The portal to accept applications for the Seafood Dealer and Processor Program closed at midnight on April 28, 2022. These award announcements have been made and the funds will be disbursed by the Department of Marine Resources.
SDPP presented a unique opportunity to help businesses in Maine’s wholesale seafood and processing sector recover and strengthen the industry’s pandemic resilience moving forward.
When Are Applications Due?
The application portal for SDPP funding CLOSED at midnight on April 28, 2022.
Who Should Apply?
Am I Eligible for SDPP Funding?
Your business may be considered for an SDPP grant award if:
- Your business is licensed by the Department of Marine Resources as a wholesale seafood dealer, lobster processor, seaweed buyer, worm dealer, elver dealer; or you are otherwise processing products harvested from marine waters in Maine for the wholesale trade.
- Your business was licensed by DMR and/or operational as of April 1, 2020.
- Your business sells into the wholesale trade.
- Your business has a permanent facility in Maine identified on your Department of Marine Resources (DMR) license.
- Your business was negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
- You can demonstrate a clear plan to utilize SDPP funds at your facility in Maine to directly address the negative economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic suffered by your Maine business.
- You are able and willing to comply with potential bi-annual reporting required by State and Federal law.
- Your business is registered with the Maine Secretary of State’s corporate registry.
- To receive any federal recovery funds, you must also register a Unique Entity Identification (UEID) number. For more information about UEID numbers, see our FAQs or click here.
How Much Funding Can I Request?
Applicants can request up to $500,000 in total for both reimbursable expenses and future investments, but most awards will be substantially less than $500,000. We expect a large number of applications, and the total funding requested is likely to exceed the funds available for SDPP. Not all applicants will receive funding for future investments. Wherever possible, applicants should provide detail about the cost for phases or portions of a future investment, so that partial funding could be aligned with what is needed to execute a meaningful phase of the project.
After the application deadline, applications will be evaluated against state and federal funding guidelines to assess eligibility. Award amounts will be based on the following:
- The total number of program applicants
- The assessed severity of negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic
- The quality of your proposed plan to address the negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic and create resiliency for your business in the future
- The impact your plan is likely to have on future jobs and revenue growth, and benefits to the community
PLEASE NOTE: Award size is subject to change based on the number of valid applications received and the strength of your application. The exact amount will be determined after all the applications have been received and evaluated.
What Can I Use SDPP Funds For?
Funds must be used to implement your plan and directly address negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Suggested expenses may include but are not limited to:
- Payroll costs and expenses
- Rent or mortgage payments for business facilities (unless otherwise waived by lessor/lender)
- Utilities payments
- Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the business
- Business-related equipment purchases
- Investments to strengthen your business’ ability to mitigate pandemic-related market disruptions
- Expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses and other necessary operating expenses
These funds must be applied to operations that are strictly within Maine. These grant funds are subject to audit and are generally considered to be reportable income, therefore should be included with reportable income at tax time.
How Do I Apply For SDPP Funding?
The application process is divided into two sections.
Some of your information will be provided in the Application Word Document shown in Step 1 below. We anticipate it will take 20-30 minutes to complete this section.
At the beginning of Step 2 you will create an account and upload your application into the MTI online system. You will also be asked to enter data directly into the MTI online system regarding your business, the negative impacts of the pandemic, and your planned use of funds. We anticipate it will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete this section.
Step 1-Complete your paperwork
Use the Application Word Document need link for the template for SDPP to compose your application. Download the Application Word Document, answer the questions, then save the file. If you cannot access the Application Word Document, here is a PDF version of the Application Word Document.
You will also need other supporting documentation, see checklist below.
Application Checklist
You will need the following items before you access MTI’s Recovery Funding online application system. All documents must be converted into electronic files.
- Completed Application Word Document
- Signed and dated W-9 Form (Access a blank W-9 Form HERE)
- Income Statement (or Profit and Loss Statement) for 2019, 2020, & 2021
- Current Balance Sheet
- Sole Proprietors may provide federal tax filings for 2019, 2020 & 2021 (if complete) instead of P&L and Balance Sheet
- The federal government requires companies doing business with the government or receiving grants to have a Unique Entity Identification (UEID) number. To learn more about a UEID number and how to obtain one at no cost, click here.
- Signed Agreement to receive ARPA funding and comply with all federal and state regulations.
- DMR landings number (this number will need to be entered directly into the online system)
Helpful Hint: Combining Photos or Scanned Documents into Electronic Files
Before you upload documents to MTI’s Recovery Funding online application system, you may first need to scan the paper copy of your required document. If you can only scan one page at a time you will need to combine those pages into one electronic file.
For example, if you do not have an electronic version of your 2019 tax return, but you have a paper version instead, you can scan the paper version to create an electronic file to be uploaded to the online system. To merge multiple pages and create one pdf document, click on this tool.
Step 2-Submit your application and supporting documents online
Once you have completed the checklist above, you are ready to submit your finalized application and supporting documents via MTI’s Recovery Funding online application system. The link can be found within the Application Word Document or by clicking the button below.
Remember, in addition to uploading your application and supporting documentation, you will also be required to enter basic information about your business.
Have you completed Step 1 and combined your electronic documents? Click the button below to create your account and begin the online application process.
What If I Need Help With My Application?
MTI offers a number of resources to assist you with the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to questions others have asked, click here to find our FAQs.
Zoom Meetings
To meet virtually with someone from the MTI team, click here to sign up for our helpful Zoom sessions.
Click here to watch a previously recorded Zoom session.
Sample Application
Click here to view and download a Word Document version of the Sample SDPP Application.
Connect with MTI
For further guidance please email us at [email protected].
What Happens After I Apply?
You should receive a confirmation email shortly after your application has been submitted.
If you receive an email notifying you that your application has been saved, it does not mean your application was submitted. Saving your application allows you to return to it later if you need to make changes. However, saving is not the same as submitting.
Please be sure to click the Submit Button after all the steps have been completed.
After the award announcements are made, you will be notified via email informing you whether or not you have qualified.
If you receive an SDPP award, MTI will verify that we have all the documentation needed to comply with state and federal guidelines. If we have any questions we will reach out via email for assistance. We anticipate payments will be made soon after the awards are announced.