Businesses across the Maine Woods have taken advantage of a matching grant program from the Maine Woods Tourism Training Initiative to help secure expert assistance to improve their businesses.

Grants and technical assistance have been awarded to 26 companies, so far, providing more than $16,000 in funding for innovation — with funds still available to assist additional tourism businesses.

Grants from $500 to $1,000 help tourism businesses hire consultants on topics such as social media marketing, customer service, customer relations management and business management.

Grant funding is still available to help other tourism businesses improve business operations. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 1. Grants will match the businesses’ investment by as much as one-to-one toward the cost of the consultant, and be distributed on a reimbursement basis.

For more information, go to: www.mainewoodsconsortium.org/tourism-programs#MWTTI.