CEI

Innovation and investment in rural America.

COVID-19 Resources For Businesses

Updated 3/31/20 3:12 PM

Governor Mills recently launched a statewide resource site: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/covid-19/maine-helps

Support Local Businesses

Accessing Capital

Legal Guidance & HR

Communication & Operations

Farms & Aquaculture

Child Care

Hospitality, Food & Entertainment

CDC Notices & Posters

Resources for Individuals

Accessing Capital

Existing CEI Loan Clients

We want to hear from our borrowers about what you are facing and how we might be able to help.  If you are anticipating or experiencing an impact on your business due to the coronavirus pandemic, please reach out to your loan officer.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Governor Mills’ application for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help Maine businesses overcome any temporary loss of revenue due to the novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19 on March 16th. Maine is one of the first states in the country to be approved, and Maine small business owners can now begin applying for these loans.

To apply or learn more about the SBA Economic Injury Loans, visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance or https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

SBA Economic Injury Loans Fact Sheet

(Firefox or Internet Explorer preferred browser for applications. Issues with Chrome and Safari. )

CARES Act

  • Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
  • Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Business
    • The program provides small businesses and non-profits with 500 or fewer employees with federally insured, partially forgivable loans that can be used to cover operating expenses:
      • Maximum loan is 250% of the employer’s monthly payroll costs, or $10 million (whichever is less);
      • Payroll costs include wages, salaries, retirement contributions, healthcare benefits and contributions to retirement
    • As of March 31, 2020, rules for banks making these loans are still in development. It is anticipated that these loans will be available in the near future, and companies are encouraged to reach out to their banks or a Maine 7a Lender as soon as possible if they want to learn more about this opportunity

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) Financing Options

COVID-19 Relief Loan Insurance for Lenders: In partnership with its lending institutions, FAME will approve ANY Online Assistance (OLA) loan submitted electronically and deemed “COVID-19” at a 50% insurance rate. Some will be eligible using our current standards (and be assessed decreased fees) for 75% coverage. Lending partners will share the risk with FAME and may obtain approval for their loan in an expedited manner. Interested borrowers will contact their local bank or credit union first to see if the lender is offering this program and to apply.

COVID-19 Relief Interim SBA Finance Loan Program: The SBA has initiated their disaster relief loan into “designated” disaster areas, and Maine recently has been designated such an area. FAME will provide interim direct loan funding up to $100,000 since, following approval from the SBA, additional documentation from the borrower may be required prior to full disbursement of the SBA loan. FAME will obtain an assignment of the loan proceeds from the SBA and pre-fund the loan so the money is available to Maine businesses sooner.

COVID-19 Relief Business Direct Loan Program: To be utilized when borrower cannot obtain a loan or OLA from a lending partner. Offers loans up to $50,000 and a decreased interest rate and decreased fee schedule for Maine-based businesses that experience interruption or hardship due to COVID-19.

Other Capital/Financing Options

Taxes

The 2019 income tax filing and payment deadlines for all taxpayers who file and pay their Federal income taxes on April 15, 2020, are automatically extended until July 15, 2020. This relief applies to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations. This relief is automatic, taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify.

This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

Penalties and interest will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of July 16, 2020. You will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by July 15.”

As of March 27th, Maine extended the deadline for state filing and payments to July 15, 2020 as well to align with the Federal deadlines

Learn more at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Communications  

Because of the rapid changes associated with COVID-19 and social distancing and the subsequent impact on businesses in Maine, it is critical that business owners communicate early and often with key partners including: employees, customers, landlords, lenders, and other partners.

Additionally, employers should take steps to communicate clearly the current situation within your business for employees and customers.  This includes updating changes in workplace policies, hours, or services. See this article on communicating through the coronavirus crisis for some concrete steps you can take to improve your communication strategy.

Business Continuity/ Preparedness Plans

Existing CEI Clients

We want to hear from you! Our business advisors are working and available via phone and email. Please reach out to your CEI contact if you have any questions/concerns.

Resources for Farmers

  • American Farmland Trust Farmer Relief Fund
    • AFT will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
    • Eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.
    • The application (available in both English and Spanish) is easy to complete but will require applicants to include sufficient detail to ensure AFT is awarding producers that have the greatest needs. Applicants will be asked to estimate their financial loss. The initial application period goes until April 23, with grants beginning to be made by May 1. 
  • COVID-19 Information for Agriculture & Food Businesses (ME Dept of Ag)
  • Covid-19 Maine Farmer Information and Support
    • The above link provides a streamlined list of resources to support farmers in the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes resources around food safety, recommendations and federal support programs. It is updated daily by agricultural organizations agencies across the state including the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. If you would like something added to this list as a resource, please email bdennis@mofga.org. 
  • Covid-19 Maine Farmer Survey
    • As Covid-19 makes its way through our community, we acknowledge that farmers are faced with unique challenges in an unpredictable market. The following survey was made in collaboration with agricultural organizations agencies across the state to better assess the impact this virus is having on Maine farms. This will provide a sense of how we can best support you through direct assistance and policy in this changing time.

Aquaculture

Child Care

MaineHealth is doing as much as possible to protect its team members and their families during the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of the need for social distancing and self-isolation, MaineHealth is unable to provide on-site child care. However, to support the MaineHealth community throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, they are developing a directory of care options for team members and their families.

If you are able to provide care to the families of MaineHealth care team members, please complete and submit the following form. We are encouraging both external partners and the MaineHealth community to contribute to this directory to support the current demand for child care. Your information will be added to the directory in real time and shared only with MaineHealth team members who are in need of support.

https://mainehealth.org/healthy-communities/coronavirus/child-care-connection

Hospitality & Food

Entertainment

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic CEI offices are closed to the public. CEI staff will be working remotely and want to hear from you! Please reach out to your CEI contact regarding scheduled meetings and/or any questions/concerns. Click here for a list of COVID-19 Business Resources.
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