PORTLAND — Grants to help create jobs for low- and moderate-income individuals will soon be available from the city.

The Business Assistance Program has $140,000 available in federal Community Development Block Grant funds, and applicants can seek up to $20,000.

“BAP’s purpose is to create jobs for low/moderate income people by helping startups and existing businesses with grants that can be used for machinery and equipment, inventory and supplies, payment of salaries, rent, utilities and other working capital needs,” according to a city press release.

The grants will provide $10,000 for each job created for someone earning 80 percent or below of the area median income. They must be matched dollar-for-dollar, guarantee 1,750 hours annually, pay more than the city minimum wage of $10.90 per hours, and be created within nine months of signing the grant agreement.

More details on the program can be found at https://bit.ly/2uBdY1u, or by contacting Economic Development Business Programs Manager Nelle Hanig at 756-8019 or nrh@portlandmaine.gov.


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