Gardiner offering small-business catalyst grants

GARDINER – Gardiner Main Street, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting economic and community development downtown, is offering a catalyst grant program for small businesses.
The initiative will provide funding to help strengthen established businesses in the city, and encourage growth or development that might otherwise be delayed or less feasible.
As small businesses continue to face challenges brought on from the pandemic, recovery continues to be held back by inflation, supply chain disruption and staffing shortages. The grant program will provide support to help address these obstacles and critical needs, and to plan for long-term success and resilience.
Funded by repayment from a concluded loan program, grants up to $2,500 are available. The money may be used for expenses including physical improvements, inventory, marketing, payroll and utilities. Applications are being accepted through Friday, June 3. A panel will review applications and make selections based on the impact of the proposed projects, the impact of the company’s services on the community, and the sustainability of the business. Grant reviewers will also consider the number of employees and length of time the business has been in operation.
Eligible businesses must be federally recognized for-profit establishments on commercial property in Gardiner with 50 or fewer employees and have been open for more than six months. The GMS Catalyst Grant program has limited funding, therefore not all grant requests may be approved.
Grant awards are expected to be announced by mid-June. Applications and complete program details are available at gardinermainstreet.org/catalyst. For additional information, contact Gardiner Main Street at 207-582-3100 or melissa@gardinermainstreet.org