Maine’s Jobs and Recovery Plan included today the announcement of $3.3 million in business grants to 40 businesses across the state. Among them are five Midcoast ventures: two in Monroe, one in Northport, one in Rockland, and one in Belfast.

Those businesses are: $50,000 to Active Intelligence LLC, in Rockland, for marketing; 3 Legged Dog Ink, Monroe $16,500 for a spring trade show; Dandy Ram Farm LLC, Monroe, $18,500, for national shipping of Maine grown florals and forestry products; Atlantic Blanket Company, in Northport, $75,000 for Swans Island Marketing Enhancement Program; and Deep Blue Aquaculture LLC, Belfast, $50,000, for farmed scallops.

The Domestic Trade Program offers Maine businesses financial and technical support to develop new market opportunities across the United States. The $6 million Jobs Plan initiative is modeled on a key recommendation of Maine’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy to promote economic growth and strengthen Maine’s business climate for startups, according to a news release from the Governor’s office.

Grants are to help Maine companies expand domestic sales of Maine-made products ranging from blueberries and oysters to forest products and medical supplies. A second round of grants will be awarded to Maine businesses later this year.

“Maine people know that the best products in the world are made right here in Maine, and with the help of these grant awards, consumers across the United States will learn about the high-quality goods and services Maine businesses have to offer too,” said Governor Janet Mills, in the release. “By helping Maine businesses promote their products across the United States, we can boost sales, create jobs, and strengthen Maine’s economy.”

Governor Mills launched the Domestic Trade Program during a visit to Flowfold in Gorham last October. The Maine-based outdoor gear manufacturer used funding from a pilot project of the Domestic Trade program to expand the market presence of its products across the country through newly redesigned packaging and trade show materials. The successful efforts led to increased sales and new wholesale agreements with prominent national retailers.

The Domestic Trade program is administered through the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development with support from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which is providing technical assistance to businesses and organizations with the grant application process, coordinating the review of applications and disbursing grant funds.

Several partners, including the Maine International Trade Center, Maine Technology Institute, Maine APEX Accelerator, and Maine Made are also distributing Domestic Trade funding.

A second round of Domestic Trade Program grant funding is now open for applications. Eligible Maine-based businesses are invited to apply now through April 12, 2024.

For detailed application and eligibility information, businesses and organizations are encouraged to visit www.maine.gov/decd/domestic-trade.

The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is Governor Mills' plan, approved by the Legislature, to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds to improve the lives of Maine people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy poised for future prosperity. Since Jobs Plan took effect in 2021, over $743 million in Jobs Plan funding has been spent or committed to deliver results on behalf of Mainers.

Under Governor Mills' leadership, Maine’s gross domestic product is growing at the 10th best rate in the nation. The unemployment rate is currently 3.2 percent, which is below the U.S. rate, with Maine’s total employment reaching a record high of 656,400 filled jobs in December 2023, higher than the pre-pandemic average for calendar year 2019.

For more about the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan.