UpdatedThu, Jan 14, 2021 at 8:29 pm ET
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IDI Founder/Artistic Director Douglas Webster (ClearEyePhoto)
Press release from IDI:
Jan. 14, 2021
At a time when most live entertainment has been canceled due to the pandemic, a nonprofit professional ice dancing company is providing free, safe, outdoor entertainment for the public this winter. Ice Dance International (IDI) has brought together a group of world class skaters who have arrived in Portsmouth to begin a month long program that will involve NH schools and outdoor pop-up performances at Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, located in the heart of Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
AUGUSTA The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday it has awarded $5.2 million in grants to 54 health care organizations that serve residents with MaineCare to help sustain vital health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
The Maine Health Care Financial Relief Program, announced in November, is modeled on the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development s (DECD) Maine Economic Recovery Grant program.
Health care organizations that were ineligible for funding through the DECD program, such as hospitals and nursing homes of any size and health care providers with over 250 employees, were eligible for these grants. The program is backed by federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds and provides up to $100,000 in financial relief to an organization to address business disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To qualify, health care organizations must have served MaineCare members in 2020.
Mills Administration Continues Early Business Closing Time Amid Increase in COVID-19 Positivity Rate and Hospitalizations
December 30, 2020
Amid an increase in Maine’s COVID-19 positivity rate and a continued high rate of hospitalizations, the Mills Administration today announced that it will extend the requirement for certain businesses statewide to close by 9:00 p.m. in order to limit activities that could contribute to the transmission of COVID-19.
The early closure limits extended indoor gatherings among members of the public, which are activities that present a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission, and does so during later hours when people are more likely to lower their guard, jeopardizing adherence to critical public health and safety measures. However, the early closure requirement also limits business disruption by allowing these businesses to maintain daytime operations and to continue curbside pick-up and delivery service after 9:00 p.m. The requirement, which was sch
Mills launches $40M grant program to support Maine tourism, hospitality, and small businesses
The grant program utilizes $30 million in funds remaining from the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program and $10 million in additional CRF monies dedicated by Mills
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Published: 1:18 PM CST November 30, 2020 Updated: 10:18 AM CST December 1, 2020
AUGUSTA, Maine Gov. Janet Mills on Monday announced a new recovery grant program focused specifically on supporting Maine’s service sector small businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, which are are now facing additional challenges during the winter months.
Dubbed the “Tourism, Hospitality & Recovery Grant Program,” which is backed by $40 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), Mills says the program will “support tens of thousands of jobs across the state.”
With hundreds of Maine restaurants forced out of business during the pandemic and many others hanging on by a thread, the leader of industry group HospitalityMaine says that more federal relief is urgently needed.
“We are pushing hard for the $908 billion coronavirus stimulus bill championed by U.S. Sens.[Susan] Collins and [Angus] King, who are both members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, HospitalityMaine President and CEO Steve Hewins told Mainebiz on Wednesday.
“This federal relief bill is needed before Congress recesses for the holidays, but we only consider this a down payment on a larger bill needed when they reconvene in 2021, he said.