Mainebiz

V O L . X X I I I N O. X V I 42 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S The maximum debenture, or long- term loan, is: $5 million for businesses that cre- ate a certain number of jobs or improve the local economy; $5 million for businesses that meet a specific public policy goal, including loans for aiding rural development and expansion of small businesses owned by veter- ans, women, and minorities; $5.5 million for manufacturers and energy-related public policy projects. e program also allows $5.5 million for each project that reduces the borrow- er's energy consumption by at least 10%, and $5.5 million for each project that generates renewable energy fuel. Projects eligible for up to $5.5 million under one of these two requirements do not have to meet the job creation or retention requirement, so long as the CDC portfolio reflects a jobs-to-debenture portfolio ratio of at least 1 per $65,000. For more details, contact: U.S. Small Business Administration Maine District Office 68 Sewall St., E. S. Muskie Federal Bldg., Room 512 Augusta, ME 04330 207-622-8551 • 207-622-8277 Fax www.sba.gov/me Eastern Maine Development Corporation 40 Harlow St. Bangor, ME 04401-5102 207-942-6389 or 800-339-6389 Maine only 207-942-3548 Fax www.emdc.org CEI 36 Water St./P.0. Box 268 Wiscasset, ME 04578-0268 207-882-7552 • 207-882-7308 Fax www.ceimaine.org Granite State Development Corp. Jim Maxwell 183 Newhall Road Wells, ME 04090 207-646-5988 • 207-641-0981 Fax www.granitestatedev.com Pine Tree State Certified Development Corporation Field Rider 120 Exchange St., Suite 205 Portland, ME 04101 207-773-3104 frider@megalink.net www.pinetreestatecdc.com Microloan program Contact an SBA district office for information lenders or go to www.sba.gov/microloans. e program provides loans up to $50,000 to women, low-income, minority and veteran business own- ers by making money available to nonprofit intermediaries that make the loans directly to start-up and existing businesses. e proceeds can be used for working capital, or to buy furniture, fixtures, supplies, materials or equipment. Microloans may not be used to buy real estate. Interest rates are negotiated between the borrower and the intermedi- ary. e maximum term is six years. Because money is borrowed from the intermediary, SBA is not involved in the application or approval process. Payments are made directly from the business to the intermediary. Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments 125 Manley Road Auburn, ME 04210 207-783-9186 • 207-783-5211 Fax www.avcog.org Community Concepts Inc. 17-19 Market Sq./P.O. Box 278 South Paris, ME 04281 207-743-7716 or 800-866-5588 207-743-6513 Fax www.community-concepts.org CEI 36 Water St./P.O. Box 268 Wiscasset, ME 04578-0268 207-882-7552 cei@ceimaine.org www.ceimaine.org MaineStream Finance 262 Harlow St./P.O. Box 1162 Bangor, ME 04402-1162 207-973-3500 or 800-215-4942 207-973-3699 Fax www.mainestreamfinance.org Northern Maine Development Commission 11 W. Presque Isle Rd./P.O. Box 779 Caribou, ME 04736 207-498-8736 or 800-427-8736 207-493-5784 Fax www.nmdc.org SBA contracting programs T he SBA works with agencies to award at least 23% of all prime government contracts to small businesses, including those in distressed areas or owned by women or members of socially or economically disadvantaged groups. e agency ensures that businesses have access to long-lasting development opportunities, which means working with them to help them stay competi- tive, as well as encouraging federal agencies to award more contracts to small businesses. e SBA provides outreach, matchmaking and online training, and helps agencies identify contract opportunities. HUBZone For additional information, visit www.sba.gov/hubzone e Historically Underutilized Business Zones program (HUBZone) helps small businesses in distressed urban and rural communities access federal contracts, as well as price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions. ere is a statutory goal that such businesses be awarded not less than 3% of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards. e program also establishes federal contract award preference to small businesses. To qualify for the program, a busi- ness (except those that are tribally owned) must: be small by SBA standards; be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe; have its principal office in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone, which includes Indian Country and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act; have at least 35% of employees residing in a HUBZone. Different rules apply for tribal governments, Alaska native corpo- rations, Community Development Corporations and agricultural coop- eratives, delineated in Title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 126. Businesses that move to qualified areas are eligible to apply for certifi- cation provided they meet eligibility requirements. The SBA is responsible for: determining whether a business is in a HUBZone maintaining a list of qualified HUBZone businesses for use by acquisition agencies in awarding contracts adjudicating eligibility protests and appeals. Women-owned Small Business Federal Contract Program For additional information, visit www.sba.gov/wosb e program authorizes a certain amount of contracts be set aside for women-owned small businesses and economically disadvantaged women- owned small businesses in industries where it has been determined such businesses are under-represented. A firm must be at least 51% owned or controlled by one or more women, the women must be U.S. citizens and the business must be small in accor- dance with SBA's size under North American Industry Classification code standards for that industry. Its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements of the final rule to be deemed economically disadvantaged. Service-disabled veteran-owned small business To determine eligibility, contact a veterans' business development officer, visit program websites, or contact SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development at www.sba. gov/about-offices-content/1/2985 e program has a goal of award- ing at least 3% of federal prime and subcontracting dollars a year. Large prime contractors must also establish a subcontracting goal for such busi- nesses; their plans are reviewed by both the contracting officer and the SBA before the contract is awarded. While the SBA does not certify such companies, it administers the

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