Code of Maine Rules
19 - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
498 - OFFICE OF TOURISM AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 21 - RULES FOR THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND
Section 498-21-3 - Criteria for Eligibility

1. Community Based Organizations are eligible for Start-up Programs that develop the organization's operational capacity to deliver business development, community development and/or tourism development programs.

2. A detailed budget must be included with letters of commitment to meet the required Matching Funds, which may be cash or in kind.

3. All proposals must include measurable outcomes as to how the funds are proposed to be used with a time-table for implementing the program.

4. Moneys awarded from the Fund cannot supplant existing funding.

5. Proposals must include a viable plan for operating the program five years after the grant funding period.

6. Proposal must show a demonstrated need for funding to provide Start-up Programs to economically distressed regions or communities;

7. Preference will be given to proposals from areas of the state that meet at least one of the following criteria: serve labor market areas with unemployment at or above the State labor market average; serve counties with per capita income at or below the state average; serve areas whose county poverty rate is at or above the state average; and/or identified as host communities by the Mature and Dominant Industries Study commissioned by the Department in 1998.

Funds must be used to develop organizational capacity to meet the organization's goals and objectives. Funds cannot be used for business attraction marketing, small business or micro-enterprise technical assistance, or tourism promotion.

Grants will be awarded over a two year period, with 2/3's of the total grant provided in the first year and the remaining 1/3 granted in the second year. Grants must be matched on a one to one basis. Maximum grant award will be $100,000 and minimum grant award will be $50,000. Grants are for operating funds and may not be used to supplant existing funds. Second year funding is contingent upon grantee meeting performance standards. Grantees must submit an annual Report detailing the results of the program to be eligible for the remaining funds. Grantees must submit a Report at the end of the grant period detailing the program outcomes achieved as a result of the grant.