COVID-19 Resources for Business Owners and Employees

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

The following are resources (including webinars and conference calls) that may be helpful in providing information and/or assistance to business (for- and non-profits) and employees during this difficult time, including some business survival strategies. We will add resources as we become aware of them.  These resources are made available through governmental entities and through private organizations.

List of Webinars & Conference Calls

Visit the Small Business Development Center's website for informational webinars, including archived webinars such as "Business Resiliency Webinar: Keeping the Lights On."

Resources made available by local, state and federal government

State Government

GRANTS

CDBG-CV Microenterprise Assistance Grant (Deadline: Rolling)
The City of Beverly has limited funds remaining in another small business grant program. Although these funds were awarded to individual communities, such as Beverly, they are being administered by MGCC (Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp.), the CDBG-CV Microenterprise Assistance Grant Program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the funds run out.  

The maximum award per microenterprise has just been increased from  $10,000 to $25,000. A microenterprise is defined as a commercial enterprise that has 5 or fewer employees (regardless of whether they are part or full time), including 1 or more of whom owns the enterprise. Businesses must be for-profit. Funds may be used for working capital to cover business costs, such as rent, staffing, utilities and personal protection equipment (PPE) as well as technical assistance, general support, and stabilization of the business.  Microenterprise Assistance grant funds may not be used for major equipment purchases, purchase of real property, construction activities, business expansion, or lobbying. Applications are available here (https://massgcc.submittable.com/submit)  

EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING

North Shore Community College Corporate and Professional Education Division. Your business or your employees may be eligible for training funds. Find out more by visiting MassHire.

OTHER

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) issued emergency regulation 830 CMR 62C.16.2(7), which grants extensions on remitting the room occupancy tax and the sales/meals tax and is aimed at assisting small businesses.

Federal Government

• SCORE talks about why employers should invest in employee training.  Here is a link to the SCORE office located at Cummings Center in Beverly.
• MyMoney.gov is a website created as a result of the Congressionally chartered Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission for the purpose of strengthening the financial capability and increasing access to financial services for all Americans. Their website provides a good deal information including budgeting tools and worksheets that may be useful.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal entity, provides people with information and resources to protect and manage their finances, covering issues such as mortgage relief, student debt, and protecting your credit. Visit their webpage focusing on COVID-19 for more information
• U.S. Department of Labor has issued some guidance (PDF) (not requirements) regarding preparing your workplace for COVID-19.
• United States Small Business Administration (SBA)

Resources made available through private organizations

Private Organizations/Foundations

• Free assistance for non-profits and small businesses is available through the newly formed COVID relief coalition. It is a coalition of law firms, non-profits and governmental agencies in Massachusetts offering help to access emergency loans and other sources of relief.
• The United States Chamber of Commerce has developed a CARES Act guide to identify the many programs funded by the cares act and how you access the funds.
• From U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Small Business Guide.

Information Tailored to Address Concerns of Specific Business Sectors

• The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives has produced a series of form templates to address different situations along with guidance that business executives may find useful.
• Commonwealth Kitchen has created a detailed, very comprehensive guide entitled "Running a Food Business in the Face of COVID-19 Resource Guide."
• The National Restaurant Association has a page devoted to COVID-19. Visit it for facts relevant to the food service industry as well as business planning guidance.
• The U.S. Travel Association highlights components of the CARES Act that impact their industry.
• CODA WORX has improved its website to facilitate the matching of artists with prospective clients. Both artists and their potential clients should visit the website for more information.
• The Artist Relief Fund has been formed by a coalition of national arts grant makers who have come together to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States. You may apply or donate online.
• The Creative County Initiative, through the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), is compiling a list of resources to assist artists impacted by COVID-19. Visit their website for additional information.
• Creative Capitol has developed a list of resources for artists in response to COVID-19 impacts.
• The Retailers Association of Massachusetts has developed a very good resource page for businesses and employees in the retail industry.

Other Types of Assistance

• National Grid is offering several payment plans for those having difficulty paying their energy bill as a result of COVID-19.

RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES

PUBLIC SECTOR

State Government

• The Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General has information for employees regarding their rights, health benefits and on topics of particular importance at this time.
• North Shore Community College Corporate and Professional Education Division. Your may be eligible for training funds. Find out more by visiting MassHire.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance through the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance.
• The Massachusetts Division of Banks has assembled information for financial institutions and those who have taken out loans at this time.
• The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has a webpage devoted to COVID-19 unemployment information including how to file for benefits online. Also see their Unemployment Handbook (PDF).
• The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance also has some information about certain businesses that are hiring such as Amazon.
• The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development has a webpage devoted to action taken by the Commonwealth and guidance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Government

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal entity, provides people with information and resources to protect and manage their finances, covering issues such as mortgage relief, student debt, and protecting your credit. Visit their webpage focusing on COVID-19.

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS/FOUNDATIONS

• An organization named Behind You! is establishing the Behind You Emergency Fund for restaurant employees, who meet their criteria, and work in Beverly, Lynn, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem, and/or Swampscott and whose work is currently negatively impacted by COVID-19. They are currently soliciting donations and they have an application on their website for impacted employees to complete.
• The Greg Hill Foundation seeking donations in order to provide grants to those in the Massachusetts restaurant industry.
• The United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) Charity Foundation is seeking donations and providing assistance.
• Restaurant Workers Community Foundation collecting information about resources available. 

Resources for Not-for-Profit Organizations

• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has created the COVID-19 Response Fund which will focus on supporting nonprofit organizations working directly to respond to the pandemic among the most vulnerable populations in order to help build their capacity for response.
• From Entrepreneur, "A 10-Point Small Business Survival Plan for Dealing with Coronavirus".