EMDC awards $1.4M in grants to 56 small businesses through Economic Recovery Hub Program
Eastern Maine Development Corporation is pleased to announce the continued success of its Economic Recovery Implementation Hub program, having awarded $1.4 million in grant funding to 54 small businesses across the region as of July 1. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, the program is made possible through a contract with the Department of Economic and Community Development and is designed to support businesses established after Jan. 1, 2020.
This comprehensive initiative offers more than financial support, it provides technical assistance, entrepreneurial training, and one-on-one guidance to help businesses in Eastern Maine not only recover but continue to grow. EMDC’s efforts have reached across Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington and Hancock counties, with a strong focus on underserved and rural communities.
The impact of this funding is already being felt across the region. Here are just a few examples:
Penobscot Bay Estate located in Winterport, a wedding and events venue, faced significant disruptions during the pandemic, with postponed celebrations and stalled renovation projects hindering business growth. With support from the grant, the business was able to finish the weatherization of its facility, reducing weather-related disruptions, and drawing more visitors to the area. This has resulted in increased bookings and new business for local vendors in the hospitality and event sectors.
Two child care organizations, Mis Primeros Pasos (My First Steps) and The Clubhouse Childcare, were similarly impacted by pandemic-related closures and operational restrictions that limited enrollment and stretched staffing. Grant funding allowed both providers to update classroom equipment, improve safety measures, and support staff retention, expanding their capacity to serve working families and strengthening the region’s childcare infrastructure.
In addition to financial support, businesses received hands-on technical assistance from EMDC and a strong network of spoke partners, including Four Directions Development Corporation, UpStart Maine, Maine MultiCultural Center, Northern Maine Development Commission and the Cooperative Development Institute. This support included help with business plan development, marketing strategies, digital tools, and entrepreneurial training through workshops, mentoring and one-on-one advising tailored to each business’s unique goals.
To fully gauge the impact of the program, EMDC is conducting a comprehensive Grant Efficiency Study as the initiative nears completion. The study includes in-depth interviews with grant recipients and gathers both quantitative and qualitative data on how the funding influenced business growth, job creation, infrastructure upgrades and operational stability. It also explores ripple effects within local economies, such as increased foot traffic and expanded access to services, as well as community-level benefits like childcare access, tourism development and entrepreneurial mentorship. The findings will provide a clear picture of how targeted investments in small businesses can drive long-term economic resilience across rural Maine. The full report will be published and available to the public on EMDC’s website (emdc.org) by July 31.
Lee Umphrey, president & CEO said, “This program, part of Gov. Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, is a stellar example on how government can make a difference. With federal funds going to the state, and then to EMDC, we identified worthy and eligible local businesses who needed a boost to soldier through the pandemic. This endeavor reflects the spirit of Maine’s small businesses, the value of state and federal partnerships and our community-based approach to achieve prosperity.”
Since launching in 2023, the Economic Recovery Hub program has delivered grants ranging from $14,000 to $50,000. In addition to the 56 grantees, about 175 businesses have received technical assistance, reinforcing the region’s small business ecosystem and helping local entrepreneurs adapt, innovate and thrive.
Eastern Maine Development Corporation is a non-profit based in Bangor fostering public-private partnerships and leveraging resources to help communities, businesses and individuals reach long-term goals and achieve prosperity. EMDC’s service area covers Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock and Washington counties.