Courtesy / Maine Grain Alliance
The alliance is compiling maps and lists of bakeries and breweries that are open and partially open.
April 28, 2020
Maine Grain Alliance launches emergency relief fund
Courtesy / Maine Grain Alliance
The Maine Grain Alliance in Skowhegan plans to award grants up to $2,000 to help grain-based business owners navigate the pandemic.
By Staff
The Maine Grain Alliance in Skowhegan is aiming to help grain-based business owners navigate the pandemic through a newly launched emergency relief fund.
The alliance this week issued a notice that seeks applications for grants up to $2,000.
The fund will support grain-based business owners with unexpected expenses relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and help with costs related to reopening businesses. The costs may include payroll expenses, supply acquisition (including personal protective equipment), transitions to online sales, curbside or delivery of products, and other unexpected costs.
Grain-based business owners and entrepreneurs demonstrating financial need are welcome to apply.
The alliance is especially interested in assisting participants, presenters, panelists, work-study students, vendors and scholarship recipients of the Kneading Conference and Maine Artisan Bread Fair.
The fund is made possible by the support of the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation, Maine Grains, Redington Fairview General Hospital, Slow Money Maine, Lisa Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund and Maine Farmland Trust, as well as contributions from the Maine Grain Alliance board of directors, and friends of the organization.
Proposals can be emailed to tristan@mainegrainalliance.com. The deadline is May 11, at 5 p.m. Awards will be announced May 15.
Applications should not exceed two page, and should include information on the following:
- Brief business overview
- Requested amount
- Description of their situation, including how the pandemic has affected daily operations, how the funds will be used, how many staffer are employed; and how many staffers are at risk.
In another effort to spur business during the ongoing public health crisis, the alliance has compiled maps and lists of bakeries and breweries that are open and partially open.
It is also working to gather information regarding the availability of curbside pickup or if the business is offering delivery. The list is not comprehensive and businesses may continue adding to it.
In February, the alliance awarded technical assistance mini-grants, of $250 to $1,000, to 19 grain-based businesses and organizations, including farms, bakeries, nonprofits, a brewery, and an oven builder, from Biddeford to Benton to Belgrade Lakes.
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