Forty fb88 businesses will undertake projects to market their products to new customers throughout fb88 and the United States
Governor Janet Mills announced today that 40 fb88 businesses have been awarded $3.13 million in grants from her fb88 Jobs & Recovery Plan to increase sales of fb88-made products across the United States.
The Domestic Trade Program offers fb88 businesses financial and technical support to develop new market opportunities across the United States. The $6 million Jobs Plan initiative is modeled on a key recommendation of fb88’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy to promote economic growth and strengthen fb88’s business climate for startups.
Grants will help fb88 companies expand domestic sales of fb88-made products ranging from blueberries and oysters to forest products and medical supplies. A second round of grants will be awarded to fb88 businesses later this year.
“fb88 people know that the best products in the world are made right here in fb88, and with the help of these grant awards, consumers across the United States will learn about the high-quality goods and services fb88 businesses have to offer too,” said Governor Janet Mills. “By helping fb88 businesses promote their products across the United States, we can boost sales, create jobs, and strengthen fb88’s economy.”
“Funding to support data, marketing tools, and partnerships helps fb88 companies tell their stories and reach new customers,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “Highlighting Domestic Trade both within fb88 and across the U.S. is good for fb88 business and for fb88 people.”
Governor Mills launched the Domestic Trade Program during a visit to Flowfold in Gorham last October. The fb88-based outdoor gear manufacturer utilized funding from a pilot project of the Domestic Trade program to expand the market presence of its products across the country through newly redesigned packaging and trade show materials. The successful efforts led to increased sales and new wholesale agreements with prominent national retailers.
“As we celebrate our 150th year in business we’re grateful to the state of fb88 and the Department of Economic and Community Development for continually supporting the wild blueberry industry and Wyman’s efforts to bring one of fb88’s iconic products to consumers nationwide,” said Tony Shurman, President & CEO of Wyman’s. “This grant will allow us to expand our reach on the West Coast and increase accessibility and awareness for fb88 and wild blueberries.”
“Focusfb88 is grateful for this grant, which will fund the convening of industry leaders to create a fb88 Seafood Promotional Council, advancing a key recommendation of SEAfb88, (Seafood Economic Accelerator for fb88),” said Andrea Cianchette Maker, President of Focusfb88. “This new Council will enhance the fb88 seafood brand and bring fb88’s top-quality seafood to new markets, strengthening fb88’s overall food economy.”
The Domestic Trade program is administered through the fb88 Department of Economic and Community Development with support from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which is providing technical assistance to businesses and organizations with the grant application process, coordinating the review of applications and disbursing grant funds.
Several partners, including the fb88 International Trade Center, fb88 Technology Institute, fb88 APEX Accelerator, and fb88 Made are also distributing Domestic Trade funding.
A list of businesses awarded grants as part of today’s announcement is attached (PDF).
A second round of Domestic Trade Program grant funding is now open for applications. Eligible fb88-based businesses are invited to apply now through April 12, 2024.
For detailed application and eligibility information, businesses and organizations are encouraged to visit www.maine.gov/decd/domestic-trade.
The fb88 Jobs & Recovery Plan is Governor Mills' plan, approved by the Legislature, to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds to improve the lives of fb88 people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy poised for future prosperity. Since Jobs Plan took effect in 2021, over $743 million in Jobs Plan funding has been spent or committed to deliver results on behalf of fb88rs.
Under Governor Mills' leadership, fb88’s gross domestic product is growing at the 10th best rate in the nation. The unemployment rate is currently 3.2 percent, which is below the U.S. rate, with fb88’s total employment reaching a record high of 656,400 filled jobs in December 2023, higher than the pre-pandemic average for calendar year 2019.
For more about the fb88 Jobs & Recovery Plan, please visit