Today marks the official launch of the Maui Business Bridge grant program, a collaborative effort among the County of Maui, the State of Hawai‘i, Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO), Credit Unions of Maui and Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB).

The Bridge grant program was created to provide crucial assistance to businesses in Maui that have experienced the direct and indirect impacts of the devastating Maui wildfires in August 2023.

Luana Mahi, Director of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, emphasized the pivotal role of small businesses in Maui’s economy. “Small businesses are the backbone of our community, employing residents and supporting its vitality,” she said. “Faced with challenges from wildfires and economic downturn, this Bridge grant program will play a vital role in assisting businesses during these challenging times.”

To be eligible for funding, business owners must meet the following criteria:

• Hold an active registration license established before Aug. 1, 2023, with the Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
• Possess an active Hawai‘i GET ID (General Excise Tax ID).
• Provide a copy of a recent Hawai‘i GET filing dated between Aug. 31, 2022, and July 31, 2023, with a preference for a 2022 annual G-49 filing.

Rental property income landlords/businesses are not eligible for this funding opportunity.

To apply for the Maui Business Bridge Grant program, visit https://mauibusinessbridgegrants.org/.

Grants will range from $1,000 to $20,000, with the assigned grant processing agency determined by the applicant's gross annual income for the 2022 tax year or an extrapolation of the most recent General Excise Tax (GET) filing period for businesses established for less than one year.

All Maui businesses will apply through one application portal.

MEO will administer grants for businesses with annual revenues from $0 to $300,000; Credit Unions of Maui from $300,001 to $599,999; and MEDB from $600,000 and above. Each grant processing agency reserves the right to establish additional eligibility criteria, document requirements, funding restrictions and grant activity requirements.