Maine Micro-Enterprise Assistance Grant (MEA)
Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Office of Community Development
Up to $10,000 per business
Up to $10,000 grant for Maine micro-enterprises with five or fewer employees and a low/moderate-income owner.
The Maine Micro-Enterprise Assistance (MEA) Grant provides grant funds to micro-enterprise businesses in eligible Maine communities for working capital, interior renovations, exterior improvements, signage, and planning. The 2026 CDBG Program Statement caps assistance at $10,000 per individual business. To qualify, a business must have five or fewer employees, one of whom owns the enterprise, and the owner must meet low/moderate-income guidelines. Applications are submitted through local Small Business Development Center advisors.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $10,000
- Realistic amount
- $5,000–$10,000 per micro-enterprise
- Deadline
- Letters of Intent for Economic Development/Micro-Enterprise due the first Friday of each month starting July 3, 2026; full applications by invitation only
- Status
- active
- States
- ME
Who qualifies
- Business must be a for-profit micro-enterprise with five or fewer employees (including owner)
- Owner of the enterprise must be low/moderate income as defined by HUD
- Business must be located in an eligible Maine community (non-entitlement areas; entitlement communities excluded)
- Existing businesses must provide previous year’s personal income tax return to verify income eligibility
- Cannabis-related businesses are not eligible
Who is not eligible
- Businesses with more than five employees
- Owners who do not meet low/moderate-income guidelines
- Businesses located in entitlement communities (Auburn, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston, Portland, and most of Cumberland County)
- Cannabis-related businesses
- Businesses seeking assistance for residential-only buildings or public infrastructure
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Working capital
- Interior renovations
- Exterior improvements including signage, painting, siding, awnings, lighting, display windows
- Eligible planning activities
Ineligible expenses
- Sewer, water, storm drainage, parking, roads or streets
- Buildings solely for residential use
- Land purchases
- Livestock purchases
How to apply
-
1
Meet with a local Maine SBDC advisor
Contact your local Small Business Development Center advisor to review eligibility, financial statements, and project scope. The advisor determines whether the business qualifies.
~1 hrs
-
2
Prepare project description and budget
Work with the SBDC advisor and the sponsoring community to develop a project budget, scope, and required income documentation.
~3 hrs
-
3
Community submits Letter of Intent
The participating community submits a Letter of Intent to DECD by the first Friday of the month. If invited, a full application is prepared.
~0.5 hrs
-
4
Complete full application by invitation
Submit the full MEA application through the community/SBDC if invited by DECD. Include tax returns, business financials, and project details.
~2 hrs
-
5
Project implementation and reimbursement
After award and contract, carry out the project and request reimbursement for eligible expenses.
You cannot apply directly; start by contacting your local Maine SBDC advisor, who will shepherd the application through the sponsoring community.
Deadline & timing
Next Letter of Intent due September 4, 2026. The community/SBDC submits on behalf of the micro-enterprise business.
Required documents
- Previous year’s personal income tax return for the owner
- Business financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet)
- Project budget and scope description
- Proof of business registration
- Documentation of employee count
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