Posts Categorized: News & Events

Understanding Your Customer: Using Market Research to Ensure and Shape your Future

By: Madeleine Lutts, Maine SBDC Intern Since everyday life and the general business landscape have changed dramatically for almost all of us this year, most consumers are acting and behaving differently in at least one way. If you think about your shopping habits, and whether or not your shopping experiences have changed in the recent… Read more »

Employer Leave Obligations as Schools Reopen

As the 2020-21 school year approaches, parents and employers alike face tremendous challenges. Will education be in person, hybrid, or entirely virtually? How will working parents care for their children while doing remote schooling? It’s important for business owners to understand Federal and State rulings that impact both employers and employees.

Business Owners – the SBDC needs your help.

Help us help you. The Maine SBDC, in partnership with the University of Southern Maine, has developed the  Small Business COVID Crisis Survey . The goal of the survey is to help us better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses throughout Maine.

Serving Customers During a Pandemic

By: Keenan Hendricks, Maine SBDC Intern Customer service looks different these days. As a business owner, you are in control of how your customers see you through this shift. While it is vital to try your best to enforce and follow CDC safety guidelines, there are opportunities to serve and develop relationships with your customers amidst… Read more »

Tips to Prepare for Reopening

By: Business Advisor Susan Desgrosseilliers Though your business may be closed, now is the time to start preparing for your next chapter.  We recommend you develop a well thought out plan for when you can open again. While not all businesses are brick and mortar, many of these tips can be applied to your business…. Read more »

How YOU Can Support Local Businesses Right Now

Small businesses need you now more than ever. Maine would not be complete without the small businesses that make our communities unique, or without the hardworking business owners who create quality jobs for our families, friends and neighbors. We are all in this together. Pay It Forward and Maine Helps initiatives encourage Mainers to come… Read more »

Round 1 of the Paycheck Protection Program

Revised 1/20/2020: Important updates to this FIRST ROUND of PPP in the Economic Aid Act, passed December 2020. NEW Forgiveness Application for loans of $150,000 or less can be found here SBA EIDL Advance amount will no longer reduce the amount that can be forgiven. Previously, if you had received an SBA EIDL advance/grant (which… Read more »

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL)

Need help? Contact your SBDC advisor. Request Advising Here. Revised 1/4/2021 The EIDL LOAN application has been extended through December 31st, 2021. The Advance/Grant is not currently available. The loan application deadline has been extended to December 31st, 2021.