Updated 7/14/23
Program(s) Administered by CEI
Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) has been selected to serve as Third-Party Administrator on behalf of the State of Maine for the following program(s).
Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program
The Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program will provide funding to help start new child care businesses and expand the number of children served by existing child care providers. Grants are available through 2024 or until all funds are awarded, whichever comes first. In total, the funds awarded through the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program are expected to add more than 3,500 new child care slots.
$15 million dollars in federal funding has been allocated for the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan and Child Care Plan for Maine. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) is administering the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program through a partnership with CEI.
Learn more: Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program
Other Maine Programs
Grow Maine
Update 7/14/23: The Grow Maine Program, including Grow Maine at CEI, is not currently accepting applications as FAME awaits further funding availability. Please check back in the future for updates. If you have questions about an outstanding application, please contact your loan officer. Thank you.
Grow Maine, established by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), administers the U.S. Treasury Department’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program.
Grow Maine funds require at least 1:1 match to access funding.
CEI has a one-stop solution: Grow Maine at CEI. Eligible borrowers can access both SSBCI and match funds in a single loan package, with flexible repayment terms offered at competitive interest rates.
To learn more any apply: https://www.ceimaine.org/financing/growme/
Thrive Maine
Administered by FAME, Thrive Maine is a forgivable loan program for businesses and nonprofits that demonstrate COVID-related negative economic impacts. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), an economic stimulus bill that was passed by the 117th United States Congress, with $58 million allocated to support Maine small businesses by the Legislature and Governor Mills under LD 1733 through the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan.
There will be two application periods. The first application period is now open and the second round will take place in 2023.
To learn more and apply, visit: Thrive Maine: Pandemic Recovery Forgivable Business Loan Program – FAME Maine