PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Businesses with five or fewer employees and gross sales under $150,000 can apply by June 11 to augment their marketing budget with up to $1,000 from New Ventures Maine.
NVM 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. The mini-grant program strengthens access to markets for entrepreneurs by supporting the development of professional, well-planned marketing tools, materials and activities. The funds support new or expanded business marketing and promotion, rather than production. 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, business adviser and microenterprise specialist with New Ventures’ Presque Isle office.
Petrin said the grant can cover a significant portion of some marketing projects. During the last round of grants in November 2020, two businesses from Aroostook County were awarded mini-grants.
A Sole in Knead of Houlton and Great North Woods Teas and Herbs used the funds to assist their marketing projects, which included design and acquisition of various pieces of printed marketing collateral and a strategic online social media marketing campaign.
Applications may be submitted online at bit.ly/AroostookMinigrant2021, or by written application. For more information, contact Petrin at 207-768-9468 or email Karin.petrin@maine.edu.
A statewide organization serving all 16 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.
