the economy (CNBC-April 9)

   

• Other (online) national lenders

  • Paypal Working Capital
  • Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loans
  • KIVA Emergency Loans for Small Businesses
  • Mainvest Main Street Initiative ($2,000 – 0% interest loan)
  • Wefunder Emergency funding for your business during the coronavirus crisis

• Other US Federal programs for Small Businesses

  • US Economic Development Administration – EDA (US Dept. of Commerce) – EDA and Disaster Recovery
    • EDA Funding Opportunities – Latest EDA Grants
    • EDA News and
    • EDA Maine Economic Development Directory
  • US HUD – Community Development Block Grants FAQs (contact your local town for an application – please note may take several weeks past March 27)
  • USDA Rural Development – Rural Business Cooperative Service Updates (particularly re: business loan deferments, etc.)
    • Business & Industry Loan Program (all business types)
    • Effective March 31, 2020 until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees.
  • Maine small businesses, lenders scramble to navigate federal aid package

• Small Business Banking and Finance - News articles

  • Maine small-biz funding roundup: more loans, fintech and options for self-employed (MaineBiz, 4/22)
  • As coronavirus swamps Maine businesses, financial lifeboats are launched

Below are some great sources of grants, in-kind donations, business rebates and reductions of service prices, etc.  Also, look in the Trade Association/Trade-specific section of this web-page – there are specific sources of help there as well, e.g. restaurants, farming, etc.  Note: we are trying to keep up with these grant sources, but they are fast moving.  Many have run out of funds and are fundraising again.  Also be careful of scams.

Gift Certificates support – ordering out, etc. 

• Pay it Forward Maine (Portland Chamber and many others)
  • #WeAreMaineStrong – Gift Cards for Local Businesses
• Stay at Home Maine
• Kabbage Gift Certificates to Support Small Businesses
• Experience Maine Made – 20% of profits when you buy Maine Made products go to Maine Tourism Fund

Cash Donations/Grants

• Amber Grant for Women’s Business
• FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
• Salesforce Care for Small Business Financial Relief for Small Businesses ($10,000)
• Save Small Business – US Chamber of Commerce (live 4/20)
• Hello Alice Business Resource Center
  • Hello Alice $10,000 Grant
  • Other Small Business Financial Aid
• Facebook business grants and ad credits (very West Coast focused – Maine not included)
• Family Worker’s Fund (not taking applications yet as of 4/14/20)
• Go Fund Me – Small Business Relief Initiative
• Red Backpack Fund/Spanx – $5,000 grants to women entrepreneurs
• Paypal – AEO Empowerment Grant for Black Businesses (temp. on hold while fundraising – June 16)
• Shea Moisture.com $1 million Community Commerce Fund minority-owned businesses
• Thryv Foundation (temp. closed due to volume – keep checking)
  • Resource page – particularly on going virtual for businesses that are not typically virtual like plumbers, nurseries, cosmetology college, etc.
• Verizon-LISC Small Business Recovery Fund

General Sources and Lists for Relief Funds and other Support to Small Biz

• Candid and Grantspace list of resources for Small Businesses
• COVIDcap.com Case – Fuqua School of Business Duke’s COVID19 – capital relief resource center (choose national or regional at bottom)
• Google COVID-19: $800+ million to support small businesses and crisis response
• Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR) Information on COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Programs
• Main Street America – COVID-19 Main Street Resources
• US Chamber of Commerce Corporate Aid Tracker: COVID-19 Business in Action
• Small Business Relief Tracker: Funding, Grants And Resources For Business Owners Grappling With Coronavirus (Fortune – updated daily)

Credits/Discounts – time-limited free stuff

• Google COVID-19 Ad credits

News

• As small businesses falter, Big Tech lends a hand (BG, May 11)

Maine DECD and it’s Business Answers tool and call line are a great place to get started when looking for help for your small business.  Here you will also find what businesses can remain open and what operational restrictions they must operate under to be safe for employees and customers. For example, Gov. Mills early April Stay at Home Order limits how many people can be in essential stores at a time.

• Maine Department of Economic Development (DECD) Main Site
• Maine Business Answers / Maine Department of Economic Development (DECD), call 1-800-872-3838 or email business.answers@maine.gov
• Essential Business Operations Definitions
  • Essential Service Designation Request
• Resources for Maine Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Maine Resource Compass – DECD and Startup Space – financial assistance, events, guides, etc.
  • Financial Resources in Response to COVID-19
• Startups Step Up – for businesses who are working on ideas to combat COVID-19 – funding is available – DECD – Village Capital – Sorenson Impact Foundation
• Kaiser Family Foundation State Data and Policy Actions to Address Coronavirus

Governor Mills Orders – Re-Opening

• COVID-19 Response – Office of the Governor
• Governor Mills Presents Safe, Gradual Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy (official-Apr 28)
  • Restarting Maine’s Economy Toolkit
  • COVID-19 Prevention Checklists [by industry]
  • COVID-19 Checklist Compliance Form
  • Read the timeline for reopening Maine’s economy
    • Stage 1 openings-May 1: Barber shops, hair salons and pet grooming, auto dealers and car washes
    • Stage 2-June 1: restaurants, fitness centers, nail technicians, retail stores, lodging and campgrounds (limited), kid daycamps
    • Stage 3-July 1: all lodging, campgrounds, summer camps or RV parks for Maine residents and visitors, outdoor recreation such as charter boats and boat excursions, bars, personal services such as spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, and massage facilities
    • Stage 4 (likely Aug – undetermined): lifting restrictions and allowing all businesses and activities to resume with appropriate safety precautions. Cruises of over 50 passengers likely to still be on hold.
  • Updates to Re-opening Plan
    • Mills Administration Announces That Indoor Dining in Androscoggin, Cumberland & York Counties Can Resume on June 17 With Added Health and Safety Precautions (June 15)
    • Mills Administration Accelerates Start Date for Lodging Establishments to Serve Out-of-State Visitors (June 12)
    • Keep Maine Healthy (June 8)
      • Mills Administration Unveils “Keep Maine Healthy” Plan to Protect Maine People, Visitors & Support Small Businesses During Tourism Season (June 8) on an alternative to 14-day quarantine for out-of-state tourists
    • Mills accelerates reopening for bars, tasting rooms and gyms in 13 counties (June 4, PH)
    • Governor Mills Issues Executive Order Allowing for Easing of Restrictions As Restarting Maine Plan Progresses (May 29)
      • Executive Order
    • Mills Administration Announces Update to Restarting Maine’s Economy Plan- Administration restricts reopening of restaurants in Androscoggin, Cumberland and York Counties to outside service only (May 27)
    • Mills Administration Updates Plan to Restart Maine’s Economy – campgrounds can open – delays opening for gyms and nail salons (May 19)
    • Mills Administration Allows Lodging Reservations For Future Stays (May 14)
    • Governor Mills Introduces Rural Reopening Plan (May 8)
    • Governor Mills Convenes Expert Committee to Advise on State’s Economic Recovery (May 6)
    • Governor Mills on Guidelines for Reopening the Economy (Apr 17)
• Governor Mills Takes Step to Protect Maine Workers Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus
• AN ORDER REGARDING FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC CONTACT AND MOVEMENT, SCHOOLS, VEHICLE TRAVEL AND RETAIL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

News

• Maine business owners frustrated by New England’s patchwork of travel restrictions (June 18, BDN)
• What you need to know about the new testing option for out-of-staters (June 12, BDN)
• State teases app it says helps visitors to meet pandemic mandates (June 11, BDN)
• Maine lets visitors skip quarantine with tests that aren’t always widely available (June 9, BDN)
• Questions and answers about tourism quarantines and testing (June 8, PH)
• Maine eases quarantine rule for visitors as virus testing expands (June 8, PH)
• Restaurant owners sue Mills over reopening plan (June 8, PH)
• Analysis: Trump called Mills a ‘dictator’ over reopening. Her plan is relatively middle of the road. (BDN, June 5)
• Mills accelerates reopening for bars, tasting rooms and gyms in 13 counties (June 4, PH)
• Maine proposes tourists show negative coronavirus test to skip 14-day quarantine (June 3, BDN)
• Maine is planning alternative to 14-day quarantine for out-of-state visitors (June 3, BDN)
• Mills orders Maine businesses to post mask requirements for COVID-19 (May 29, PH)
• With more businesses reopening, Maine updates a slew of safety checklists (May 27, BDN)
• Top Maine official hints at broader rural reopenings, new approach to tourist quarantine (May 20, BDN)
• Campgrounds can reopen Friday for Mainers, but gyms and nail salon openings delayed (May 19, BDN)
• Small businesses urge Mills to slow the reopening of Maine (May 18, BDN)
• Calais declares city ‘open for business’ despite state-mandated restrictions (PH, May 15)
• State says hotels can reopen, but industry left with more questions than clarity (May 15, PH)
• Campgrounds, restaurants sue to block Gov. Mills’ quarantine rules for out-of-staters (May 15, PH)
• Nine Maine businesses sue Gov. Janet Mills over shutdowns (May 8, Portland Herald)
• Maine joins small group of states in reopening some regions before others (May 8, BDN)
• Business owners sue Gov. Janet Mills to end shutdown (May 9, BDN)
• Janet Mills hints at regional reopening of Maine economy, relaxing other rollout plans
• How Janet Mills’ plan to reopen the economy compares to those in other states (BDN, May 6)
• Some Maine businesses can reopen Friday, but many could stay closed deep into summer (Apr 28 – BDN)

COVID-related issues – re-opening

Maine

• Back to Business Maine toolkit – Portland Chamber (issued May 22)
• COVID-19 Recovery Toolkit – Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and Greater Bangor Visitors Bureau (issued June 5)
• MEMIC Pandemic Recovery Safety Planning
• Maine Biz Webcast Series – What does “Open” Look Like
  • Part One – 1 hr – early June

National

• OSHA COVID-19 Resource Center
  • Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – US Dept of Labor/OSHA
• Re-Open Main Street – Michigan tools for retail, restaurants, service businesses, and the arts.
• Maine Street Forward – A Roadmap to Recovery
• Traveler’s Insurance Re-Open for Business toolkit
• Yelp Resources for businesses reopening during COVID-19
• Fortune Rebuild Program (webinars with experts throughout the summer)
  • How to Reopen Resources

General Continuity/Disaster Planning tools

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Resource for Business and Employers
• Disaster Resistant Business (DRB) Toolkit
• FEMA Business Continuity Plan toolkit
• US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA – US DOL) COVID-19 Resources 
• Ready.gov Disaster Planning for businesses
• Restore Your Economy Assistance for Businesses/Employers
• SBA Business Emergencies Preparation Toolkit
• A COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS PLAN HELPS YOUR BUSINESS MANAGE RISKS (Family Buisness MAgazine)
• Coronavirus Preparedness Tips for Local Businesses (NextDoor)

• General Re-opening News

  • Virus case counts continue to drop, hospitalizations flat as Maine accelerates reopening (June 17, BDN)
  • A guide to the businesses that can reopen in Maine today (June 17, BDN)
  • Businesses ask patrons to waive legal rights if they get sick with coronavirus (June 16, BDN)
  • Venturing out? Here’s how to reduce risk of COVID-19 infection, according to the CDC (BG, June 13)
  • What you need to know about the new testing option for out-of-staters (June 12, BDN)
  • The answers to your questions on Maine’s ever-changing economic reopening (BDN, June 10)
  • How to reopen your business so it’s safe for both employees and customers (June 3, Fortune)
  • What’s it really like to try and reopen a business? (June 8, BG)
  • Businesses Struggle to Open After Being Hit a Third Time (WSJ, June 6)
  • South Portland warns reopening businesses not to block exits (June 4, PH)
  • What to look for if you want to stay safe as Maine reopens (June 2, PH)
  • These are the types of businesses reopening in Maine today (June 1, BDN)
  • Maine businesses can deny people without face coverings, but there is still a loophole (May 29, BDN)
  • Maine business openings Monday expected to be ‘slow and cautious’ (June 1, PH)
  • Here’s the latest on what’s open, what’s closed and what’s next (May 30, PH)
  • The answers to your questions on Maine’s ever-changing economic reopening (May 28, BDN)
  • How rural areas under virus constraints fared over Memorial Day weekend (BDN, May 26)
  • Cleaning isn’t just cleaning anymore. It’s a major consumer confidence play (May 25, BG)
  • Central Maine restaurants report varied business during first week open

If your employees are furloughed, laid off, self-quarantined, or self-selected to not work because of COVID-19, they most likely qualify for unemployment insurance in Maine. Most of the support for your employees, if they do go on unemployment, will need to be directed by the employee.  But you can help – put in phone calls – and help them confirm employment.  Everything is going through Maine DOL. The CARES Act provides an Employee Retention Tax Credit to companies that retain employees on payroll and cover 50% of workers’ paychecks and the SBA Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loan should also help keep your employees employed (see section on banking).

Self-employed, sole proprietors are covered if they are incorporated. However, most independent contractors, small business owners and other self-employed individuals are not incorporated, do not contribute to unemployment taxes, and are not eligible for unemployment benefits typically through Maine DOL [SBDC]. The new Federal Stimulus Package or CARES Act allows for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through December 31 for the self-employed – but wait for directions from Maine DOL before filing though!  

If you are a company with more than 50 employees and less than 500 employees (51 to 499), then you must offer extended paid family medical leave or paid sick leave from April 1 to December 31. We are hoping the Federal government will help employers pay for it, especially if this extends to all employers. It looks like if you are a company of 50 employees or less, you may be exempted – but we won’t know until April when new rules are out.

Here are some general resources for employers:

Maine

• Maine Chamber of Commerce Maine DOL Unemployment FAQ (early April)
• MEMIC COVID-19 Policyholder and Injured Worker Update
• KMA HR Consulting (Falmouth, ME) COVID-19 Resource Page for Employers

National

• Financial Health Network – The Role Of The Workplace: Worker
  Financial Health In The Coronavirus Crisis
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
• What Are Companies’ Legal Obligations Around Coronavirus? (HBR)
• National Governor’s Association (NGA) Workforce and Labor Resource Page
• National Law Review – Coronavirus Updates
  • Families First, FMLA leave, Paid Sick Leave

Maine

• Maine Business Immigration Coalition (MEBIC) – COVID-19 News
  • MeBIC Resources for Employers with Immigrant Employees (Spanish, French, Portuguese, Somali)
  • Best practices for Maine’s Employers for Communications
    to Immigrant Staff Related to COVID-19

• Maine Department of Labor (Maine DOL)

  • Unemployment claims site-Employer Resources
  • Resources for Workers and Businesses on COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Unemployment Insurance FAQs Regarding COVID-19
  • ME DOL Workshare option (instead of layoffs)

• US Department of Labor (US DOL)

  • US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB – DOL)
  • Coronavirus Resources
  • COVID-19 and the Workplace
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Expanded Family and Medical Leave Requirements
  • Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers
  • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PUBLISHES GUIDANCE EXPLAINING PAID SICK LEAVE AND EXPANDED FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE UNDER THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT – March 24
  • Guidance on Preparing Workplaces

• Local Maine Law Firms - FAQs/guidance

  • Maine Free Legal Answers (American Bar Association)
  • Eaton Peabody – COVID-19 updates
  • Rudman Winchell COVID-19 Coronavirus updates on Workplace Impact
  • Bernstein Shur – Updates on Corona VirusCorona Virus Response
    • Webinar – Coronavirus: Legal and Practical Tips for Businesses and Employers
  • Drummond Woodsum updates
  • Lambert Coffin: Navigating the Government Response to COVID-19: A Guide for Employers (Apr 29)
  • Preti Flaherty – Updates
  • Verill Dana Information on COVID-19

• Employment - HR - Legal - General News

  • Most employers not taking advantage of state program to retain workers (PH, June 19)
  • Do’s and don’ts of bringing people back to the office (May 28, PH)
  • I have been told to return to work but I worry it won’t be safe. What can I do? (Boston Globe, May 12)
  • How to protect your business from a coronavirus-related lawsuit (May 11, BDN, Verrill Dana)
  • Lawsuits may be next battleground for businesses as pandemic economy reopens (May 11, BDN)
  • Maine employers must go paperless when submitting layoff information (MaineBiz, Apr 17)
  • Thousands of OSHA complaints filed against companies for virus workplace safety concerns (Apr 16 – Portland Herald)
  • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: What It Does For Employees Who Need Paid Sick Leave
  • Maine workforce officials say economic impact from virus unknown, but resources coming
  • How Employers Can Reduce the Financial Burden of COVID-19: 3 Key Webinar Takeaways
  • 5 Steps To Offer Paid Leave At Your Small Business Without Dinging Your Budget
  • Trump signs emergency coronavirus bill expanding FMLA and granting paid sick leave

• Benefits - Health Insurance for Employees

  • We asked Maine’s largest employers: What’s your COVID-19 sick leave policy? (WGME – April 12)
  • AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO GROUP HEALTH CONTINUATION COVERAGE UNDER COBRA EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION – UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
  • CoverMe.gov – Maintaining Coverage for Employees
  • Best Practices: How to Create Emergency Cash Programs [for your employees] – Commonwealth – Apr 20
    • Helping Employers Navigate the Financial Toll of COVID-19 on Their Employees (webinar 3/26)

Many cities, towns, and local chambers of commerce are doing their best to help keep our small businesses afloat by providing up-to-date information and listing out which businesses are still open.  Look for your local chamber or city’s economic development department website below.

Here are some general resources and news articles on how local small businesses are faring:

• DownEast Magazine – A guide to Maine businesses working through the pandemic to safely serve their communities.
• Island Institute Business Resilience Grants & Loans (for businesses in any coastal communities or islands on the Maine Coast affected by COVID-19)

• Maine State Chamber of Commerce (MSCC)

  • Maine State Chamber of Commerce website
    • Taking Care of Business during the COVID-19 crisis in Maine
    • Tool for finding all chambers across the state
    • ME Counting on You – campaign to respect business requirements for social distancing
  • Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
    • Re-starting Maine’s Economy survey-May 13 and addendum

  News

  • Maine chambers gather business input on safely reopening state’s economy
  • Chambers look to support economy after Mills’ order halts dining in, gatherings

• Greater Bangor - City of Bangor and Bangor Region Chamber - Brewer - Orono

  City of Bangor 

  • City of Bangor – Economic Development
  • Local Food Pickup, Curbside, & Delivery
  • Greater Bangor Grocery, Pharamacy and other Retail (open/closed)

  City of Brewer

  • City of Brewer – Economic Development Department
  • Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

  City of Old Town

  • City of Old Town COVID-19 Response (Facebook)
    • Old Town Economic Development

  Town of Orono

  • Orono Connects
    • Support Orono’s Restaurants
    • Resources for small businesses
  • Economic Development team

  Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce (BRCC)

  • Better Together – Community Support during COVID-19 – helping local restaurants -BRCC and Greater Bangor Visitor & Convention Bureau
  • Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce website
  • Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Facebook Page
  • Online Events on Facebook: Live Q&A with BRCC and Rundman Winchell Every Monday at 3 PM, Live Weekly Chamber Updates Every Tuesday at 3 PM, Member Checkin every Wednesday at 3 PM.

  Visit Bangor – Greater Bangor Visitor Center

  • COVID-19 Resource Page
  • Support Greater Bangor Regional Businesses! – updates on restaurant openings, grocery, pharmacies and other retail
  • GBVC Facebook Page

  Downtown Bangor Partnership

  • Downtown businesses will have help from The Downtown Bangor Partnership providing disposable masks at the door (may 28, BDN)

  News

  • Bangor closes part of downtown street to cars until Labor Day (June 12, BDN)
  • Bangor business owners critical of closing downtown streets this summer (May 27, BDN)
  • Bangor could close these downtown streets for retail and dining service this summer (May 26, BDN)
  • Bangor’s new coronavirus business restrictions are the strictest in Maine
  • Bangor expands emergency regulations
  • Here are the Bangor restaurants and stores offering pickup and delivery
  • Bangor-area businesses have short-term concerns — and no idea what the long term holds

• Greater Portland - City of Portland and Portland Region Chamber of Commerce

  City of Portland

  • City of Portland – Economic Development
    • Council Approves Three COVID-19 Business Loan and Grant Programs (May 5)
      • COVID-19 Portland Business Assistance Program for Job Creation (Rehiring) ($2,500)
      • COVID-19 Portland Microenterprise Grant Program (MGP) ($2,500)
      • COVID-19 Portland Rapid Response Micro Loan Program (10,000 – 50% can be forgiven)
    • Government Assistance to Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
    • Grants programs
    • Commercial Loans

  Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG)

  • • Rapid Response Microloan Program
    • Loan Program for Small Businesses
    • Resilience Exchange

  Portland Region Chamber of Commerce

  • Takeout and Delivery Options (Portland Herald)
    • Bars
  • Back to Business Maine toolkit – Portland Chamber (issued May 22)

  News

  • Portland modifies business aid program, starts second round of funding (June 17, PH)
  • Portland on-street business program grows as city mulls enhancements (June 10, MB)
  • Old Port businesses pick up the pieces from protest that gave way to vandalism and break-ins (June 4, PH)
  • Portland votes to shut down streets to help downtown businesses during pandemic (BDN, May 18)
  • Portland’s plan for downtown open-air market gets first OK (May 14, BDN)
  • Portland mulling plan to launch downtown open-air market (May 12, BDN)
  • More loans, grants available for Portland-area businesses
  • Portland reverses new restrictions blasted by small business owners as overreach

• Mid-Coast - Belfast - Camden - Rockland

  PenBay Chamber

  • PenBay Chamber – COVID Updates (Camden-Rockland)
    • Who’s Open?
    • Opportunity Knox – Pay Now – Benefit Later – supporting local businesses

  Belfast

  • Belfast Chamber of Commerce updates and business openings/closures
  • City of Belfast
    • Belfast KTF Fund Grocery Vouchers (starts Monday, April 20) email: deputyclerk@cityofbelfast.org or call (207)338-3370 ext 131 and leave your name and phone number.
    • Keep the Faith Fund – Small Business Grants, economicdevelopment@cityofbelfast.org or call (207)338-3370 ext 116
    • COVID-19 Response Letter (May 6)

  Rockland

  • City of Rockland
    • City of Rockland Offers Business Loan Program
  • News
    • Rockland will use taxpayer-funded loans to bail out businesses hurt by coronavirus (May 28, BDN)
    • Rockland struggles to find ways to buoy businesses during pandemic
    • Rockland OKs turning Main Street into walking plaza for restaurants and shops (May 11, BDN)
    • Rockland leaders may turn downtown into an open-air market to comply with social distancing protocols (Apr 30 – BDN)

• Downeast - Washington - Hancock Counties

  Sunrise County Economic Council

  • Resources for Maine Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 (Washington County/Machias)

   

  Bar Harbor – Mount Desert Islander (MDI)

  • • Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce
    • Some eateries, businesses remain open on MDI – Updated
    • www.visitbarharbor.com 
    • Keeping Bar Harbor Safe – visitor code of conduct
    • News
      • On MDI, summer residents rally to help local businesses with $800K boost (MaineBiz, June 16)
      • After a slow summer start, Bar Harbor businesses fear for survival (May 29, BDN)
      • With Acadia preparing to open, Bar Harbor wonders if visitors will come (May 29, MaineBiz)

  Bucksport

  • Town of Bucksport Office of Community & Economic Development
    • Bucksport OK’s aid for hard-hit businesses and residents — with former residents’ $60K gift

  Calais

  • Calais declares city ‘open for business’ despite state-mandated restrictions (PH, May 15)

  Eastport

  • Eastport Area Chamber of Commerce Covid-19 Related Resources for the Travel/Tourism Industry

  Ellsworth

  • Heart of Ellsworth COVID-19 Business Resources
  • Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Updates

• Southern Maine - Bath - Brunswick, - Gorham - OOB - York Beach

  Bath

  • City of Bath
    • Economic Relief Bridge Loan Program

  Brunswick

  • Brunswick Pandemic Emergency Loan Fund

  Freeport

  • Freeport considers blocking a part of Main Street to allow more outdoor space for businesses, pedestrians (PH, June 18)

  Gorham

  • Gorham declares itself open for business, but state rules still apply

  Old Orchard Beach

  • In one of Maine’s tourist hot spots, there’s still a ray of hope for a successful summer (May 21, BDN)

  York Beach

  • Businesses struggle to survive in strangely quiet York Beach (June 16, PH)

• Central Maine - Kennebec - Skowhegan - Augusta - Gardiner

  Augusta – Gardiner

  • Kennebec Valley Downtown Relief Fund – Gardiner Main Street
  • Augusta, Gardiner downtown associations partner on emergency business grants

  Skowhegan

  • Skowhegan grant program writes checks to 23 businesses (June 11, MaineBiz)

• Northern Maine - Aroostook - N. Penobscot - Piscataquis

  Aroostook – Fort Kent

  • Greater Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce (click on the Special Edition Newsletters)

  N. Penobscot – Millinocket – E. Millinocket

  • Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce

  Piscataquis County – Dover-Foxcroft

  • Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce
  • Piscataquis County Economic Develpment Council (PCEDC)

• General News - Local Responses - Cities and Chambers

  • How these Maine cities plan to save summer (May 21, BDN)
  • Maine cities get new federal funds and plan to share with local businesses (Biddeford, Portland, Cumberland County – Portland Herald, May 4)
  • As businesses try to stay afloat, Portland loosens rules, Bangor and L-A add resources (Apr 21 – Mainebiz)

For Unemployment in Maine, the Self-employed, sole proprietors are covered right now if they are incorporated. However, most independent contractors, small business owners and other self-employed individuals are not incorporated, do not contribute to unemployment taxes, and are not eligible for unemployment benefits.  The CAREs act does allow the self-employed to draw unemployment but Maine DOL is still not ready as of April 18, 2020.

The self-employed can also apply for SBA EIDL and PPP loans but do it as soon as you can with the bank you are with currently (see SBA section above under banking and finance).  Many banks are favoring existing and bigger clients.  The FAME loans above also allow for self-employed somewhat.  Unfortunately, as of 4/18/20, all of these programs are fully allocated.

Maine DOL – unemployment for the self employed. Unemployment for the self-employed in Maine starts May 1.  Directions of getting started are on the following webpage:

• • • Maine Department of Labor – Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Page for the self-employed (Opens Friday, May 1)
    • Official Press Release: Department of Labor to Accept Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Applications May 1
    • After delay, Maine says self-employed workers can file for unemployment on Friday (BDN, 4/28)
  • Self-employed people—who are understandably eager for the roll out of this program–can start preparing to apply by gathering the following tax schedules: Federal Tax Return -1040 (2018 or2019), Schedule C- sole proprietor, Schedule F- Farmers, Schedule J— Fa
  • Info sheet for self-employed: basic guidance is to gather your tax returns for 2019.  Other Federal programs have allowed 2018 and interim 2019 Schedule Cs, etc.  So probably should have 2018 ready and prep for 2019 as much as you can.
  • Unemployment Insurance FAQs Regarding COVID-19 (pp. 8-10)

Donations/Financial Assistance

• Leveler – Peer to Peer Wealth Distribution (focused on freelancers – service workers, and gig economy workers)
• One Fair Wage Emergency Fund
• Freelancers Relief Fund
• Working Lab – Worker’s Fund (for gig workers and contractors)

SBA – PPP/EIDL

• Self-Employed And Struggling? How To Choose Between Unemployment And The Paycheck Protection Program (Forbes Apr 19)

National Resources

• Independent Contractor’s Guide to CARES Act Relief (US Chamber) – SBA PPP and EIDL loans versus Unemployment
• Freelancer’s Union
• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) 

News

• Some self-employed workers will get benefits automatically in new program launching Friday (Apr 30 BDN)
• Most unemployed Mainers don’t receive benefits. The coronavirus highlighted their plight.
• Maine lags as most states expand unemployment to self-employed workers
• Self-employed workers languish as Maine awaits federal guidance on unemployment program (Apr 6)

The big news for taxes is that state and federal tax filings are delayed until July 15. The IRS has also launched People First initiative (to work out and defer payment plans etc.) The new Federal Stimulus package or CARES act also allows a few items for employers under tax payments:

• Employee Retention Tax Credit to companies that retain employees on payroll and cover 50% of workers’ paychecks.
• Can defer paying into social security – half ’til 12/31/20 and the other half til 12/31/22.

Here are the links to MRS (Maine) and the IRS (US) websites:

• Maine Revenue Tax Service – March Tax Alert
• US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses
  • Deferral of employment tax deposits and payments through December 31, 2020
  • March 26 – IRS unveils new People First Initiative; COVID-19 effort temporarily adjusts, suspends key compliance program
  • IRS: Three new credits are available to many businesses hit by COVID-19 (May 7) – Employee Retention Credit, Paid Sick Leav Credit, Family Leave Credit. 
  • IRS Notice 2020-32 – May – non-deductibility of expenses paid for by PPP
• Tax Foundation – States’ Response to COVID-19

General Resources

• Quickbooks – Backing you during the coronavirus outbreak
• Square Immediate Support Response

• Accounting Firms Responses to COVID-19 - Resources & Guidance

  Maine-based

  • BerryDunn COVID-19 Response
    • Tax Update
  • WIPFLI CPAs and Consultants COVID-19 Resource Center
    • Webinar: COVID-19, qualified businesses, individuals and nonprofits: What’s next? (3/27)
    • COVID-19 and commercial real estate: 3 steps to take now
    • Top 5 balance sheet assets small businesses can turn into cash
    • Wipfli Business Finance Resources
    • Articles and ebooks

  Big 4 – National Accounting Firms

  • Deloitte Touche Tomatsu
  • Ernst & Young (E&Y) COVID-19 Response
  • KPMG – Resilience page
  • Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) – COVID-19

  News

  • Coronavirus-Related Tax Relief For The Real Estate And Agricultural Industries

Below you will find resources for industries that are critical to Maine.

Here are some of the larger, national trade associations for small businesses and their COVID-19 responses:

• US Chamber of Commerce
• AFL/CIO Industry-specific resources
• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) COVID-19 resources
• National Federal of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Coronavirus Updates

Here are the Maine-based trade associations for small businesses:

• Maine State Chamber of Commerce website – Taking Care of Business during the COVID-19 crisis in Maine
• Maine International Trade Center (MITC) Resource for COVID-19
• [Maine] Institute for Family Owned Business (IFOB) COVID-19 Resources
• Maine Small Business Coalition

• Creatives - Makers - Artists

  Maine

  • Maine Crafts Association (MCA) COVID-19 UPDATES & INFORMATION
  • Experience Maine Made – 20% of profits when you buy Maine Made products go to Maine Tourism Fund
  • Arts Engage ME – COVID-19 Resource Page and Relief Funds List
    • Maine Artist Relief Fund
  • Maine Visual Artist Emergency Grants
  • Portland Maine Artist Relief Fund

  National

  • Americans for the Arts Coronavirus Resource and Response Center
  • Art Newspaper
  • Creative Capital – Arts Resources during COVID-19
    • Coping with COVID: Financial Implications for Creative Individuals (webinar)
  • CERF+ – the Artists Safety Net
  • COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
  • Etsy – #StandwithSmall
    • Etsy – Working To Support Small Businesses During COVID-19
  • NATIONAL COALITION FOR ARTS’ PREPAREDNESS & EMERGENCY RESPONSE (NCAPER)
  • Springboard for the Arts – Coronavirus Resources for Artists & Creative Workers
  • Reopen Main Street – Arts and Cultural Attractions – tools

  Donations/Grants

  • Grant Funds Lists:
    • New York Foundation for the Arts – Comprehensive Emergency Grant List for Artists
    • Artists At Risk Connection COVID-19 Resources for Artists
    • CERF+ Emergency Financial Assistance List
    • COVID-19 & Freelance Artists – Emergency Funding List
    • COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources
      • Relief Funds List
  • Actual Grants/Donations Funds
    • Haystack Mt School of Crafts – for Artists on Deer Isle
    • Alliance of Artists Communities ($1,000)
    • Artist Relief – $5,000 grant

  • • Artist Relief Project
    • Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
    • CERF+ Get Ready Grants ($500)
    • Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) ($1,500)
    • Muscians Foundation ($500 – $3,000)
    • RAUSCHENBERG EMERGENCY GRANTS ($5,000)
  • Grants reportedly on hold until have more funds (keep checking)
    • ANONYMOUS WAS A WOMAN EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANT – New York Foundation for the Arts ($2,500 to female visual artists)
    • Artist + Activist Relief Fund – SOZE Agency
    • Artist Relief Tree
    • Creative Change COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Stipends for Artists & Cultural Strategists
    • Freelancer COVID-19 Emergency Fund

  News

  • Etsy’s Surge in Traffic Offers a Glimmer of Hope for Struggling Small Businesses (May 12)
  • Haystack announces anonymous gift to support faculty, visiting artists
  • Creative Portland, Haystack distribute money to artists
  • Creative Portland raises $75K for local artists hit by crisis (may 4, MaineBiz)
  • Artist uses paintings to help military families during pandemic (BDN Apr 28)
  • Digital Abbe Museum Indian Market set to launch on May 16
  • Arts and culture are worth saving (Boston Globe – Apr 18)

• Farming - Grocers - Food Production & Processing

  Maine Resources

  • Maine Organic Farmers & Grower’s Association (MOFGA)
    • Resources for Financing during COVID-19
    • Maine Grocer’s and Food Producers Association COVID-19 Resources (MGFPA)
  • Maine Farmer’s Markets Association COVID-19 guidance for farmer’s and markets on how to properly set-up
  • Maine Farmland Trust COVID-19 Resources
    • Maine Farmlink Financing Resources
    • Four ways to support Maine farms right now
  • Maine Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources COVID-19 Information for Agriculture and Food Businesses

  National/Regional Resources

  • Growing Farmers – COVID-19 Tips
  • National Grocer’s Association – Coronavirus Resources
  • USDA COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide – Farmers and Ranchers
  • Food Industry Association – Guidance for the Food Industry: Coronavirus Outbreak
  • Growing Farmers – COVID-19 Tips
  • Rural Advancement Fn Intl (RAFI) COVID-19 Response and Resources
  • Farmer’s Guide to COVID-19 – Farmer’s Legal Action Group (Apr 27)

  [accordion-item title=”Buying Local Opportunities – Maps, Where to go”][/accordion-item]

  • Farm Drop – Portland Maine
  • MOFGA CSA Directory and Map
  • Local Food Anywhere (local farm maps – Maine included)
  • Maine Farmer’s Markets Association – COVID-19 Response and map of markets and members
    • Yarmouth Farmer’s Market (Opens June 4)

  [accordion-item title=”U Maine Cooperative Extension” state=closed][/accordion-item]

  • Maine AgrAbility webinar focuses on farmer stress, resilience – May 20
  • U Maine Cooperative Extension – COVID-19 Information for Maine Farmers
  • Maine Farm (and Seafood) Product and Pick-Up Directory
  • checklist tool
  • Daily Farmer Conversations/Farmer to Farmer Conversations
    • Weekdays, M-F, 7 PM
    • Click: https://maine.zoom.us/j/704929403
    • Call: +1 646 876 9923 / Code: 704 929 403
    • Email: donna.coffin@maine.edu
  • Willing to help dairy farmers in Waldo County during COVID-19 outbreak? Contact UMaine Extension

  [accordion-item title=”USDA CARES Act Aid – CFAP”][/accordion-item]

  • USDA
    • Corona Virus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) – opens May 26 – application materials, guidance, criteria
    • CFAP FAQs
    • Local Farm Service Agency (for application support)
  • WHAT FARMERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE USDA COVID-19 AID PROGRAM [CFAP] OPENING NEXT WEEK (May 22, Sustainable Ag.net)
    • CFAP 101 FOR PRODUCERS
  • CFAP Payment Breakdown (May 19, Progressive Farmer)
  • News:
    • Federal funding not enough to meet farmers’ needs, state official says (June 13, PH)
    • Farmers won’t see coronavirus money until June as bankruptcies soar (May 20, CNN)
    • The government has earmarked billions to help farmers. There will be winners and losers. (NBC News, May 19)
    • A CLOSER LOOK AT FARMER RELIEF IN SENATE PANDEMIC AID PACKAGE – $9.5 billion for agriculture producers
    • Stimulus package—what do family farms need to know? (Apr 6)

  [accordion-item title=”Farm Lending” state=closed][/accordion-item]

  • Farm Credit East – Maine Offices
  • Maine Harvest Federal Credit Union
  • Slow Money Maine (investment clubs) – Facebook Page
  • USDA Farm Service Agency – COVID-19 Resources
    • Loans (incl Emergency loans)
    • Maine FSA
    • FSA Expands Set-Aside Loan Provision for Customers Impacted by COVID-19 (May 21 – payment relief of up to 2 payments)
  • COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Loans for Rural Businesses (CFRA)
  • SBA – EIDL and PPP
    • CONFUSION REMAINS OVER SBA ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS
  • Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) – Reinvestment Fund – USDA – deadline July 10

  [accordion-item title=”Grants and Donations” state=open][/accordion-item]

  • Maine Farm Emergency Grants (MOFGA and Farmland Trust – $2,000)
  • Cultivating Community Emergency Food Fund in the Wake of COVID-19 (for New Mainer Farmers)
  • American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund
  • Maine Farm Food Access Program – reimbursement for EBT equipment
  • Maine Farm Food Access Program created to reimburse direct-market farms and farmers’ markets SNAP/EBT equipment
  • Carrot Project (New England)
    • Farm Financing Options
  • Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) mini-grants ($500 for poultry and livestock)
  • New England Grassroots Environment Fund – Seed Grants
  • Henry P. Kendall Foundation Responds to COVID-19 Crisis (on hold – look for updates)
  • Maine Grain Alliance – Emergency Relief for Grain-based Businesses ($2,000)-Kneading Conference
  • NEW ENGLAND FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE FUND (John Merck Fund and Henry Kendall Fn)
  • Slow Food USA National Resilience Fund
    • One pager description
  • Lists
    • Farmer’s Guide to COVID-19 Relief (Farmer’s Legal Action Group)
    • Farmaid – Resources for Farmers during COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Response and Recovery Funds – Sustainable Agri & Food Systems Funders

  [accordion-item title=”Farming News and Other Resources” state=closed][/accordion-item]

  • As strawberry season begins, pick-your-own farms adjust to coronavirus guidelines (June 19, PH)
  • Anticipating farm labor shortages, Maine ad campaign targets newly unemployed (June 8, MB)
  • Maine adds to slaughtering capacity to ease meat bottleneck (June 8, BDN)
  • Outlook brighter for Maine’s potato industry as coronavirus restrictions relax (June 8, BDN)
  • New England’s cheese industry is a point of pride for the region. Can it survive a pandemic? (June 2, BG)
  • Maine custom meat processors are easing bottleneck (June 1, MaineBiz)
  • Farm-to-table dining takes on new meaning amid coronavirus pandemic (June 4, BDN)
  • Organic farmers ‘in trouble’ as Maine home gardeners deplete compost supplies (May 31, BDN)
  • From snow to sun, garden center works to keep up with heightened demand (May 30, BDN)
  • FDA rolls back food rules for fifth time during pandemic (May 27, PH)
  • Efforts underway to get food from U.S. farms to the needy (May 25, PH)
  • ‘I just want something local’ – COVID-19 has been a boon for many New England farms (May 23, BG)
  • Maine potato farmers face uncertain times in what is already an uncertain business (May 22, BDN)
  • Amid pandemic, Maine farmers markets are busier than ever (May 20, MB)
  • Maine importers urge lawmakers to suspend food-related tariffs (May 22, PH)
  • Meat producers in Aroostook see increase in business after COVID-19 affects factory farms
  • New partnership supports Maine dairy farmers and helps hungry Mainers (Good Shepherd Bank) – May 13, BDN
  • Farm workers without unemployment or stimulus checks get some relief (May 14, BDN)
  • Where’s the beef? In another blow to restaurants, meat shortages are driving up costs (Boston Globe, May 12)
  • Pineland Farms hits 300,000 pounds of food given away after Presque Isle event (May 11, BDN)
  • Maine wants to loosen rules of shipping meat across state lines (May 8, BDN)
  • Coronavirus: Meat shortage leaves US farmers with ‘mind-blowing’ choice (May 7 BBC)
  • Sheep for a Cure: nonprofit raises funds for Cancer Care of Maine in Brewer
  • Maple syrup producers regroup after pandemic cancels showcase events (May 8, BDN)
  • Angus King calls on USDA to aid Maine’s blueberry and potato growers
  • Despite the coronavirus pandemic, an Ellsworth brewery plans to expand to Bar Harbor
  • Farmers markets move outdoors to bigger spaces, with new rules (May 2)
  • How some farmers in the Dover-Foxcroft area are working to close the supply chain and keep locals safe (BDN Apr 30)
  • Maine farmers’ markets reopen, but with social distancing and other precautions (Apr 28, MB)
  • Policy Update: New Relief Package & Food Assistance Program (Apr 24 – Farmland Trust)
  • Up Beat: How He-Man began delivering curbside food to customers in Levant
  • Foodservice shutdown leaves County potato industry struggling
  • Slow Money Maine Spring Newsletter with incredible stories from farmers and fishing families in every Maine County.  (Apr 28)
  • Emergency grants created for Maine farmers, food producers affected by COVID-19
  • With small, local slaughterhouses, Maine meat has a moment
  • Already in an unpredictable business, farmers face more uncertainties than ever
  • Farm To Table: The Coronavirus And America’s Food Supply Chain (podcast – WBUR/NPR – Apr 15)
  • Trump announces $19B program to help agriculture sector
  • Food And Farmworkers – Planet Money podcast – March 25 – 17 mns)
  • For meat plant workers, virus makes a hard job perilous (apr 15 – Portland Herald)
  • Consumers should expect a very different farmers market landscape this summer
  • Virus sours business for already-reeling dairy industry (Apr 14)
  • Why buying a share in a local farm’s season might be a very good investment this year
  • Maine Acts of Kindness: Farmer’s market yields food donations
  • How the COVID-19 coronavirus is impacting the agriculture industry
  • Maine ag operations see unprecedented demand amid coronavirus concerns
  • With restaurants shuttered, Maine fishermen and farmers pivot to sell directly to customers
  • What happens to our food supply if American farmers can’t farm?

• Breweries - Distilleries - Wineries - Brew Pubs

  • Maine Brewer’s Guild (Facebook)
    • Beer Delivery and To-Go in Maine
  • Car Hop ME – beer and spirits delivery

  News

  • Maine breweries urge Mills to let them open earlier (May 26, PH)
  • Beer to go may be here to stay (May 24, PH)
  • Maine brewery adapts to taproom closings with nearly statewide delivery routes (May 14, BDN)
  • Maine Acts of Kindness: Craft beer becomes hospital-grade hand sanitizer
  • Maine’s craft brewers face bigger sales drop as virus restrictions threaten summer tourism
  • There’s a beer problem brewing (Apr 26)
  • Maine’s craft brewers get creative to keep the beer flowing
  • Maine distillers, brewers team up with university system to make hand sanitizer

• Fisheries - Aquaculture - Lobstering

  The new Federal Stimulus package or CARES Act is allocating $300 million for assistance to tribal, subsistence, commercial, and charter fishery participants affected by COVID-19, which may include direct relief payments to fisherman. Below are more local resources available:

  • Alliance for Maine’s Marine Economy (U Maine)
  • Island Institute Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Page
  • Department of Marine Resources – Maine
  • Maine Lobstermen’s Association COVID-19 Updates for the Lobster Industry
    • Financial Resources
  • Maine Aquaculture Association
  • Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
  • Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries
  • National Aquaculture Association (NAA)
  • National Fisheries Institute
  • NOAA Fisheries Coronavirus Update (Observers are not required on boats at this time.)
  • Restarting Maine – Re-opening Checklists
    • Marinas – Boatyards
  • Market Support
    • Scallop order form — Please read these details (Portland)
    • Maine’s Working Waterfront – Seafood Connect (Seafood markets throughout the state – open to the public)
    • U Maine Cooperative Extension – Maine Farm and Seafood Product and Pick-Up Directory
    • Local Catch Finder Map
    • Maine Seafood Map – dealers and restaurants
  • Donations – Financial Assistance
    • Federal Fisheries Disaster Relief Program (NOAA – not active yet – in the works)
  • News
    • SeafoodNews.com
    • ‘I’m not a quitter’: lobstermen turn to kelp farming in the face of climate crisis (May 18 – Island Inst.)
    • Bristol Seafood stops production in Portland after COVID-19 cases confirmed (PH, May 18)
    • Luke’s Lobster, fishermen’s co-ops launch partnership for front-line workers (Maine Biz, May 6)
    • Maine nets $20 million in federal bailout of U.S. fishing industry
    • Maine fishermen promised coronavirus bailout bucks are still awaiting the cash (May 3, BDN)
    • How a Blue Hill church is using lobsters to jumpstart its local economy
    • Maine fishermen seek relief, new markets to navigate ‘economic disaster’
    • A win-win net result (Apr 20 – bulk buying by Blue Hill church & community to help fishermen and elderly)
    • With fishing fleets tied up, marine life given a chance to recover (Apr 17 Portland Herald)
    • As coronavirus threatens seafood economy, community fisheries find ways to stay afloat (Apr 15)
    • Maine seafood industry struggles to adjust to a coronavirus, COVID-19 economy (Apr 5)
    • Senator Collins Calls for Swift Release of $300 Million to Support Fishermen During COVID-19 Pandemic
    • Maine seafood industry struggling to stay afloat amid coronavirus outbreak
    • NOAA suspends Northeast fishing monitor requirement
    • With restaurants shuttered, Maine fishermen and farmers pivot to sell directly to customers
    • Fallout from coronavirus makes lobsters so cheap that sellers face a fatal blow

• Forestry - Timber - Paper

  • US Endowment for Forestry & Communities – webinar on CAREs Act/Federal Stimulus for forestry/timber insutry (4 mns)
  • Professional Logging Contractors of Maine

• Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation/Logistics, Trade

  • National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) COVID-19 Resources
  • Impact Washington COVID-19 Manufacturing Resources
  • Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) – COVID-19 Resources
    • Workplace Readiness Guidance (Re-opening toolkit)
  • Manufacturer’s Association of Maine
  • Lowe’s Commits $25 Million to Help Communities Impacted by Coronavirus Pandemic ($3 million – particularly for skilled trades)
  • Restarting Maine – Re-opening Checklists
    • Construction
    • Transportation

   

  • News
    • Pandemic staycationers lead to sales spike for Auburn awning company (June 15, PH)
    • With summer travel plans in doubt, demand for backyard pools is surging (May 24, BG)
    • At construction sites, work continues under a new normal (May 25, BDN)
    • With 23 COVID-19 cases, Augusta construction site adds further safety measures (May 21, MB)
    • Virus cases at Cianbro job site raise concerns about construction workers’ safety (May 15, PH)
    • Construction employment declines in Maine amid measures to combat coronavirus (BDN, May 13)
    • Coronavirus: How to run a factory during a pandemic (BBC, May 12)
    • Biddeford trucking company offers free service for pandemic response
    • Building Business: Economy slows to a crawl, but construction continues (Maine Biz – Apr 20)
    • Housing developers are trying to bulldoze their way through the crisis (MaineBiz Apr 20)
    • Some US manufacturers reopening amid fierce political heat
    • Construction work goes on, but slowly (MDI-Apr 11)
    • Factory shutdowns near WWII demobilization levels in US (Apr 15)
    • Maine construction industry slows down but keeps working
    • Wipfli COVID articles for the construction industry
    • Wipfli COVID articles for the manufacturing and distribution industries
    • 9 ways manufacturers can manage and increase cash flow
    • How construction firms can manage cash flow in a crisis
    • Maine manufacturers want to help the state fight coronavirus. Here are the challenges.
    • Shutting down construction projects is an unnecessary step, will harm economy and undermine recovery efforts, construction officials say

• Restaurants - Bars - Food Service

  • State of Maine-DECD – Re-opening Guidance
    • Restaurants (May 20)
  • Hospitality Maine – Restaurants
    • HOSPITALITYMAINE COVID-19 RESTAURANT READINESS COURSE (EMCC)
  • National Restaurant Association Coronavirus Information and Resources
    • Re-opening Guidance
  • Re-open Main Street (Michigan) – Restaurant tools
  • Independent Restaurant Coalition
    • COVID-19 Resources
  • Seated Hotline – free advice to Restaurants from Cohn Reznick (accounting) and Golenbeck Esieman Assor Bell & Peskoe (legal)
  • ServSafe FREE FOOD SAFETY AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND RESOURCES (during COVID-19)
  • Spatial Strategies for Restaurants in Response to COVID-19 – MASS Design Group (May 8)
  • Gather Farm Fresh – Cooking for Community (supporting local restaurants with curbside ordering, etc.)
  • Oyster Sunday Reopening Critical Path for Restaurants and Bars
  • Maine Street America: Restaurants in Recovery (June 2 webinar, 1 hr)

  Donations for Owners and Workers – Restaurants/Bars

  • Help the Maine Service Industry Support – have a drink, leave a tip.  
  • Cooking for Community – Portland – Raise Money – Source Local Food – Pay Restaurants – Feed Hungry People
  • James Beard Foundation FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY RELIEF FUND
  • RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND – National Restaurant Assoc 
  • Restaurant Strong (Sam Adams and Greg Hill Fn) – relief fund
  • Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United is providing resources and financial assistance to restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus crisis.
  • Another Round – Another Rally
  • CORE: CHILDREN OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES RELIEF FUND
  • DiningBond.com (gift cards)
  • Go Tip ‘Em Help the Bars and Restaurants
  • World Central Kitchen – Chefs for America – ARE YOU A RESTAURANT INTERESTED IN JOINING THE EFFORT?
  • Save our Shifts (for Maine bartenders)
  • Lists
    • List of Relief Funds for Restaurants, Bars, and Food Service Workers – Eater.com
    • Spill the Dish – Financial Assistance Search Tool
    • Restaurant Worker’s Community Foundation – Resources for Restaurants and Workers
    • ROC COVID-19 Resources

  News

  • July 1 opening for Maine bar, tavern indoor service may be moved back (June 18, MaineBiz)
  • Maine pizza chain is expanding amid pandemic restrictions (June 17, BDN)
  • State may delay Maine bar openings because of COVID-19 infection risk (June 17, PH)
  • Moe’s BBQ restaurants in Maine temporarily closed after employee tests positive for COVID-19 (June 17, BDN)
  • Restaurants slow to reopen indoor seating, but some regulars eagerly get back in their booth (June 17, PH)
  • Restaurateurs excited for indoor dining, but their plans are mixed (June 15, PH)
  • ‘The days of queuing for fish and chips are gone’ (June 10, BBC)
  • Restaurant owners in the Bangor area adapt to a new normal as they slowly reopen (June 13, BDN)
  • Restaurant Business – news articles
  • Restaurant owners near county lines sue Janet Mills over coronavirus restrictions (June 8, BDN)
  • Four Portland businesses change licenses to reopen earlier (June 8, PH)
  • The New Recipe for Restaurant Survival? Become the Next Domino’s. (June 6, WSJ)
  • No restaurant has taken up Maine prisons on their offer to buy excess food (June 4, BDN)
  • How the first day of outdoor dining looked in the heart of Maine’s food capital (BDN, June 1)
  • Portland businesses and organizations offer support to protesters (June 4, PH)
  • Outdoor dining slowly reemerges in the Old Port (June 1, PH)
  • Up Beat: An Allagash woman helped a man out a few years ago. Now he’s repaid the kindness. (June 1, BDN)
  • Restaurants open to outdoor dining, but say it’s not enough to survive (June 1, PH)
  • The waiting is the hardest part: Red’s Eats opens with new safety precautions (May 30, PH)
  • Gov. Janet Mills tells southern Maine restaurants in limbo they can sell excess food to prisons (May 30, BDN)
  • Coronavirus: What a post-lockdown pub could look like (May 28, BBC)
  • How Maine restaurants can expand outdoor seating to meet new virus restrictions (May 27, BDN)
  • Popular Portland restaurant closes after employee tests positive [Salvage BBQ] (May 27, PH)
  • Restaurant owners steamed at decision to delay indoor dining (PH, May 27)
  • Mills delays restaurant dine-in re-openings, as Maine reports 2 deaths, 28 new COVID-19 cases (May 27, PH)
  • When will diners be ready to return to restaurants? Here’s what 1,000 Globe readers said (May 26, BG)
  • Food trucks return to Bangor’s waterfront this week (BDN, May 27)
  • Restaurants get creative to keep diners distant and maintain an ambience (5/24, PH)
  • 21 Ways Restaurants Could Change Forever, According to Chefs (May 24, Food & Wine)
  • Dine In Maine: What’s a restaurant critic to do when all the restaurants are closed? Order in (March 29, PH)
  • Central Maine restaurants report varied business during first week open
  • Maine restaurants can now get certified to show they know how to reopen safely (May 22, BDN)
  • The Restaurants Transforming Into Grocery Stores – May 8 – New Yorker
  • Diners fear losing cozy culture, regulars as virus restrictions take bite out of business (May 22, BDN)
  • Reopening checklist help offered by HospitalityMaine, EMCC (May 21, MaineBiz)
  • Thinking on their feet: Restaurant owners adapt to changing times (May 18, MaineBiz)
  • Maine fails to deliver online inspections as restaurants reopen in pandemic (May 22, PH)
  • To reopen, restaurants will need to completely reinvent themselves (May 17, BG)
  • Two Maine restaurants, only a mile apart, now face different rules (BDN, May 18)
  • Central Maine restaurant owners scramble to reopen (PH, May 17)
  • Workers are being called back to restaurants around Maine. Their choice can be a hard one. (BDN, May 18)
  • Their small Hermon restaurant was a success — until coronavirus hit (May 18, BDN)
  • Maine bartenders reimagine their profession for a post-pandemic world
  • Northeast Harbor entrepreneurs, unfazed by pandemic, will open restaurant and market (MaineBiz, May 15)
  • Death of a bartender: The reality of COVID-19’s effect on an industry (May 16, BDN)
  • Campgrounds, restaurants sue to block Gov. Mills’ quarantine rules for out-of-staters (May 15, PH)
  • Some restaurants will reopen on Monday, but Mainers mixed on dining out (May 16, BDN
  • Coronavirus: How the pandemic is relaxing US drinking laws (May 15, BBC)
  • The Wrap: Curbside expansions, virtual tours and lobster lines (May 13, Portland Herald)
  • Where’s the beef? In another blow to restaurants, meat shortages are driving up costs (Boston Globe, May 12)
  • What Maine cities and restaurants have to weigh before expanding outdoor dining (BDN, May 13)
  • Rockland OKs turning Main Street into walking plaza for restaurants and shops (May 11, BDN)
  • Read the checklist of requirements for restaurant reopenings
  • When ‘scream for ice cream’ became social distance anger
  • How Maine restaurants are adapting to a virus that could force many to close (May 11, BDN)
  • How restaurants will cautiously reopen under Janet Mills’ relaxed plan (May 9, BDN)
  • To survive coronavirus lockdowns, this Richmond food truck set up shop in its owners’ front yard. Then the complaints began.
  • State to speed up reopening of retailers and restaurants in rural parts of Maine (May 8, BDN)
  • How dining out will change when some Maine restaurants reopen (May 8, BDN)
  • Starbucks will reopen 85 percent of its coffee shops, but with new protocols (May 7)
  • Daily Show Interview of Chef Jose Andres and his work with World Central Kitchen and Chefs for America (23:30 mark – May 6)
    • World Central Kitchen
    • Chefs for America – ARE YOU A RESTAURANT INTERESTED IN JOINING THE EFFORT?
  • Business group [Restaurant Workers of Maine] calls COVID-19 restrictions ‘a death march for restaurants’ (May 1, BDN)
  • Restaurants deserve targeted relief from the state
  • Maine’s dairy bars and creameries are still making us smile this spring (Apr 28)
  • Some Good News – spotlight on restaurants and restaurant workers (April 26 – Youtube – 15 mns)
  • Can’t find toilet paper? Add it to your order at one of these Portland restaurants.
  • Restaurants flood hospitals with food donations, despite hardships
  • Restaurants have laid off thousands in wake of coronavirus—but ghost kitchens are hiring (Apr 15)
  • Whoopie pies may save northern Maine diner during virus crisis (BDN – Apr 15)
  • State of the Restaurant and Retail Industries – Goldman Sachs webinar (Apr 8)
  • How Portland’s restaurants are trying to adapt to empty dining rooms
  • America’s Restaurants Will Need a Miracle
  • New research details early impact of coronavirus pandemic on restaurant industry

   

• Hotels - Tourism - Entertainment - Other Hospitality

  • Hospitality Maine Coronavirus Information Center
    • HOSPITALITY MAINE-EMCC COVID-19 LODGING READINESS COURSE – certification
    • MAINE HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & RETAIL RECOVERY PLAN (June 11) & Chart
    • Governor Mills Statement on Hospitality and Tourism Industry Economic Recovery Plan (June 12)
  • Maine Office of Tourism
  • State of Maine-DECD – Re-opening Guidance
    • Mills Administration Accelerates Start Date for Lodging Establishments to Serve Out-of-State Visitors (June 12)
    • Lodging (May 20)
    • Campground Re-opening Checklist (May 20)
    • Hunting, Fishing, Boating
  • Maine Camping: Discover your own Backyard
  • Maine Outdoor Brands News
    Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Resources
  • Adventure Local Maine – helping Mainers to discover other parts of Maine this summer
  • Destination Development Association Dealing with the Coronavirus – Webinars
  • Maine Sporting Camp Discounts – National Resources Council of Maine
  • Work with Maine plan to re-open Tourism and Hospitality

  Donations for Hospitality Industry – General

  • Maine Tourism Relief Fund ($1,000 per business, $500 per employee) – Maine Tourism Association

  News

  • What you need to know about the new testing option for out-of-staters (June 12, BDN)
  • Businesses struggle to survive in strangely quiet York Beach (June 16, PH)
  • Feeling claustrophobic at home? This year, a Maine staycation can be a real getaway (June 16, PH)
  • Maine DMR issues reopening guidance for recreational boating industry (June 11, MaineBiz)
  • Maine’s storied guide businesses may be lost amid pandemic (June 12, MaineBiz)
  • $800 million economic recovery plan unveiled by Maine hospitality and tourism officials (June 12, News Center Maine)
  • The Greek plan to bring tourists back (BBC, June 9)
  • How travel will be different after the pandemic (June 11, BG)
  • Airbnb joins vacation-rental sites seeing surge in summer demand (June 9, PH)
  • Testing option not enough to save Maine tourism industry, groups say (June 8, PH)
  • As business trickles back, hotels compete on cleanliness (June 8, PH)
  • Maine trail towns feel the loss of Appalachian Trail hikers this year, June 8, BDN
  • An out-of-stater’s guide to vacationing in Maine during the pandemic (June 6, BDN)
  • Here’s how New England hotels and resorts are getting ready for summer travelers (May 28, BG)
  • Maine allows larger gatherings now, but many venues don’t anticipate live shows anytime soon (June 3, 2020)
  • Large Maine hoteliers ask Janet Mills to end quarantine mandate (June 1, BDN)
  • New campaign helps Maine residents plan local outdoor adventures this summer (May 31, BDN) – Adventure Local Maine
  • As summer nears, the Maine hospitality industry braces for the unknown (May 31, BDN)
  • ‘Adventure in Maine’ campaign seeks to boost $3B outdoor recreation industry (may 25, MaineBiz)
  • Indoor recreation businesses proceed cautiously toward reopening (May 29, PH)
  • Maine private campgrounds open up for Memorial Day Weekend (May 26, BDN)
  • Scared Americans desperate to travel are buying up ‘covid campers’ (May 26, PH)
  • State guidelines convince more Maine summer camps to close (May 26, PH)
  • Time for Mainers to be tourists in Maine (May 22, WABI TV5)
  • As Memorial Day weekend begins, some tourists say they support but won’t follow mandatory quarantine (May 23, BDN)
  • Will Maine’s iconic sporting camps survive the pandemic? (May 24, PH)
  • In one of Maine’s tourist hot spots, there’s still a ray of hope for a successful summer (May 21, BDN) – Old Orchard Beach
  • As tourists return, shelter could be harder to find for homeless Mainers
  • Bill Nemitz: The benefit of a Maine lobster versus the cost of a Maine life (PH, 5/17)
  • Summer camps are in limbo, causing more hardship for operators, parents, and kids (BG, May 14)
  • Quarantine requirement poses added challenge for hotels and inns reopening (May 15, MaineBiz)
  • State says hotels can reopen, but industry left with more questions than clarity (May 15, PH)
  • Campgrounds, restaurants sue to block Gov. Mills’ quarantine rules for out-of-staters (May 15, PH)
  • Appalachian Trail: Covid postpones the great American adventure (May 14, BBC)
  • Hotels can resume taking reservations for Mainers and visitors who quarantine (May 14, BDN)
  • Drive-in movie theaters offer a bright spot in a darkened entertainment landscape in Maine (BDN, May 13)
  • What will staying in a hotel look like in the near future? (May 7, CNN)
  • Some Maine summer camps won’t open this season, while others wait for guidance (Portland Herald – May 11)
  • Businesses brace for a summer with few out-of-state tourists (May 9, BDN)
  • Drive-in theaters, such a part of past moviegoing, may have a special role in the pandemic present
  • What hotels are doing to sanitize rooms during the pandemic (Boston Globe, May 7)
  • As travel restrictions stretch through spring, sporting camps face huge losses, possible bankruptcy (BDN, May 8)
  • The answers to your questions on Maine’s tourism restrictions and summer phase-in (BDN, May 8)
  • Many hotels take early loan deferrals as banks look to stave off business closures (May 6 – BDN)
  • Tourism industry rails against quarantine mandate in Janet Mills’ plan to reopen economy
  • As coronavirus stalls bookings, Portland Airbnb hosts weigh shift to long-term rentals (Apr 15)
  • Red Maple Inn owners use free time to renovate, but hope for swift return to normalcy (Apr 15)
  • Maine hotels, other lodging businesses close after emergency order
  • Hospitality industry plagued with uncertainty after order to suspend most lodgings
  • Governor Orders Quarantine For Travelers To Maine, Lodging Businesses To Close (April 4)
  • Use your stay-at-home time to plan your Maine vacation
  • Maine hospitality industry expects boost from federal stimulus package
  • Why Maine’s hospitality-driven economy was so vulnerable to coronavirus

• Retail - Shopping

  • Re-open Main Street (Michigan) – Retail tools
  • National Retail Federation Coronavirus Resources for Retailers
  • Retail Association of Maine COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE FOR RETAILERS
    • Cleaning and Sanitation Guide for Food Retail
  • National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) – Coronavirus resources
  • Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC) COVID-19 Assistance to Booksellers and Comic Retailers
    • Expedited Application for COVID-19 Emergency
  • Save Indie Bookstores
  • Re-starting Maine – Re-opening checklists
    • Auto Dealers
    • In-Store Gathering Limits (by s.f.)

  News: 

  • In Bar Harbor, a candy-making institution struggles through the pandemic (June 17, MaineBiz)
  • Pandemic sparks bicycle boom, and Mainers overwhelm supply (June 11, PH)
  • Hard-hit retailers projected to close as many as 25,000 stores this year, mostly in malls (PH, June 9)
  • Shopping by appointment is the next big thing for retailers, but it’s no panacea (June 5, Fortune)
  • Virus a big boom for consumer fireworks sales, big bust for commercial display companies (June 5, PH)
  • Sales rebound for Maine car dealers in May, but the bump may be short-lived (June 3, BDN)
  • Most Maine retailers suffer slow business on first day of reopening (June 1, PH)
  • Retailers struggle with customer compliance on COVID-19 safety mandates (May 31, PH)
  • Maine Mall to reopen Monday with new rules, but most stores will stay closed (May 29, PH)
  • Maine fishing family turns fishermen’s pants into totes and more (May 18, MB)
  • Showrooms are open again, but car dealerships still face challenges (May 20, PH)
  • Thinking of buying a bike? Get ready for a very long wait (May 19, BG)
  • Coronavirus: Big sales expected when clothes stores reopen next month (BBC, May 19)
  • Bikes, boats, and bounce in short supply during pandemic (May 14)
  • Bikes, booze, banners and board games profitable amid COVID-19 pandemic (May 4)
  • When shoppers venture out, what will be left? (BG, May 15)
  • Maine retailers begin to reopen under new rules, with new concerns (May 13, Portland Herald)
  • Rockland OKs turning Main Street into walking plaza for restaurants and shops (May 11, BDN)
  • Retailers could open in much of Maine on Monday. Returning to normal will take time. (BDN, May 11)
  • State to speed up reopening of retailers and restaurants in rural parts of Maine [in more rural counties] (May 8, BDN)
  • How will coronavirus change the way we shop? Here are ten predictions about the future of retail (Apr 26 – Bos Globe)
  • Bike shops are busy as riders excitedly await warmer weather
  • Coronavirus Versus the Last Grocer in Town (Apr 17 – WSJ)
  • With showrooms shut down, Maine auto dealers focus on service and remote sales
  • Maine retail group chief worried about crisis-hit sector, welcomes new customer limits (Apr 13)
  • Virus Response Shutters 55% of U.S. Retail Space (Apr. 10)

• Services - Barber/Salon - Gyms - Daycare

  Resources/Tools

  • Re-open Main Street (Michigan) – Services Businesses tool
  • Re-starting Maine – Re-opening checklists
    • Gyms and Fitness
    • Cosmetology and Barbers, Nail Technicians, Tanning Salons
    • Dog Grooming

  Grants 

  • Childcare Providers
    • Maine DHHS awards CARES Act funding to support essential workers and child care providers in response to COVID-19 (applications through June 21)
  •  Barbers-Salons-Cosmetology-Nails
    • Aveda Spa and Salon Relief Fund
    • Beauty Changes Live-Horst-Rechelbacher Foundation – COVID-19 Relief Grant
    • Professional Beauty Association (PBA) COVID-19 RELIEF FUND
      • COVID-19 Resources (e.g. getting back to work guidelines, etc.)
    • Wella Covid-19 Crisis Relief – Haridressers at Heart
    • Mira Relief Fund (seems to have run out of funds – seeking donations-4/29)

  News

  • Fitness centers, nail salons, tattoo parlors reopen in southern Maine (June 17, PH)
  • Coronavirus: What salons will look like post-lockdown (June 5, BBC)
  • Is coronavirus changing the world of cleaning? (June 5, BBC)
  • Maine hair salons are trying to cope with coronavirus, and new competition (June 2, MaineBiz)
  • When day-care centers reopen, here’s what they might look like (May 28. BG)
  • Coronavirus: Why barber shops matter to the community (May 27, BBC)
  • Coronavirus: Hairdressers offer virtual appointments in lockdown (May 25, BBC)
  • Salons, barbershops grapple with reopening rules, while others in the beauty industry wait (May 21, BG)
  • With its reopening delayed, this Bangor gym has brought workouts to the parking lot (May 22, BDN)
  • Maine fitness centers pumped to reopen as soon as order is lifted (May 21, PH)
  • New Englanders look to Maine for haircuts, but barbers and stylists try to cut them off (PH, May 13)
  • OSHA investigating complaints that Maine barbershops opened without gloves, masks
  • This Maine barber isn’t working, but his shop is open. It’s unclear if he will qualify for unemployment. (May 5, BDN)
  • Mainers want haircuts and stylists want work, but salons aren’t all opening as restrictions lift
  • Coronavirus: Hairdresser makes ’emergency’ colour drop-offs (Apr 28)

SBA Programs

Typically, nonprofits cannot access SBA programs.  But during COVID-19, those rules have been relaxed.  Here are some great resources – particularly on your eligibility for PPP.

• SBA Guidance and FAQs to Faith-Based Organizations for PPP (relevant to all nonprofits)
• Jewish Federation of NA FAQs about PPP for Nonprofits
  • Comparison of Payment Protection Plan Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• IFF – Nonprofits are eligible for these two new federal programs from the SBA
• FMA PPP Protection Program Toolbox for Nonprofits with a forgiveness tool

National Resources

• LISC Nonprofit Resources – State-by-State
• Bridgespan COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits
• Council of Nonprofits – Guidance for Nonprofits for SBA Loans
• Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) COVID-19 Tools and Resources for Nonprofits
  • NFF Crisis Funding and Debt: What Organizations Need to Know
• Community Action Partnership Resources
  • CAPLAW Act Benefits for Nonprofit CAAs

Other Relief for Nonprofits 

National

• Candid Funds for coronavirus relief
• Giving Compass and National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP) – Coronavirus and COVID-19 Response and Relief Funds
• Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative – Community Foundations Nationwide Launch Coronavirus Relief Efforts
• National Center for Family Philanthropy – COVID-19: Response and Recovery Resources for Giving Families
• Rockefeller Foundation Commits $20 million in COVID-19 Assistance

State of Maine

• Maine Association of Nonprofits
  • financial relief
  • Reopening with Purpose: A Guidebook for Maine Nonprofits
  • MANP Connects  – Collaborator Notes
• Maine Community Foundation – COVID-19 Relief Fund
• Maine Philanthropy Center Local COVID-19 Response Funds
• John T Gorman Foundation Resource Library

News

• After coronavirus empties parishioners’ pockets, churches get a government boost (BDN – Apr 10)

Here you will find tools, ideas, and resources you might want to use to help you adapt your business during COVID-19.

• Marketing during COVID-19

  • 5 Tips to Keep Selling During a Crisis (April 21)
  • WHAT OWNERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STORYTELLING – CHRIS BROGAN – Fast Forward Maine (May 2020)

• Working From Home (WFH) / Business Technology Needs

  • Work From Home apps (video) (Flyte Media)
  • Working from home these days? Maine experts share useful tips (Maine Biz)
  • 8 strategies to set up remote work during the coronavirus outbreak
  • Wipfli Technology Resource Page
  • Google G Suite: Helping businesses and schools stay connected in response to Coronavirus
  • Microsoft Teams COVID-19 Response
  • Thryv Foundation Resource page – particularly on going virtual for businesses that are not typically virtual like plumbers, nurseries, cosmetology college, etc.  

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  • Maine Technology Users Group (MTUG)
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past events/Recorded Webinars
    • Microsoft Teams — Remote Collaboration in the Time of Pandemic (webinar – recorded)

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  • How Managers Can Support Remote Employees

• Business Tools - General - Management

  • Warden Green Group’s COVID-19 Blogs on leading while coping with coronavirus (Bangor Executive Coaching firm – disclosure: Penquis Board member)

For individual support for your business, you can have one of MaineStream’s business advisors contact you by filling out this intake form. There are many other  resources across the state available to you.

Here are a few: 

• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) – find an advisor
  • COVID-19 Small Business Resources
  • Mainers push for SBDC update, to boost COVID-19 small business survival (May 29, Mainebiz)
• SCORE Maine – find an advisor
• Business Advising.org – Pacific Community Ventures (free – national – based in CA)
• MicroMentor.org

• On-going Workshops

  Thinking about starting a business? Need to pivot? Need to stay up on the latest info? Check out these regular workshops and webinars.

  • For information on MaineStream business workshops, Business 101 for start-ups and Turning your Hobby into a Business, click here. in May, June and July.
  • Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) webinars on government contracting and workforce training
  • Entrepreneur Magazine Webinars – topics like eBay, cashflow, crisis mgmt, WFH,
  • Fast Forward Maine workshops, podcasts, and webinars on topics such as marketing, HR, etc.
  • Island Institute Commercial Current – Business in Uncertain Times Podcast Series (pre-recorded – 7 Episodes – Boating, Restaurants, Arts, Fisheries, Food Retail, Breweries)
  • Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries talks – Lunch & Learn Summer Series – once a month – end of month
  • Maine Chamber of Commerce webinars on legislation and topics for different industries
  • Maine Development Foundation informational webinars (Maine Downtown Center, etc)
  • Maine SBDC has weekly online sessions for general Q&A and specific topics.
    • SBDC Business Relaunching Series
    • Maine SBDC News & Events
  • New Ventures Maine has several upcoming workshops through the summer on starting and growing a business, money management and building your career.
  • • • Main Street Rise: Grow Your Business Online (self-paced)
  • PenBay Regional Chamber of Commerce (Camden-Rockland) has regular events and updates for the Mid-Coast.
  • Portland Chamber of Commerce – weekly webinars on Legal/HR, Policy (Eggs and Issues)
  • SCORE Online Workshops
    • SCORE Portland has many on-going workshops.
  • ServSafe FREE FOOD SAFETY AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND RESOURCES (during COVID-19)
  • University of Maine Cooperative Extension Daily Farmer Conversations/Farmer to Farmer Conversations Weekdays, M-F, 7 PM (Suspended thru Summer 2020 – pickup in Fall)
    • Click: https://maine.zoom.us/j/704929403 / Call: +1 646 876 9923 / Code: 704 929 403 / Email: donna.coffin@maine.edu