SMPDC Economic Recovery Programs

CDBG Microenterprise Grants

Goal of the program: To help low-to-moderate income microbusinesses start or grow a business with up to a $10,000 forgivable loan.

Eligibility Requirements:

1) 5 or fewer employees including all owners, at time of application

2) Low to moderate household income for previous 12 months. Of all owners and all adult household members (see chart below for income requirements)

3) Must meet with a business advisor. The application can not be completed without a connection to an advisor.

4) Must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI). The federal government no longer uses DUNS numbers; click here to learn more about the transition to UEI. Advisor can help obtain a UEI.

5) Cannot have received a previous CDBG grant at time of application

Table displaying income limits for CDBG program eligibility based on location and household size

* Portland Metro includes: Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Chebeague Island, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Frye Island Gorham, Gray, Long Island, North Yarmouth, Portland, Raymond, Scarborough, South Portland,

Standish, and Westbrook.

* York/Kittery includes: Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, South Berwick, York

SMPDC Region Oxford county towns include: Porter, Hiram, Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Sweden, Lovell, Stow and Stoneham

**If your business is located in Portland, please apply to Portland's Microenterprise Loan Program**

To apply:

Fill out the CDBG Microenterprise Loan application and send it to James Rather at jrather@smpdc.org.
You will then be assigned to an SBDC business advisor and screened for eligibility.

2025_CDBG_MicroEnterprise_Grant_Application.docx

2025_CDBG_MicroEnterprise_Grant_Application.pdf

Business_Plan_Template.pdf

DECD Economic Recovery Hub Program

The goal of the Economic Recovery Hub Program is to help small businesses in York and Southern Oxford Counties using Federal ARPA funds that were awarded to SMPDC by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. Working to strengthen the regional business assistance network, the Hub Program is intended to help those businesses that suffered hardships or losses due to the pandemic but received little, if any, government financial assistance. More information on the Economic Recovery Hub can be found here.