HI All, You may have heard that MSL is offering two grants this spring to public libraries that want to support remote workers and home-based entrepreneurs. The large project grants of $25,000- $100,000 will be for construction, ADA accessibility, and space renovations to provide co-working, meeting, and DIY spaces home-based workers may need. The small project grants of $5000- $24,999 will support minor renovations, creating comfortable co-working and flexible spaces, as well as virtual spaces, digital resources and services, and programming for home-based workers.
Remote or home-based workers include teleworkers and hybrid employees as well people who operate online businesses from home. These are 3-year awards with the grant funds needing to be spent by September 2026.
For orgs that want to request a large project grant, they will need to submit an LOI (letter of intent) via the grant system https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=MSL (MSL used for the ARPA grants a couple years ago) by March 31 at 5 PM. If your organization needs help logging in to your grant system account, please contact me. If your LOI project proposal is approved, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to apply for the large project grant. Large project grant applications will be due by May 31 at 5 PM.
For orgs wanting to apply for a small project grant, no LOI submission is required. You will see an application for this grant in your grant system account on April 17. These applications are also due May 31 by 5 PM.
If an org submits an LOI for a large project grant but their proposal is denied, they may still apply for a small project grant. An organization may apply for only one grant and because the funds come from federal ARPA funds, an org may not use other ARPA funds they have received for the same project.
All orgs wanting to apply for either grant must have a SAM.gov<https://sam.gov/content/home> UEI number. This is replacing the DUNS number orgs need to receive federal funds. If you need help obtaining your new UEI, please contact Lisa Shaw at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> .
For more details on the Remote Work through Libraries Grants, you may watch a recording of an informational session MSL hosted at https://mainestate.zoom.us/rec/share/h9YvR7Fb7ROXbsJxMC7GevQZJckwU_47jhyphmCsH5byT34xepaeFs8qpjTSwd2p.gFEJ2Yp8jWAy8KuT Passcode: zMX2e&Pz
You may also link to helpful resources, FAQs, and samples of the LOI and application forms at the grant webpage at https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/admin/funding/ARPA.shtml .
Feel free to contact Lisa and I with your grant questions or to brainstorm ideas. We will be holding periodic Zoom drop-in sessions to answer questions as well. Lisa will post those dates and times soon.
I hope many of you will take advantage of this opportunity to support remote workers in your communities, especially those from underserved and marginalized groups like veterans, new Mainers, people with disabilities, and low income families. This a wonderful chance to help rural and vulnerable residents to transform their lives as well attract new workers to our state. Regards, Deb
Deborah A. Clark, MLIS
Library Management Specialist
Maine State Library
(207)233-2193
E-mail: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
"Great Libraries Build Strong Communities"
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