A particular fund is being established to supply grants to small companies that had been affected by final month’s extreme flooding and windstorm.
The Retail Affiliation of Maine and the Maine Grocers and Meals Producers Affiliation introduced Tuesday that the aid fund will supply grants starting from $2,500 to $10,000 to assist companies recuperate from the storm. The teams anticipate the Maine Enterprise Aid Fund start accepting purposes for grants by Jan, 4 and they’re asking different companies or people to make tax-deductible donations to the fund.
Curtis Picard, president and CEO of the Retail Affiliation of Maine, stated the timing of the Dec. 18 storm resulted in lots of companies shedding stock, struggling gear injury and shedding gross sales one week earlier than Christmas.
“It was vital for our industries to drag collectively to attempt to assist immediately and shortly,” Picard stated. “The objective of the Maine Enterprise Aid Fund is to supply some direct monetary aid to assist companies clear up, restock and get again on their toes shortly.”
Many riverfront downtown areas alongside the Kennebec, Androscoggin and different rivers skilled a few of the most severe flooding in decades following the storm. Some areas acquired greater than 6 inches of rain whereas others had been buffeted by wind gusts exceeding 70 mph. Tons of of 1000’s of Maine residents and companies had been with out energy on the peak of the storm and instantly afterward.
Talking contained in the restaurant of Cushnoc Brewing — considered one of a number of downtown Augusta companies affected by the flooding — Gov. Janet Mills stated her administration helps the creation of the brand new grant program and plans to contribute $10,000 from her workplace’s contingency fund. Officers from the Federal Emergency Administration Company additionally arrived in Maine this week to evaluate injury from the storm, which is a precursor to a federal catastrophe declaration that might make areas eligible for added federal help.
“My administration will hold doing all we are able to to help efforts like these that may assist companies and people in our communities and assist our state recuperate from final month’s horrific storm,” Mills stated.
Organizers say an nameless donor has provided to match $250,000 in donations to the brand new fund. Extra details about this system is on the market on-line at www.MaineBusinessReliefFund.com.
