Code of Maine Rules › 19 - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT › 100 - ECONOMIC / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT › Chapter 450 - RULES FOR THE MAINE TECHNOLOGY CENTERS › Section 100-450-5 - Center Management Assistance Grants

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Entities eligible under Section
				  3 and providing or planning to provide
				  services as described in Section
				  4 may apply for an annual Center
				  Management Assistance Grant, dependent on continued funding by the Legislature.
				  Successful applicants for management grants that plan to provide all of the
				  services listed in Section
				  4 will be funded first; applicants
				  that wish to provide only partial services will be considered for funding with
				  any remaining funds. The size of the Management Assistance Grants will be
				  commensurate with the level of services being provided with the maximum amount
				  allowed for any Center per year being $150,000. All funds must be matched at
				  least 1:1 with other funds or in-kind match which may be federal, state, local
				  government or private.
Center Management Assistance Grants are to assist with
				  management and personnel expenses related to the management of the Center.
				  Grants may be used to assist with management expenses of operating a center,
				  including personnel compensation, travel, and professional development.
				  Overhead expenses related to insurance, security, utilities, building
				  maintenance or upkeep, replacement/purchase of office equipment or supplies are
				  not eligible uses for Center Management Assistance Grants.
Applications must include a description of how the Center
				  intends to provide the services proposed, a detailed budget for the Center
				  outlining all operational and capital expenses related to the provision of
				  services proposed, including which expenses will be paid for by the Management
				  Grant, identifying other sources and uses of funds, and a detailed report on
				  the past operations and results of the Center.
The Director will review each Center's annual request for
				  Center Management Assistance Grants and make recommendations for funding to the
				  Commissioner. The Commissioner will make the final funding decisions.
Criteria will include:
· The proposed services and plans for providing
				  them;
· The qualifications of the personnel who will be
				  providing the services;
· The linkages of the proposed Center to other
				  entities in the science and technology and entrepreneurial community in Maine
				  and in the US, including the appropriateness of the Center's relationship with
				  an academic institution;
· The relevance of the proposal to the Innovation
				  Economy as described in the Science and Technology Action Plan;
· Past results including number of clients, results
				  of the assistance provided to those clients as measured by job creation,
				  revenue growth, outside investment and the awarding of patents or otherwise
				  securing intellectual property; and
· The credibility and sustainability of the non-DECD
				  funding.
· Plans for institutionalizing the work of the
				  Center. How does the program intend to become an important part of the local
				  entrepreneurial support system over the long term"