The Maine Small Business Development Centers (Maine SBDC), a statewide program that helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, announces the annual results for 2020.
In 2020, business advisors across Maine provided virtual, no-cost business advising to 2,956 entrepreneurs and small businesses, nearly double the number of businesses assisted in the previous year. This support helped them to:
- Access $38.3 million in capital to sustain, start or grow their businesses
- Start 93 new businesses
- Save and create 514 jobs
During an especially difficult year, Maine SBDC stepped up to support a record number of entrepreneurs and small business owners, including serving more women than ever before.
Maine SBDC business advisors helped 507 small businesses access a total of $17.9 million in pandemic relief loans and grants to help sustain their businesses. In addition to advising services, Maine SBDC hosted 63 webinars and events which reached over 2,200 attendees.
Access the 2020 Digital Annual Report:
www.mainesbdc.org/annual-report/2020/
“Our team is dedicated to supporting Maine’s courageous business owners as they continue to respond and recover from a very difficult year. We want entrepreneurs and business owners to know they are not alone. We are here and we can help them navigate the next steps for their businesses,” commented Maine SBDC State Director Mark Delisle.