SBA

SCORE's northern Maine chapter has been recognized with the SBA's 2026 National SCORE Chapter of the Year Award.

The Small Business Administration is offering loans of up to $2 million to some small businesses and nonprofits that experienced weather-related financial losses last May.

The National Federation of Independent Business said its optimism index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, the highest reading since June 2021.

The SBA counts any business with fewer than 500 employees as a "small business." In Maine, 99.2% of all businesses fall into that category.

A quarterly index of business confidence has returned to lower levels seen in late 2022, but the head of the Small Business Administration in Maine says that helpful resources are available.

Small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and nonprofits in six counties can apply for low-interest emergency loans from the Small Business Administration.

Since 2020, over 60 small businesses in Maine have received financial assistance to support their international exporting, resulting in $6.9 million in sales.

A Portland entrepreneur with a composting business will be among those taking home prizes at the Small Business Administration's Maine awards ceremony next month in Hallowell.

Over the past year, the Small Business Administration made 417 loans in Maine that weren't through the Paycheck Protection Program or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.