Coworking in the State of Maine
Coworking spaces, privately-owned collaborative workspaces, have popped up around the country over the last 10 years, enabled by technology and the growth of remote work. Coworking spaces build community and connection for early-stage entrepreneurs, free-lancers, and remote workers. These spaces foster dreaming, sharing, iteration, and risk-taking through their energy, density of people, and community-building activities.
In addition, coworking spaces are at the nexus of multiple areas of economic strategy – they are among the amenities that can be offered to tourists, they serve as a hub of information and community for remote workers, they stimulate innovation, and they serve as a signal to entrepreneurs and new businesses that a community understands the value of connection.
Coworking Development Fund and Program
The Coworking Development Fund and accompanying program supports the success of these spaces by providing financial assistance and opportunities for collaboration and connection between and among Maine’s coworking spaces and other collaborative work spaces.
DECD’s Office of Business Development partners with collaborative workspace businesses who are serving key roles in their local communities. Funding is subject to legislative approval and has historically been included in the States biennial budget. Please email BizAwards.DECD@maine.gov if you would like to be notified when grant details are released.
For more information on the program, see the previous grant cycle program guidelines (PDF)
Coworking Development Fund FAQS (PDF)
Presentation from September 13th convening (PDF)
For more information contact BizAwards.DECD@maine.gov
MJRP Coworking Grant
The Maine Jobs & Recovery Coworking Grant Program aims to provide direct financial support to coworking spaces in the State of Maine that experienced impacts during the pandemic. It also builds on other Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan programs including remote worker supports and previous financial support to Maine’s libraries that also serve as much-needed remote work locations in many Maine communities.
These funds will help to stabilize operations, reconstruct layouts that were previously altered to meet social distancing requirements; cover increased costs and other impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic; provide outreach, digital infrastructure, and community to new remote workers, and invest in new infrastructure.
Follow this link to the application portal
More information about this grant can be found in the following documents:
MJRP Coworking Grant Guidelines
Link to Register for the MJRP Coworking Webinar – January 25, 1pm
MJRP Coworking Grant Application Questions