MIDCOAST — A total of 91 businesses in Knox and Waldo counties received aid money from the second phase of the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program. 

The grant program, backed by $200 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds, provides some financial relief for businesses and non-profit organizations that incurred business disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second phase of the program expanded access to funds by increasing the number of eligible organizations. Under the second phase, businesses and non-profits that employ up to 250 people are eligible for grant awards. In addition, licensed childcare and behavioral health organizations were eligible in this round, along with businesses and non-profits in their first year of operation.

Statewide, 1,222 awards were disbursed in the second phase, including 1,107 to businesses and 115 to non-profits, totaling $53.6 million dollars and averaging just over $43,000 per award.

The hospitality sector, particularly lodging and accommodations and restaurants, represent the largest percentage of recipients, drawing 29 percent of the awards, according to a news release. In addition, the Maine Economic Recovery Grant provided $7.4 million in grants to 193 businesses and non-profits that are less than a year old.

The grants are intended to help sustain the viability of Maine’s small businesses and nonprofits – not to replace lost profits – and will provide short-term relief to help stabilize Maine’s economy. 

Grants awarded through the program may be used to cover expenses including payroll costs and expenses; rent or mortgage payments for business facilities; utilities payments; necessary operating expenses; expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses; purchase of personal protective equipment required by the business- or business-related equipment.

In Knox County, 63 businesses received grants totaling $2,917,091.51 of aid money flowing into the county, with an average of $46,303.04 being distributed to businesses. The lowest amount of aid was $863.67 with the highest award being the maximum of $100,000. 

In Waldo County, 28 business received grants totaling $994,856.46 of aid money flowing into the county, with an average of $35,530.59 being distributed to businesses. The lowest amount of aid was $1,241.00 with the highest award being the maximum of $100,000. 

The two municipalities with the most businesses receiving aid were Rockland (17 businesses receiving $889,226.27) and Camden (17 businesses receiving $586,036.46). 

Appleton
Harrington's OffRoad Crane Service — $30,000.00
Nash Farms, Inc. — $100,000.00
Tar Paper Studio LLC — $15,000.00

Belfast
Belfast Pediatrics — $79,613.11
Downshift Coffee LLC — $35,000.00
Easterly Wine LLC — $10,042.56
Face It Aesthetic’s — $10,000.00
Local Color Gallery, LLC — $1,241.00
Moonbat LLC — $46,064.00
Perennial LLC — $10,000.00
The Otis Group Incorporated — $100,000.00
Victor Flick Corporation — $87,091.44

Camden
Abigail's Inn — $20,000.00
Atlantic Lodging & Management LLC — $39,175.00
Bishops Laundry & Carpet Service — $11,689.44
Brevetto, LLC — $63,623.67
Camden Riverhouse Hotel — $100,000.00
Deborah Cautela Massage & Movement — $2,732.56
Earth Flow, LLC Earth Candy, LLC — $12,917.67
Elms of Camden, Inc — $13,419.56
Fenwick Enterprises, LLC — $13,391.11
Inn Towne — $24,962.78
Mr. Washy Washy LLC — $28,439.00
Mt Battie Car Wash Inc — $14,488.67
People Place Day Care Center, Inc. — $7,634.78
Projects, Inc. — $4,653.44
Roula Giannos DMD PC — $47,273.67
The Tweed Shop, Inc. — $94,000.00
Weiss Hospitality Inc — $87,635.11

Cushing
|Daggett Plumbing & Heating Inc. — $75,417.22
Donald E Meklin & Sons Excavation, LLC — $100,000.00

Freedom
The Mill School — $3,085.00

Hope
Camp Bishopswood — $100,000.00
Sawyer Bookkeeping — $9,514.44

Islesboro
Clayton Builders — $55,874.89
The Beacon Project — $100,000.00

Lincolnville
Karen O'Neil, Independent Sales Representative — $5,557.33
Mount Battie Lodging, Inc. — $21,481.11
West Bay Realty LLC. — $100,000.00

Northport
Andrews Auctions and Appraisals — $29,002.90
Sweet MonkeyBusiness LLC — $25,000.00

Owls Head
Mainely Lobster and Seafood Inc. — $100,000.00
Owls Head Lobster Co. LLC — $100,000.00

Palermo
The Good Earth Farm — $10,518.67

Port Clyde
Randy and Melony Cushman — $28,961.96

Rockland
Angus Enterprises LLC — $62,216.56
Archers LLC — $100,000.00
Cassie Walters, Acupuncturist — $7,327.11
Dr. Eric J Hebert — $28,214.17
Fixtures Designer Plumbing Showroom of Maine Inc — $17,898.00
J&J Lobster, Inc. — $100,000.00
Maine Lighthouse Museum — $43,576.67
Miranda Inc. — $100,000.00
North End Shipyard Inc. — $30,861.89
Rock Harbor Brewing Company — $11,820.67
Rockland Foodservice Inc. — $27,788.87
S Richman Enterprises LLC — $33,935.22
Stuart Marine Corp. — $23,917.00
Talbot Hospitality Inc — $100,000.00
TEA Printers & Publishers Co. — $3,567.00
William A Farnsworth Library and Art Museum — $100,000.00
Main Street Markets, LLC — $98,103.11

Rockport
Imagination LLC — $30,000.00
Namaste Indian Food — $45,000.00
The Penobscot Bay Young Men's Christian Association — $100,000.00
Trapt Entertainment — $33,700.00

Searsmont
Cox Machine — $49,334.00

Searsport
Hana's Seaside Nails — $34,200.00
North Ridge Builders — $3,288.22

South Thomaston 
Flax Studios LLC — $33,802.22
Watermans Beach Brewery LLC — $18,000.00

Spruce Head
Craignair Inn by the Sea — $65,000.00

Stockton Springs
Massimos Cucina Italiana, Inc. — $7,982.11

Swanville
Calamity Daves LLC — $27,730.11

Tenants Harbor
Baitboy Inc. — $42,181.56

Thomaston
AJT LLC — $50,000.00
American Unagi — $100,000.00
Dream Local Digital LTD — $100,000.00
Rockland School of Ballet — $11,532.89

Thorndike
Daniel Curtis — $71,138.67

Union
History Live North East — $6,000.00

Unity
Rescue Ranch — $31,000.00

Vinalhaven
Dot & Millie's LLC — $53,750.00
Vinalhaven Shiatsu — $1,181.44

Waldo
Belfast Area Child Care Services, Inc. — $30,509.56
Mid-coast Family Rentals — $2,322.22

Warren
Josh Brow Inc — $19,938.00

Washington
Fortune Trucking LLC — $65,709.71
Rhizome, LLC — $863.67
Sweet Season Farm LLC — $6,275.67

Winterport
Old Winterport Commercial House — $7,779.56