Code of Maine Rules
19 - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
499 - OFFICE OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 302 - RULES FOR THE MAINE MICROENTERPRISE INITIATIVE
Section 499-302-1 - PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS

A. Purpose

The Maine Microenterprise Initiative is a program designed to provide grants for community-based non-profit organizations to provide Training and/or Technical Assistance to Microenterprises. The purpose of the rule is to define the criteria and proposal process for applications to the Fund.

B. Definitions

Areas of High Unemployment: "Areas of High Unemployment" shall mean Labor Market Areas with greater than the State average unemployment.

Commissioner: "Commissioner" shall mean the Commissioner of the Department.

Community-based Organization: "Community-based Organization" shall mean a non-profit organization in Maine that has broad-based support from the community they serve; a viable plan for provide Training and/or Technical Assistance to Microenterprises; an adequate source of funding; and a demonstrated need for funding to provide Training and/or Technical assistance to Microenterprises.

Community-based Partnerships: "Community-based Partnerships" shall mean partnerships between two or more community-based organizations in Maine seeking to receive grants from the fund.

Department: "Department" shall mean the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Fund: "Fund" shall mean the Microenterprise Initiative Fund established in 5 MSRA § 13063-E.

Grantee: "Grantee" shall mean Community-based Organization or Community-based Partnerships awarded a grant from the fund.

Grant Selection Committee: "Grant selection committee" shall mean a committee designated by the Commissioner to review and make recommendations regarding proposals.

Leveraged Match: "Leveraged Match" shall mean services leveraged through Community-based Partnerships or Community-based Organizations. The match may be in the form of cash, staff time and overhead expense directly attributable to microenterprise training and technical assistance. Grant funds cannot be used to supplant existing organizational funds, and can only be used to supplement funds leveraged for the program purposes.

Microenterprises: "Microenterprise" shall mean an existing or start-up business employing 10 or fewer full time equivalent employees.

Report: "Report" shall mean a written evaluation of grant funds expended, and the uses and outcomes of those expenditures by the grantee.

Targeted Industries: "Targeted Industries" shall mean the industries targeted by the State of Maine's Economic Development Strategy, prepared annually by the Department, including microenterprise support and development.

Technical Assistance: "Technical Assistance" shall mean consultation, counseling, mentoring, and other forms of assistance that address the specific concerns of microenterprises.

Training Program: "Training Program" shall mean a classroom based or other structured learning program designed to impart knowledge and build skills necessary for small business start-up, growth and stabilization.

Under served Areas: "Under served Areas" shall mean areas of the state that have no regular, convenient, consistent access to training, technical assistance or other business support services.