MEP ServicesCloth Face Covers and PPESmall Business Resources

During this unprecedented time, Maine MEP is here to help. This page focuses on valuable local, state and national resources, to assist you with COVID-19 related concerns for your company and your employees.

Maine MEP Advisors are available for free remote crisis response consultations. 
We can be reached by phone: 207-623-0680 (or 800-MEP-4MFG) and email: contact@mainemep.org.

News and Updates

We are here to support Maine manufacturers

Support and Problem Solving

Remote consultations and facilitation to rapidly apply problem-solving methods to operational, workforce, supply chain, cash flow, business continuity and other issues as well as support in planning future recovery and resiliency responses.

Supply Chain

Assistance to find solutions to current and anticipated disruptions in supplies of raw materials, parts, and other necessities. Maine MEP can quickly tap into the MEP National Network with 1200+ network advisors across all 50 states and Puerto Rico plus other federal and Maine resources.

Re-deployment of Resources and/or Re-Tooling

Assistance responding to critical needs for healthcare supplies and equipment. Assistance could take many forms including identifying opportunities, assessing feasibility and gaps, line layout, distribution channels, connections with other manufacturers and technical resources, and methods for rapidly retraining employees.  

Workforce

We are helping manufacturers match furloughed workers with manufacturers looking to increase staffing. Contact us to learn more.  

Steps That You Can Take Now 

• Review the Manufacturing Workplace Readiness Guidance (below)
• Reeducate employees on preventing virus spread
• Review and revise cleaning schedules for common areas
• Work with local health professionals
• Communicate promptly
• Develop a Business Continuity Plan – Here is a useful guide: Business Continuity Plan
• Disaster Recovery Plans: Many Maine MEP clients have disaster recovery plans associated with their ISO certification. Please make sure to revisit and update these plans as necessary.
• Determine supply chain disruption risks. Check out this supply chain disruption checklist created by our partners in Illinois.
• IT System preparedness and plans for remote working may be necessary
• Review your insurance coverage to understand scenarios where you are covered and potential holes.
• Review local and national financial resources.

Workplace Readiness Guidance

This guidance document has been developed to assist manufacturers as you maintain, resume all, or restart operations. We are also available to work with you one-on-one to assist with your COVID-19 plan.

Cloth Face Covers
and other Personal Protective Equipment

Maine manufacturers are developing solutions to address the needs created by COVID-19. We have collected a list of some of these manufacturers below. The list is certainly not complete. Please contact us if you would like to be included.

Cloth Face Covers Sold by Maine Manufacturers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing face coverings in public settings. Click on the image below to visit the NIST blog where you can watch a video of the effect a face cover has on airflow out of our mouths and nose.

Retail Sales of Cloth Face Covers

We have compiled a list of Maine companies making cloth face covers. Click the links below to order directly.

21c Studio – Roaddude (Portland) Shipped statewide/nationwide. Available curbside in Portland. See website for details and quantity discounts
320ink (Westbrook)
Allen Manufacturing  (Lewiston)
American Roots (Westbrook) No online sales.  To order contact: info@americanrootswear.com or call 207-854-4098
Angela (Maine) email or call:  amangela05@gmail.com  207-590-6832
Anne Riggs Designs (Portland)
Bates Mill Store / Maine Heritage Weavers (Monmouth) Heathcare and EMS can request donated CFCs
Bowtie.com (Kennebunk)
By Goldenstar (Freeport): No online sales.  To order please contact Hannah Renyi: hannahrenyi@bygoldenstar.com capacity- 50/100 per week
CFC Wear (Westbrook)
Cellblock Fire Containment Systems (Standish) If you prefer curbside pickup – call to arrange.
Country Greenery Florist & Formal Wear (Madison) Order in person or on Facebook
Crow Cove Designs (Islesboro)
Dr. Pussums Cat Nip Company (Turner) Please visit the website for curbside pickup and directions.  Available for next day pickup.
Firefly Boutique (Bridgton) Adult and children’s Cloth Face Coverings.  Can be purchased directly at 103 Main Street Bridgton Maine.  For more information call 207-595-1962 or email at sassyandblue@myfairpoint.net or check out our Facebook page
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (Biddeford)
Jill McGowen (Portland) Designed for Business professionals, durable/washable, two sizes: small and medium with pocket for filter material.
L.L.Bean (Freeport) Single ply $86/bag of 50ea, Triple ply $105/bag of 50ea
Lola Arts  (Portland)
Lucid Candle /CM Almy (Pittsfield)
Maine-Lee Technology Group, LLC (Wells)
Maine Thread Company (Lewiston) If you prefer curbside pickup – call to arrange.
MIllie’s Maine Masks (Lisbon)
Milo in Maine (Portland)
Nautilus PPE (Maine)
New Balance (Norridgewock)
OceannaShop (Maine)
Origins USA (Farmington)
Pine Tree Orthopedic Lab (Livermore Falls) See specs here. To order contact (207) 897-5558.
Rogue Industries (Standish)
Rogue Wear (Lewiston)
Rough and Tumble (Brunswick)
Saint Crispin Leatherworks, Inc. (Turner) To order (207) 224-0067 or message through facebook. Curbside pickup available.
Saya Studio (Portland)
Sea Bags (Portland)
Think Greene (Limerick)
WS Emerson (Brewer) Multiple face cover options for personal and business use.

Wholesale Sales of Cloth Face Covers

320ink (Westbrook) Large orders, customized masks & wholesale info: seth@320ink.com
American Roots (Westbrook ME, Cumberland County
CM Almy (Pittsfield)
dac3D: (Biddeford ME, York County) David Capotosto: 207 468 8545 or davidcap@dac3D.com
Hallett Canvas and Sails: (Falmouth ME, Cumberland County) mhallett@hallettcanvasandsails.com or 207-781-7070
Highland Belts and Fine Leather: (Brewer ME, Penobscot County)  asutton@highlandbelts.net or kbutler@highlandbelts.net
The Strainrite Companies: (Auburn ME, Androscoggin County) Cathy Proctor, 207-376-1693 for orders of 1,000 or more per order/ will provide specs and cost upon contacting
WS Emerson (Bewer ME)

Ear Protectors

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: James Rutter: fablab@haystack-mtn.org
MB Machine, LLC (Sanford) Please order by email bfavre2120@gmail.com or Facebook
WS Emerson (Brewer) Please order online or call

Organizations Accepting Donations of Face Coverings

Maine Medical Center
Maine Healthcare Association, please contact Danielle Watford: dwatford@mehca.org

Maine-Made Hand Sanitizer for Consumer Use

Hardshore Distilling (Portland): 70% alcohol formulation – learn more/order for curbside pickup

Sebago Lake Distillery (Gardiner): Information about hand sanitizer available on their Facebook page

Split Rock Distilling (Newcastle): 80% alcohol formulation available for pickup or shipping

Maine Craft Distilling

Mossy Ledge Spirits (Etna): Information about hand sanitizer available on their website and Facebook page

Nautilus PPE: Dave Tomer, 617-750-7462

Wicked Strong Hand Sanitizer by Maine Standard Biofuels Maine made to FDA guidelines with 75% Isopropyl Alcohol. Reg. NDC:74800-6969.  4x 1 gal case standard pack.  55 gal drums available at discounted pricing. Call Rodger Strickland @ 207-808-9031.  

Resources for Manufacturing Face Coverings and Isolation Gowns

Other Medical Equipment

For Isolation Gowns please contact CM Almy.

For face shields and intubation aids, visit the University of Maine innovation page. (Currently, there are no producers of certified protective face masks for hospital use in the State of Maine).

Maine distributor of medical equipment (apiary medical) has 3ply medical masks, face shields and KN95s and antiseptic rub available for purchase here.

Maine Small Business Resources

Maine Resources

• Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
• Governor Mills’ guidance for Maine Businesses
• Maine Small Business Development Center
• Maine Center for Disease Control
• Maine Department of Labor’s Guidance on Coronavirus Response and Updates

Federal Resources

• Small Business Administration Coronavirus Relief Programs
• Small Business Administration’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• U.S. CDC’ s Resources for Businesses and Employers
• U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF)

Workplace Safety Resources

• US Dept. of Labor Guidance on Workplace Safety related to COVID-19
• CDC Guidance for Employers related to COVID-19
• OSHA Standards related to COVID-19
• MEMIC resources for COVID-19

Governor Mills Emergency Legislation

Governor Mills passed emergency legislation on March 17th to help Maine businesses and individuals affected by COVID-19. Read the Governor’s update here.

Unemployment Insurance 

Eligibility for unemployment insurance has been extended to individuals whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19. It also temporarily waives the one week waiting period for benefits so that workers may obtain benefits faster and ensures that claims for UI will not affect an employer’s experience rating.

• More information can be found here.
• Claims can be filed online or by phone 1-800-593-7660

Small Business Administration Loans 

Maine businesses are now eligible to apply for economic support loans to help them overcome any temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. More information can be found here.

Here is what businesses need to do to apply for a disaster loan.

• Create SBA Disaster Loan Application Account.
• IRS Form 4506-T 
• Personal financial statement.
• A schedule of liabilities.
• A copy of your most recently filed federal income tax return.
• Ways to File for Disaster Loan

Consumer/Sole Proprietor Loan Guarantee Program

Will assist Maine individuals with no-to low-interest consumer loans through a loan guaranty program involving FAME and Maine’s banks and credit unions. 

Maine MEP will be contacting manufacturers over the next few weeks to understand how COVID-19 has impacted your business and to offer assistance.  

For help responding to the COVID-19 emergency or for general questions, please call us at 207-623-0680 or contact us online today.