FocusMaine is seeking applications for Propel Aquaculture Mini Grants to strengthen the aquaculture value chain in the State of Maine. The Fund is supported by a grant from the Department of Marine Resources.
Donor Name: FocusMaine
State: Maine
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/01/2023
Size of the Grant: $10,000
Grant Duration: 3 months
Details:
Program Objectives
The Propel Aquaculture Mini Grant Fund (the Fund) was established by FocusMaine to strengthen the aquaculture value chain in the State of Maine. The Fund is supported by a grant from the Department of Marine Resources.
The goals of the Fund are to:
- Increase the number of Maine aquaculture businesses that have the potential to grow, expand their markets, and create sustainable jobs.
- Help Maine aquaculture businesses increase production capacity and capability to grow volume/sales in existing and new markets.
Funding Information
- FocusMaine anticipates making multiple awards as a result of the RFA process. For this round of Propel Aquaculture Mini Grant applications, up to $90,000 has been allocated.
- Individual aquaculture companies, as defined below, are eligible for a minimum award of $5,000 and a maximum award of $10,000.
Uses of Fund
- Propel Aquaculture Fund Mini Grants may be used for a variety of purposes that help aquaculture businesses increase revenues and lead to job growth through production/processing capacity or capability improvements. Funds should support aquaculture business growth.
- Examples of acceptable uses of funds include purchasing materials to enable expansion, equipment, infrastructure upgrades, consulting to support operations improvements, or food safety certification.
- FocusMaine is open to and encourages innovative projects that show a new solution to an old problem, create a new product, use a unique production method, or commercialize a researched product or process. FocusMaine defines innovation broadly and supports innovation in the form of any new ideas or practices, and encourages applicants to think about how their projects may fit into the innovation category.
- Projects should be “shovel ready” and be deployable within 3 months of award (April to the end of June). Funds will need to be expended within this 3-month time range. Should additional funding be required for the proposed project, the applicant should have additional funds already secured or a viable approach to securing the necessary funding within the grant period.
Eligible Criteria
Eligible applicants are:
- Maine aquaculture companies defined as producers that breed, grow, and harvest fish, shellfish, or aquatic plants or
- Companies that produce value-added aquaculture products
Eligible applicants must:
- Operate within the geographical boundary of the State of Maine
- Source greater than 51% of aquaculture raw materials from Maine aquaculture growers if a value-added producer
- Have a minimum 2021 or 2022 revenue of $75,000.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects are for purchasing materials to enable expansion, equipment, infrastructure upgrades, consulting to support operations improvements, or food safety certification. Ideally, projects should contribute to the creation of jobs and/or increase sales in the long term. Grant funds are for future purchases and cannot be used as reimbursement for prior purchases. FocusMaine highly encourages project applications that demonstrate innovation.
For more information, visit FocusMaine.
