More than 100 Maine Small Businesses—and Counting—Express Strong Support for Senator Collins’ Sweeping $300 Billion Economic Relief Plan

Click HERE to read the letter

Washington, D.C.—A group of 115 Maine small businesses in the hospitality industry wrote to Senator Collins to convey their strong support for legislation she authored with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) that would help prevent Americans from losing their jobs and keep small businesses from going under as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

Their legislation is a $300 billion emergency economic relief plan that would provide federally guaranteed emergency loans to businesses that are experiencing a sharp drop in revenue due to COVID-19. These loans would be forgiven so long as employers keep their workers employed and paid.

“We appreciate your understanding that our businesses should not be forced to permanently close because of an unforeseen, world-wide pandemic we have played no role in causing,” the group of Maine business owners wrote.  “You are also right to focus on protecting the jobs of our workers – we cannot run our businesses without them.  Finally, we deeply appreciate your understanding that our businesses cannot take on substantial, permanent debt when revenues are plunging. Your proposal to forgive cash-flow assistance we use to stay in business, preserve jobs, and pay our employees would allow us to reopen, fully-staffed and ready to serve the public the moment this crisis passes.”

“We appreciate Senator Collins’ understanding of both the needs of small business and their employees in this innovative approach to recovery,” said Steve Hewins president of HospitalityMaine.  “She accepted our input and clearly heard the pleas from hundreds of our members who signed on to our letter of support.”

Click HERE to read the letter

The letter was signed by the following Maine businesses:

1. 1.                              HospitalityMaine – Augusta
2. 2.                              Smitty’s Cinemas – Topsham, Windham, Biddeford , Sanford
3. 3.                              Headlight Audi Visual – Portland
4. 4.                              Testa’s – Bar Harbor
5. 5.                              Sebasco Harbor Resort – Sebasco Estates
6. 6.                              Moody’s Diner – Waldoboro
7. 7.                              Meadowmere Resort – Ogunquit
8. 8.                              Duffy’s Tavern & Grill- Kennebunk
9. 9.                              Seacoast Coffee –  Portland
10. 10.                          Nikanos –  Ogunquit
11. 11.                          Montsweag- Woolwich
12. 12.                          Cyndi’s Dockside Restaurant and Poland Spring Resort – Poland
13. 13.                          Solo Italiano –  Portland
14. 14.                          Hot Suppa – Portland
15. 15.                          David’s Restaurants – Portland and South Portland
16. 16.                          Stones Café – North Yarmouth
17. 17.                          Bradley Inn – New Harbor
18. 18.                          The Chadwick Bed and Breakfast –  Portland
19. 19.                          Harraseeket Inn- Freeport
20. 20.                          Towne Motel –  Camden
21. 21.                          Great Lost Bear –  Portland
22. 22.                          Newcastle Inn –  Newcastle
23. 23.                          Atlantic Oceanfront Motel – Bar Harbor
24. 24.                          Satori – Belfast
25. 25.                          Mainely Buoys – Bangor
26. 26.                          The Bull n’ Pinch – Bar Harbor
27. 27.                          Spillover Motel –  Eustis
28. 28.                          Maine Stitching – Skowhegan
29. 29.                          Portland Schooner Company – Portland
30. 30.                          Pine Grove Cottages –  Lincolnville
31. 31.                          Clay Hill Farm – Cape Neddick                    
32. 32.                          Travelers Inn – Brunswick
33. 33.                          Amore Breakfast – Ogunquit
34. 34.                          Beachfire Bar and Grille – Ogunquit
35. 35.                          Cod Cove Inn – Edgecomb
36. 36.                          Cedar Crest Inn – Camden
37. 37.                          Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce – Bar Harbor
38. 38.                          Puffin Inn – Ogunquit
39. 39.                          Irish Setter Pub – Presque Isle
40. 40.                          The Brunswick Inn – Brunswick
41. 41.                          Black Elephant Hostel – Portland
42. 42.                          La Pizzeria – Ogunquit
43. 43.                          Pilgrim’s Inn – Deer Isle
44. 44.                          Dairy Queen – Belfast
45. 45.                          Dairy Queen – Woolwich
46. 46.                          Studio East Motel – Ogunquit
47. 47.                          Sea Chambers Motel – Ogunquit
48. 48.                          Bullwinkle’s Family Restaurant – Waldoboro
49. 49.                          Maples Inn – Bar Harbor
50. 50.                          Pine Crest Inn Bed and Breakfast – Gorham
51. 51.                          Red Cloak Tours – Bar Harbor
52. 52.                          Anchorage by the Sea – Ogunquit
53. 53.                          The Purple House – North Yarmouth
54. 54.                          Bresca & the Honeybee – New Gloucester
55. 55.                          Bath Brewing – Bath
56. 56.                          Maine Diner – Wells
57. 57.                          Bintliff’s – Ogunquit
58. 58.                          Timber Steakhouse – Portland
59. 59.                          Café Di Cocoa – Bethel
60. 60.                          DiCocoa’s Market – Bethel
61. 61.                          Sea Dawg Gift Shop – Bar Harbor
62. 62.                          Standard Baking- Portland
63. 63.                          Blue Ribbon Farm – Mercer
64. 64.                          Downeast Provisions
65. 65.                          A Little Mad – Bar Harbor
66. 66.                          North Beacon Oyster – Rockland
67. 67.                          Hush – Bar Harbor
68. 68.                          Nonantum Resort – Kennebunkport
69. 69.                          Markel’s Bake House – Castine
70. 70.                          Lord Camden Inn – Camden
71. 71.                          Maine Sport – Rockport
72. 72.                          Grand Harbor Inn – Camden
73. 73.                          16 Bay View Hotel – Camden
74. 74.                          Rolling Fatties – Kingfield
75. 75.                          Days Inn – Brunswick
76. 76.                          Gather Restaurant – Yarmouth
77. 77.                          Smile Docs – Brewer
78. 78.                          O’Maine Studios – Portland
79. 79.                          Waldo Emerson Inn – Kennebunk
80. 80.                          York Harbor Inn – York
81. 81.                          The Norumbega Inn – Camden
82. 82.                          Buck’s Naked BBQ – Windham
83. 83.                          POPonOVERs Cafe and Bakeshop – Pittsfield
84. 84.                          Big Top Deli – Brunswick
85. 85.                          Home Kitchen Café – Rockland
86. 86.                          Prego – Ogunquit
87. 87.                          Wells-Ogunquit Resort Motel & Cottages – Wells
88. 88.                          Rangeley Inn & Tavern – Rangeley
89. 89.                          Sunset Motel – Old Orchard Beach
90. 90.                          Krista’s Restaurant – Cornish
91. 91.                          Bethel Inn & Spa – Bethel
92. 92.                          Topside Inn B&B – Boothbay Harbor
93. 93.                          Chester's Restaurant –  Millinocket
94. 94.                          Abol Bridge Campground Restaurant, Store and Event Pavilion – Unorganized Townships
95. 95.                          Chesuncook Lake House & Cabins – Unorganized Townships
96. 96.                          Katahdin Ice Cream Shop – Millinocket
97. 97.                          Lobster in the Rough – York
98. 98.                          Bagel Basket Cafe and Coffee House – York
99. 99.                          Pats Pizza – Yarmouth
100. 100.                      Pats Pizza –  Brunswick
101. 101.                      Brewster Inn – Dexter
102. 102.                      Portland House of Music and Events – Portland
103. 103.                      Market Street Eats – Portland
104. 104.                      Super 8 Motel – Lewiston
105. 105.                      Lucky Loggers Restaurant & Catering – Saco
106. 106.                      Mariner Resort – Ogunquit
107. 107.                      Pink Blossoms Resort – Ogunquit
108. 108.                      Sea Rose Suites – Ogunquit
109. 109.                      The Grand Hotel – Ogunquit
110. 110.                      Mister Bagel Maine Mall – South Portland
111. 111.                      Council of International Education Exchange – Portland
112. 112.                      Maine Woods Restaurant –  Unorganized Townships
113. 113.                      The Northern Restaurant – Unorganized Townships
114. 114.                      Lakeview Restaurant – St. Agatha
115. 115.                      Lakeview Camping Resort – St. Agatha