NVME is accepting applications for the statewide Marketing Mini-Grant competition.
The NVME Marketing Mini-Grant Program supports the development of marketing tools, materials, and activities for small businesses. NVME will award cash mini-grants—up to $1,000 per region (defined below)—to microenterprises for new or expanded business marketing and promotion projects through a competitive application process. Eligibility information and the application are online. Applications are due by Friday, January 31, 2027.
Businesses apply to the region in which they are based (see below for details). Eligible applicants include small business owners, partners, or co-owners (nonprofit organizations and previous NVME mini-grant winners are not eligible to apply).
Application criteria include: 1) Five or fewer full-time equivalent employees; 2) sales in the past 12 months; and 3) gross annual sales of no more than $150,000 (previous calendar year).
“This marketing mini-grant will provide an important opportunity for us to build stronger visibility going into our first full operating season,” said Riversbend Paddle Company Owner-Operator Johanna Johnston, NVME mini-grant winner last year. “This support will help create marketing materials to present the business more professionally, reach new customers, and introduce more people to paddling opportunities.”
Regions and contacts for the 2026-27 contest are:
- Aroostook County: Alicia LaFosse, 207-621-7457, alicia.lafosse@maine.edu
- Kennebec & Somerset Counties: Vien Dobui, 207-621-3486, vien.dobui@maine.edu
- Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox & Waldo Counties: Alicia LaFosse, 207-621-7457, alicia.lafosse@maine.edu
- Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock & Washington Counties: Banjo Ogunlela, 207-262-7842, oyebanjo.ogunlela@maine.edu
- Cumberland & York Counties: Martha Leonard, 207-245-3663, martha.leonard@maine.edu
- Androscoggin, Oxford & Franklin Counties: Gina Platt, 207-753-6581, gina.platt@maine.edu
For more information, contact the region representative listed above .
NVME Marketing Mini-grants are sponsored in part by Katahdin Trust Company, Kennebec Savings Bank, and Norway Savings Bank.