A total of 94 Maine charter transportation companies and businesses recently received federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF).
Average grants were $60,365, with 37 businesses receiving the maximum award of $100,000. Companies statewide received more than $5.6 million.
“The extended closure of the U.S.-Canadian border created unprecedented economic hardship in communities across much of northern and eastern Maine,” Gov. Janet Mills said. “I hope these grants will provide some support to border businesses and charter transportation businesses across the state who are most in need as the border finally reopens next month.”
In August, Mills launched the Charter Transportation and Border Business Assistance Grant Program. The program provides economic recovery funding to charter transportation, land, and sea excursion and sightseeing, port harbor businesses, and customer-facing businesses and organizations that are open to the public and within 25 miles driving distance of a U.S.-Canada border crossing.
Funds can be used to cover business expenses and operations that are strictly within Maine. Companies discovered misusing funds and grants are subject to audit.
Priority was given to businesses that did not receive CRF funds.
The grant program is one of several the Mills Administration’s initiated to provide financial relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.