Programs to develop skilled textile workers, help rural female entrepreneurs and develop small-business incubator space in downtown Millinocket are among the latest recipients of Maine Community Foundation Start Up/Scale Up Grant Program.
A total of $200,000 was awarded in the latest funding round of a program that invests in nonprofits and projects that help get new businesses off the ground or grow existing ones.
While the organization did not specify the size of each award, the average amount is $20,000, according to the Maine Community Foundation’s website.
A report for the Maine Community Foundation published last year by former Maine state economist Catherine DeLutio reviewed national research on the impact of programs to support entrepreneurship.
It found that successful programs have a good management, rich networks and intensive, customized, in-person programming. It also pointed to an emerging strategy of integrating programs into longer-term efforts to create an entrepreneurial culture throughout a community.Â
Below is a full list of recipients and projects in the latest funding round. The next deadline for applications is April 1, 2021. Applications and guidelines are available online.
Recipients and projects
Catholic Charities of Maine, Lewiston, to create a makerspace that will develop skilled immigrant textile workers through onsite textile businesses from contract work for manufacturers.
Coastal Enterprises Inc., Brunswick, to expand its programming to support, advise, and guide rural women entrepreneurs
Engine Inc., Biddeford, to launch IGNITE incubator in partnership with the Office of Innovation and Economic Development at the University of Maine to support entrepreneurs whose competitive advantage is design
Main Street Skowhegan, to support Scale Up Skowhegan, a plan for economic growth that is grounded in data, encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and supports business development
New England Arab American Organization, Portland, to launch an entrepreneurship program for Arab American and New Mainer women so they may gain skills, support and knowledge about starting small businesses
Our Katahdin, to develop affordable space in downtown Millinocket to incubate small businesses and create a vibrant environment for entrepreneurs and community to connect and access resources
Piscataquis Regional Food Center, Dover-Foxcroft, to develop a strategic plan for acquiring specialized commercial food processing equipment as part of a program to incubate regional food product businesses
Sunrise County Economic Council, Machias, to provide co-working space, broadband access and training, programming for cohorts, and business incubators for Washington County small businesses
Tear Cap Workshops, Hiram, to support Rent-a-Bench makerspace program and to develop a new workspace for an entrepreneur or artisan
UpStart Maine Inc., Orono, to build a pool of mentors in the Bangor region available to scalable startup companies in the programs of the UpStart Maine coalition.
The Upstart Center for Entepreneurship in Orono is home to the UpStart incubator, which provides coaching services and support to entrepreneurs in order to build competitive, market-oriented companies.
