AROOSTOOK COUNTY — Businesses with five or fewer employees and gross sales of $250,000 or less are invited to apply by Nov. 3 for marketing mini-grants offered by New Ventures Maine.
New Ventures awards cash mini-grants of up to $400 to microenterprises through a competitive application process to support a variety of marketing projects. The organization will choose businesses from a pool of applicants to receive grants. A 25 percent match is required.
The grants strengthen access to markets for entrepreneurs by supporting the development of professional, well-planned marketing tools, materials, and activities. NVME’s mini-grants support new or expanded business marketing and promotion, but not the production of a product or purchase of equipment, tools, furnishings or other fixed assets. Non-profits 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. “This grant can cover a significant portion of some marketing projects.”
During the last process in May, Darlene Dumond of Two Rivers Lunch in Allagash and Tom and Nancy Pierce of Stumpy Acres Farms in Perham won mini-grants from Aroostook County. Grant recipients have used the funds to develop an online presence through a website and Facebook ads, as well as for support designing and building outdoor signage.
Applications may be submitted online at http://newventuresmaine.org/programs/start-a-business/marketing-mini-grants/, or by written application. For further information, contact Petrin at (207) 768-9468 or email Karin.petrin@maine.edu.
New Ventures serves all 16 Maine counties from nine centers and outreach sites, offering skills development and support in the areas of career planning, entrepreneurship and financial management. Training is offered in person and online.
Visit newventuresmaine.org.
