PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Businesses with five or fewer employees and gross sales under $250,000 may apply for a marketing mini-grant by Nov. 6 to augment their marketing budgets with up to $1,000.
New Ventures Maine awards cash mini-grants of up to $1,000 to microenterprises through a competitive application process to support a variety of marketing projects. A total of $1,000 is available for businesses in Aroostook County. Businesses will be chosen from a pool of applicants to receive grants. A 25 percent match is required.
New Ventures’ marketing mini-grant program strengthens access to markets for entrepreneurs by supporting the development of professional, well-planned marketing tools, materials, and activities. The mini-grants support new or expanded business marketing and promotion, not the production of your product or purchase of equipment, tools, furnishings or other fixed assets. Nonprofits are not eligible.
“With all the emerging technology, exploring new marketing approaches can seem out of reach. This is a great opportunity to explore those new methods and determine results without as much risk from day-to-day operating budgets,” said Karin Petrin, microenterprise specialist at New Ventures Maine’s Presque Isle office.
“This grant can cover a significant portion of some marketing projects,” Petrin said.
During the last round of grants in May 2020, the Maliseet Rollerama of Houlton was the one business from Aroostook County to receive an award. Marketing projects that were funded statewide include developing an online presence through a website and Facebook ads as well as support designing and building outdoor signage.
Applications may be submitted online at bit.ly/NVMEminigrants, or by written application. For more information, contact Petrin at 207-768-9468 or email Karin.petrin@maine.edu.
A statewide organization serving all sixteen Maine counties from nine centers and outreach sites, New Ventures Maine offers skills development and support in the areas of career planning, entrepreneurship and financial management. Training is offered in person and online.
More information on marketing mini-grants as well as other programs, classes, and resources for small businesses can be found at newventuresmaine.org.
