We are here. We can help. Contact an SBDC advisor. Request advising.
LIVE WEBINARS:

Q&A Thursday with SBDC Business Advisors
TODAY! April 30 at 12 pm | Via Zoom | REGISTER

Crisis Marketing: Finding Opportunity in COVID
May 6, 2020 at 11 am | Via Zoom | REGISTER

Q&A Thursday with SBDC Business Advisors
May 7, 2020 at 12 pm | Via Zoom | REGISTER
Unemployment for the Self-Employed
Maine Department of Labor will begin accepting applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning May 1st. This includes coverage for the self-employed. Maine DOL has publish a comprehensive FAQ and you can apply here starting tomorrow, Friday May 1st.
Restarting Maine - When can you reopen your business?
Governor Mills outlined a plan to reopen the economy. Starting May 1st, some businesses may begin to reopen under strict safety guidelines.

When your business is proposed to open? Click here .

Current industry checklists and downloadable badges for the Stage 1 businesses are here .

Still have questions? Contact Business Answers at 1-800-872-3838 or business.answers@maine.gov.

What should you do now? PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! We cannot stress enough how important planning for this next chapter is. Our recent webinar provides some guidance on creating a plan in this new reality.
Reminder: Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been refunded and lenders are processing applications. We recommend interested businesses get their applications in ASAP , as funding for the program is limited. CONTACT YOUR LENDER TO APPLY.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Update
As of right now, the SBA is not accepting new applications for EIDL advances or loans. Newly appropriated funds to the program are being used on existing application.

As a reminder, the SBDC cannot confirm the status of your application. SBA's customer service is the best place to get information, though they are not providing status updates on individual applications at this time: 1-800-659-2955. Based on what we've seen, the EIDL advance ($1,000 per employee, up to $10,000 max) is taking 10 days or longer. The EIDL loan is taking between 6-8 weeks to process.

You are not alone. Maine SBDC can help.
What else can you be doing to get your business through this? A Maine SBDC business advisor can help. Request advising here .

Where to get up-to-date info on resources available to your business?
Our website is the best place to get the latest updates for small businesses in Maine. Check out our resources page to find available programs, the latest updates and changes and tips on what you can be doing now!
Need help? Contact your SBDC advisor for assistance or for help understanding what resources are available to your business. Request advising here.
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Maine SBDC | 800-679-7232 | mainesbdc@maine.edu | www.mainesbdc.org