BANGOR – The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded a $249,822 grant to Eastern Maine Development Corp. of Bangor to help small businesses grow larger through mentoring programs, according to members of Maine’s congressional delegation.

The grant, awarded under SBA’s Business-to-Business Learning, Investment, Network and Collaboration (BusinessLINC) program, helps large and small businesses build relationships through mentor-protege programs and a common database. The program will also form a coalition of small businesses owned by Maine Native Americans, linking them with other economic development entities in the state.

EMDC is collaborating on the grant with Maine’s Small Business Development Centers, the Maine International Trade Center, the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Nation and others.