Like you, we have been following the news regarding COVID-19, and are concerned about its impact on local businesses.
To contact us with questions or specific needs, reach out to our Executive Director
Latest News
- Governor Mills issues Stay at Home Order
- Latest Updates from Governor Mills
- Regular Updates from Senator Heather Sanborn (who is also a business owner)
- Latest News from the City of Portland
Government Resources
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- Maine CDC’s guidance for businesses
- Maine CDC Coronavirus Business Hub
- Maine Department of Labor
- Maine Department of Labor Coronavirus Resource List
- Maine Department of Economic & Community Development:
HOURS: weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST
1-800-872-3838 in Maine
1-800-541-5872 from outside of Maine
business.answers@maine.gov - 2-1-1 Maine can answer many of your general COVID19 questions
- Small Business Guide to the CARES Act (Federal Stimulus Package)
Unemployment Insurance
- Ways to support your employees if they’re applying for Unemployment Insurance
- New Flexibilities in Unemployment Insurance
- How to file for Unemployment
- Unemployment Insurance Update from Senator Heather Sanborn
- Re-employ Maine (employers should create an account)
- Department of Labor Unemployment FAQs
- Unemployment Conference Call (Recording from Maine Equal Justice)
Federal Relief Programs
(CARES Act, PPP, SBA Loans, EIDL, etc)
General advice:
- Take fastidious accounting notes
- Call your lenders if you have not already. They can discuss what your options are, and work with you as needed. This might include providing a loan, restructuring your current loan, extending your credit lines, deferring loan payments, waiving late payment fees, and more.
- See our Call to Action to ask elected officials for small business grants and more.
- SBA Loan
- Governor Mills requesting disaster support for small businesses; State Legislature considering extending Unemployment Insurance to workers impacted by Coronavirus
- Application and More Information: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
- Maine Fact Sheet: https://www.portlandbuylocal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ME_16334-EIDL-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- Direct link to SBA Loan application: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Account/Register1
- IRS form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf
- Ongoing Conference Calls
- Financial Assistance via Finance Authority of Maine
- Federal Tax Payment Deadline Extended
- If you are truly in dire straights (and have *already called your lenders*, look into opening a zero percent interest credit card and transferring your balance. Check CreditKarma or NerdWallet for ideas, but know that large lending institutions are likely going to be tightening these and limiting who qualifies. Call your local lenders first to see what they can arrange!
- Call your landlord and ask for a rent deferral
HR Resources
- When Business Threats are Contagious: 10 Answers for Employers Navigating the Coronavirus
- Apps to Help You Work From Home
Additional Business Resources
- OSHA’s information page on COVID-19
- How companies can deal with COVID
- Small Business Development Center Resiliency Toolkit
- MaineHealth Coronavirus Page
- Multilingual Resources
Share Your Feedback
Portland Buy Local would like to know how Coronavirus is (or might) impact your business, and what (if any) services you are offering to consumers.
Tell us what you’re offering right now – delivery, online classes, etc