MMTA Members,
MMTA will do its best to keep you updated about business assistance resources. Please check back here for further developments. Please reach out if we can help answer any questions or concerns by email at [email protected]
Added June 16, 2021
To help support Maine’s economy, the Back-to-Work Employer Grant Program offers grants to businesses to pay as hiring bonuses to qualifying new employees.
Added May 26, 2021
Effective May 24, 2021, Maine has retired the Covid-19 Prevention Checklists for businesses. Businesses are encouraged to now follow U.S. CDC Guidance for Employers, Business Owners & Community Leaders
Added May 14, 2021
Updates regarding the “unmasking” of Maine on May 24
Added May 12, 2021
New Marine Covid-19 Prevention Checklist HERE
Links to all Maine Covid-19 Prevention Checklists can be found HERE
Added May 5, 2021
Governor Mills announces the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan
Added March 25, 2021
PPP Loan Applications Expire March 31. More PPP information
Added March 5, 2021
Governor Janet Mills announces new capacity limits and plans for the upcoming tourist season
Added January 12, 2021
Second Round of PPP information from Maine SBDC
Added December 18, 2020
PPP Forgiveness Information from SBDC (8 weeks vs. 24 weeks)
Governor Mills’ Executive Order strengthening enforcement of Face Covering Requirements in all Indoor Public Spaces from December 11, 2020.
Added November 6, 2020
Governor Mills Announces New Face Covering Executive Order
Here is the link to the Maine SBDC Recovery & Relaunch Resource Center which offers confidential, no-cost, business advising.
Here is the link to the SBA page with information about applying for Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness.
Added October 1, 2020
Maine Economic Recovery Grants are now in Phase 2. The deadline to apply was October 23, 2020.
Here is the link to more information and the grant application with broader eligibility than Phase One.
Here is a link to an FAQ about the program.
Added August 26, 2020
Maine Economic Recovery Grants for businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program is intended to assist in covering losses incurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health response.
Businesses and organizations will be liable for any misuse of funds. The grants are taxable income and subject to audit. More details about eligibility and applications here.
Added August 5, 2020:
LAST CALL FOR PPP APPLICATIONS is August 8. Contact your lender. Some proposed federal stimulus legislation may include another extension of PPP or similar programs, but this is what is available now. Note: you cannot increase your original PPP amount you already received.
PPP FORGIVENESS APPLICATIONS begin on August 10. Contact your lender for the application.
TESTING RESOURCES – Find a test location
https://www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine/keepmainehealthy/testing
https://get-tested-covid19.org/
SIGNAGE RESOURCES
https://motpartners.com/additional-resources/tourism-updates/
Added July 8, 2020:
The latest Executive Order regarding face coverings in certain businesses in Maine’s coastal counties and larger cities.
Added July 6, 2020:
Updated marine business checklist from July 3.
Added July 1, 2020:
Visitors from Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey will be allowed to visit Maine without quarantine beginning Friday, July 3.
Added June 19, 2020:
There has been a slight update to the checklist in the section about boaters arriving from out of state. It is primarily a wording change, not a change of intent compared to the last checklist.
Added June 18, 2020:
From Maine DECD FAQ at this link:
Q. I live out of state, but I keep my boat in Maine. Can I access it?
A. As the State has implemented its quarantine measures to protect public health, DECD has tried to ensure that people who live outside of Maine have access to their personal property in Maine. As such, the Department worked with municipalities to establish a process that allows non-Maine residents access to and use of their property, but these individuals are prohibited from engaging with others while here. The Department believes that upholds the intent of the quarantine, which is to limit interaction, while also allowing people access to their property.
Added June 17, 2020
We have an updated checklist that includes the need for marinas to collect a Certificate of Compliance from certain boaters wishing to avoid the 14-day quarantine requirement.
Click Here to Download Updated Maine Safe Boating Graphic
Added June 11, 2020
The Paycheck Protection Program is still available to apply until June 30. Talk to your lender and find more information HERE.
Due to widespread fraud by organized criminals against the Maine unemployment system, you can submit unemployment fraud to the Maine Department of Labor HERE.
Added June 9, 2020
Maine Unveils “Keep Maine Healthy” Plan to Protect Maine People, Visitors, and Support Small Businesses During Tourism Season. This plan offers possible alternatives to the 14-day quarantine requirement for Maine tourists and visitors.
DMR Marina Stage 2 Checklist updated 6.9.20
Added June 1, 2020
Updated checklist DMR Marina Stage 2 Checklist
Added May 29, 2020:
Here is the latest information from SBA on PPP Loan Forgiveness
To help highlight some of the surprises in the loan forgiveness, here is a link to a blog written by our MMTA Board Secretary, Ben Ford, titled PPP Forgiveness.
Added May 8, 2020:
Twelve of Maine’s more rural counties can open retail operations starting May 11 with precautions. Read more here.
More resources from national organizations to help with operational safety ideas:
Guide to Operating Your Boat Business Safely from the Marine Retailers Association (MRAA)
Best Practices in Marina Operations During the Reopening of the Economy from the Association of Marina Industries (AMI)
Added April 30, 2020:
Members: We now have an OFFICIAL CHECKLIST from the state for safe marine operations. Please read the checklist then fill out the compliance form in order to open (with restrictions) on May 1. If you already received essential designation to operate, you do not have to fill out the compliance form, but we suggest that you read the checklist and do it anyway to show that our industry is doing our best to all try to operate under the same guidelines.
Step 1 -Read the checklists
Maine’s Official PHASE 1 Checklist for Marinas, Boatyards, and Marine Manufacturers Marine checklist last updated 5/5/20
Maine’s General Guidance Covid-19 Prevention Checklist
Step 2 – Complete the state’s compliance form (option to receive a badge to show you have pledged to be compliant).
Step 3 – Educate staff, customers, and perhaps your local municipality/neighbors about the checklist. For more information, please visit the Maine DECD.
Added April 28, 2020:
Governor’s 4-Phase Plan to Reopen the Maine Economy Announced Today
We got clarification from Maine DECD that marinas and boatyards are included in Phase 1 operations. We are still waiting for a response from boat dealerships but noted that automobile dealerships are included.
Marinas – it will be important to remind customers coming to Maine about the 14-day quarantine that also applies if they are coming by boat.
Added April 24, 2020:
Members – please review this draft of suggested guidelines for boating and waterfront operations.
Generic Safe Boating Graphic To Share
We will be working with Maine DECD to help them understand how we might open our waterfronts for boaters this season. Please send any feedback or additional suggestions as soon as possible to [email protected]. Our guidelines are focused on waterfront operations because many retail stores have already created ideas on how to operate, and boat builders had essential designation and typically do not involve any public access. Here are some suggested guidelines from NMMA for builders and manufacturers. If you are a boat builder or retail store and need suggestions on how to operate safely, please email Stacey.
Added April 20, 2020: Safe Boating Tips from MRAA you can share with customers
Added April 14, 2020: Today, Governor Mills extended our State of Civil Emergency to May 15.
Added April 9, 2020: MMTA Members are welcome to join our private Facebook group to share questions and discussion. Look for the April 9 post to join the Marine Trades Association Members’ Group on the MMTA Facebook Page.
Added April 7, 2020: National Marine Manufacturers Association NMMA’s FAQ for CARES ACT
Added April 1, 2020: The Maine DECD’s current list of essential businesses. These businesses are in addition to the federal Homeland Security List in Governor Mill’s mandate from March 24, 2020.
Note: Scroll down to transportation sector page 10 and the food sector on page 8, if you support commercial fishing. All of our members are different. If you believe your business is essential, you may apply for essential service designation with the state here.
If you missed the webinar, here are the April 1 Webinar Slides.
*Please note that program details may change so please contact your employment attorney, lenders, and/or your accountant for more information.
Added March 31, 2020: Emergency Response in the Marine Industry for MMTA Members, Wednesday, April 1 at 9 AM, hosted by Verrill
Added March 30, 2020: Employee Rights Poster for Sick and Medical Leave Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Added March 26, 2020: Paid Leave Information from the Federal Department of Labor
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions & Answers
Added March 24, 2020: Maine’s updated business mandate from Governor Mills
If you are a member and did not receive the MMTA email on March 24 regarding essential and non-essential businesses, please email [email protected].
Added March 23, 2020: Federal and State Small Business Resources
Added on March 19, 2020:
Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years, and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications here. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For complete details on SBA, visit www.sba.gov.
SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process at 1-800-659-2955.
Added March 18, 2020:
Here is the summary of what is available in Maine as of March 18, 2020. File for unemployment insurance or SBA loans.
Here are some FAQs for employees and employers from the Maine Department of Labor regarding unemployment.