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V O L . X X V I I N O. X X I V N OV E M B E R 1 , 2 0 2 1 6 The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems in Portsmouth, N.H. was awarded a total of $3.4 million in federal funds to support weather and ocean data col- lection programs in the Gulf of Maine. Of these funds, $1.1 million will be directed to five Maine-based ocean research and science institutions charged with monitoring weather and ocean data in the Gulf that are funda- mental to public safety and economic activity. Maine recipients included the University of Maine, $900,000; the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, $137,325; the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, in partnership with the Passamaquoddy at Pleasant Point (Sipayik) and the Peskotomuhkati Nation, $15,000; U.S. Geological Survey Maine, $8,000; and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, $6,095. The Office of Violence Against Women, an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice, awarded a total of $8.9 million to 14 organizations throughout Maine to support rape crisis centers and assist victims of domestic vio- lence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. Funding through the Legal Assistance for Victims Program went to Next Step Domestic Violence Project, $600,000; Caring Unlimited Corp., $596,653; Family Violence Project, $596,527; and Partners for Peace, $552,131. Partners for Peace also received $450,000 through the Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Program. A total of $433,731 through the Violence Against Women Tribal Governments Program went to Penobscot Indian Nation; $1.1 mil- lion through the STOP Formula Grant Program went to the Maine Department of Public Safety; Maine Department of B U S I N E S S M A I N E Business news from around the state A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y T e r r y J o h n s o n a n d C a r r i e G r e e n Y a r d l e y The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: I've heard that Maine will receive a large amount of funding through the American Recovery Plan Act. How much will it receive, and how much is available as direct funding to private business? ACE Answers: Maine will receive $4.6 billion to be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. In July the legisla- ture approved Gov. Janet Mills's 69-page plan. The funding includes sig- nificant direct grants to busi- nesses. Since approval state agencies have been developing grant award criteria. ACE is an organizational partner of Maine Accelerates Growth (MxG), a coalition of organizations supporting Maine's entrepreneurial economy. ACE and MxG's other organiza- tional partners assist businesses in taking advantage this opportunity and are involved in establishing grant criteria. Keep an eye on these grants. ACE President Terry Johnson, of Practical Decisions, provides practical professional support for established businesses and start-ups. He manages MCE's Maine Mentor Network. He can be reached at terry@ practicaldecisions.com. ACE Vice President Carrie Green Yardley is a business lawyer based in Greater Portland. She can be reached at carrie@yardleyesq.com. Both Terry and Carrie participate in Maine Accelerates Growth (MxG). For updates on this article, see "What Your Business Needs to Know About ARPA Funding" at consultexpertise.com/blog/11673410 @ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY: 2021–22 2022–23 Support farms and food processors $19.8M $0 Recovery funds for forest products industry $10M $10M Competitive infra-structure grants for seafood processors and dealers $10M $0 DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: COVID recovery grants. $20M $0 Recovery grants for businesses and entrepreneurs not previously qualified $5M $1M Finance Authority of Maine loans and guarantees, including rural development projects $33.4M $15M Business assistance programs through FAME for innovative business financing and organizational models (e.g. B-corps, cooperatives and ESOPs) $5M $5M Technical assistance for new businesses and entrepreneurs $2M $2M Business diversity initiatives $800K $200K Matching grants to encourage investment in technology sectors (through the Maine Technology Institute) $25M $14.6M EFFICIENCY MAINE TRUST Energy efficiency matching grants $15M $35M Department of Health and Human Services Grants for Improvements to child care facilities $4.9M $4.9M MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY Technical and planning assistance to public and private entities for affordable, energy- efficient housing $10M $40M DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION Assist small businesses providing group health insurance $19.5M $19.5M Health and Human Services received $428,498 through the Sexual Assault Services Formula Program; Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault received $172,076 and the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence received $98,706 through the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program; Hope and Justice Project received $950,000 and Through These Doors received $749,966 through the Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Program; Cumberland County received $394,640 through the Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking Program; and Wabanaki Women's Coalition received $341,347 through the Tribal Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program. U.S. Sen. Angus King said the U.S. Department of Energy's Connected Community Program awarded the Post Road Foundation $6.65 million to lay the groundwork for high-speed broad- band and efficient energy infrastructure across the state of Maine in partner- ship with the Efficiency Maine Trust. The funding will be used to create com- munity models of a broadband-integrat- ed smart grid that would lower energy costs and cut carbon emissions. The Economic Development Administration awarded the Maine Department of Transportation $1 mil- lion through the American Rescue Plan to assess the risks posed by climate change to the state's infrastructure and support long-term economic resiliency. The program will create a coastwide model of expected sea level rises and evaluate statewide infrastructure to develop climate-ready guidance for new and existing transportation projects. Bristol Seafood in Portland acquired an additional facility at 284 Commercial St. in Portland to support the pro- duction of its My Fish Dish, Seafood Singles and Grab & Go product ranges. Readiness Associates, a provider of full-service emergency preparedness and business continuity solutions in Portland, changed its name to ReadyGlobal. N O T E W O R T H Y S T A T E W I D E S T A T E W I D E N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N S O U T H E R N

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