Loan Programs

Loans and grants that help businesses alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Greater Portland Council of Government Loan Programs are designed to provide financial assistance to businesses. GPCOG has four primary loan offerings to help alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis for businesses in Cumberland County.

Watch our webinar as we explain how the GPCOG forgivable loan programs.

Watch the webinar

Microenterprise Program

Assistance for Owners

Who is this for? This program is targeted to assist small business owners maintain operations.

$5000 per business, no fees, forgivable, conditions apply 

Do you qualify?

  • 0 to 5 employees (including the owner/s)
  • Business must be located within Cumberland County (excluding Portland, Bridgton and Brunswick.) Additional funds are available for South Portland businesses.
  • Business owners must qualify as earning 80% of the area's median income based on their town of residence.

Learn more

Job Program

Assistance for job creation/retention

Who is this for? This program is targeted to help businesses maintain employees who are most at risk for losing their jobs.

Up to $10,000 per business, no fees, forgivable, conditions apply

Do you qualify?

The Job Creation/ Retention Program provides funding for small businesses that have between two (2) to twenty-five (25) employees and will be creating new jobs or retaining existing positions.

The program is available to for-profit businesses located within Cumberland County (excluding Portland, Bridgton and Brunswick.) Additional funds are available for South Portland businesses. 

Learn more

Rapid-Response Microloan Program

Small business loans

Who is this for? Small to medium-sized businesses with fewer than 50 employees or sales of less than $5 million are eligible.

Up to $10,000 per business of which up to $2,500 is forgivable, fees and conditions apply

Do you qualify?

  • 1+ employees (not including the owner)
  • Businesses located in the Greater Portland region preferred
  • South Portland Businesses: Additional funding available for South Portland-based businesses, some conditions apply. Learn more about the South Portland Loan Program.
  • Yarmouth Businesses: Additional funding available for Yarmouth based businesses, conditions vary:  up to $5,000 per business, of which up to $3750 can be forgivable. Learn more about the Yarmouth Loan Program.

Learn more about the Rapid-Response Microloan Program

Regional Revolving Loan Program

For small and medium-sized businesses

Who is this for? Small to medium-sized businesses with fewer than 50 employees or sales of less than $5 million are eligible to apply. The program prioritizes three industry cluster areas: food, energy, and freight.

Up to $250,000 per business, fees, restrictions, and conditions apply.

Do you qualify?

  • 1+ employees (not including the owner)
  • Businesses located in the Greater Portland region preferred

Learn more

City of Portland Loan & Grant Programs

The City of Portland is launching Round 3 of its COVID-19 Grants and Loans fo Portland businesses.


Learn more