SACO — On Feb. 16, Saco’s Economic Development Department hosted the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry’s Business After Hours at Saco City Hall.

The event was organized by the Economic Development Director, Tracey Desjardins, with a dual goal of spotlighting a few of Saco’s small businesses while encouraging the public to view City Hall and the Economic Development Department as a welcoming and available resource. The business event which Desjardins referred to as a “Sample of Saco” included samplings from local restaurants. About 50 guests were in attendance including city officials and many department heads.

 For some of the businesses gathered, the event was their first opportunity to engage with Saco’s new Economic Development Director who joined the city of October of 2022. Desjardins, who also currently serves as Board President for the Economic Development Council of Maine, hopes those who were in attendance left with the feeling that she and her department want to work with businesses to help promote & retain.

 “We’re not just working to attract new businesses, but to also help our existing businesses succeed,” she said.

One of the tools the city makes available via the economic development office is a Small Business Grant which can be a financial resource for an existing owner interested in a little extra support to grow or maintain their business.

“The Small Business Grant is open to any Saco business with less than 50 employees to apply for, not just for those in the downtown, and can be accessed for a range of uses from fixtures, furniture and equipment, to building updates, energy efficiency investments or signage,” said Desjardins.

The primary guidelines stated in the Small Business Grant information posted to the city’s website are as follows: “Grants are available for up to $15,000 and require at least a 75:25 match. Therefore, any project over $60,000 would be eligible for the full $15,000. The applicant will be reimbursed for the amount of the grant award or 25% of the total project, whichever is less, upon completion. No improvements begun prior to award notification will be eligible for reimbursement. All projects must be completed within one (1) year of grant approval. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all permits, land use approval, including Historic Preservation Commission and Site Plan approval when appropriate.”

Grants are available on an ongoing or “rolling” basis, pending availability of funds. Business owners must be current on all local, state, and federal taxes to qualify. In addition to not being passed due on taxes, the applicant cannot owe the municipality money for fines, impact fees, or other obligations.

Grant applications are reviewed by a Grant Selection Committee which will make an evaluation based on the economic impact, the sustainability and permanence of the investment, and the overall community contribution of the project. The grant funds will be distributed upon evidence of final completion of the project and submission of required documentation. There is a pro-rated return of funding if the business closes within years one through three following the project, with a decreasing percentage of reimbursement each year.

Jessa Burna, Economic Specialist with the city’s Economic Development office wants local businesses to give the grant serious consideration.

“With the small business grant, I’d like to emphasize that the funds are available for a very wide range of uses, so if you have a small business in Saco, there is most likely something eligible, so it is definitely worth looking into,” she said.

In addition to assisting with access to city level financial resources, and serving as liaison for business loan opportunities through a partnership with the Southern Maine Finance Authority, the development office is available to lend their experience and guidance navigating the local business climate. Desjardins offers out an invitation to call or make an appointment to meet with either she or Burna at any stage in business planning or development.

 “We may not have all the answers, but we would love to see how we can help. Let’s have a conversation,” she said.

 The Economic Development Department can be reached by phone at 207-282-3487 and is temporarily located in the Saco School Department building located at 90 Beach St.

Jennifer Day can be reached at jennervingday@gmail.com.