Dear Friends
,
We hope that you had a restful and enjoyable weekend. As we enter into a new work week, we offer you today’s newsletter with the latest news on the Paycheck Protection Program¸ new webinars and updates from Cape Ann businesses. We wish all a good week ahead.
Sincerely,
Your Chamber Team
Join us again this
Thursday, April 30 at 10am
for our third weekly virtual check-in to share what you are doing with your business and learn from fellow business members how they are managing through COVID-19.
Please use the following link to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84661515137
.
As always, we are here to support you with information about disaster loans, unemployment assistance and business and community resource
s. Please call 978 283-1601 or email us as follows:
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News & Business Resources:
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reactivated Today. Following last Friday’s enactment of “CARES Act 3.5” – which included $310B to replenish PPP – the SBA resumed accepting applications from participating lenders as of 10:30 this morning. For further information about PPP loans please click here.
- Massachusetts Unemployment Assistance. The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now accepting and processing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) applications from those who are self-employed, independent contractors or part of the gig economy. For further information and to apply click here. For comprehensive information on Massachusetts Unemployment Assistance programs please click here.
- Daily and Cumulative Data on Massachusetts COVID-19 cases and testing, and weekly data on confirmed cases by city/town and residents subject to COVID-19 quarantine is now available here.
- Guidelines for Opening Up America Again. The President’s Coronavirus Task Force yesterday announced a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. Read all the details here. To download a pdf of the Guidelines click here.
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- Resources for Cape Ann Businesses. The Chamber team is working diligently to assist our members and the community as we navigate these uncertain times together. We encourage you to review the Chamber’s compendium of Business Resources and Recommended Actions here and we invite you to contact us if you have any questions or need assistance.
- View the Chamber's special COVID-19 information and resource page on our website here. The page is updated regularly. Please send business updates to Olivia Perez-O’Dess ([email protected]).
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Member & Community Updates:
Ongoing:
For listings of
Member & Community Updates
please click
here
.
Education & Training Resources:
New Listings:
- MassPay Webinar for area Chamber of Commerce members. Please join us on Tuesday, April 28 at 4pm for a Q&A roundtable on a range of topics including downsizing, unemployment, PPP and EID Loans, paid leave, employee concerns and more. For further information and to register, please click here.
- MassHire Rapid Response Team Webinar. On Wednesday, April 29, from 2 to 3pm, this interactive webinar will provide up-to-date details on the various Unemployment Programs currently available for businesses and workers in Massachusetts. The Rapid Response Team will review information for and about Traditional and Self-employed Workers, Furloughs versus Layoffs and the Commonwealth's WorkShare Program. To join the meeting, please click here.
Ongoing:
For listings of
education and training resources
please click
he
r
e
.
Community Services & Resources:
New Listings:
- Fuel Assistance Extended to May 29. In their most recent newsletter, Action Inc. announced that they have received an extension for the Fuel Assistance Program. They will continue to accept applications for assistance until May 29. “We hope this helps ease the financial burden for more people in the Greater Cape Ann area.” Read the full newsletter here.
Ongoing:
For listings of
community services and resources
please click
here
.
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Members Helping Members & the Community:
New Items:
- Beth Williams Studio has just launched a virtual studio. You’ll be able to browse and shop, with no quarantine mask or social distancing required! *25% of all sales from now until May 20 will be donated to the Essex County Artists Fund to help out those struggling in the current economic and health crisis. To learn more visit here.
- NeedyMeds - NeedyMeds has been putting together a database of programs designed to help people suffering due to COVID-19 and its consequences. Some are local, but many are national in scope. The information can be reached here.
- Paychex is offering a free HR resource that gives companies up to date information on how to navigate these difficult and unchartered Human Resource territories. Paychex has set up a new website to provide resources for small business owners during the COVID19 crisis. Key features include webinars, information on the government stimulus loans, how to take care of your business during this pandemic; and how to take care of your employees during these times. These resources are available to everyone not just Paychex clients. Please email Emily Papa for further information or assistance.
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Ongoing:
For additional listings of
members helping members and the community
please click
here
.
As we learn of more creative ways that our members and our communities are adapting and responding, we will share them through all our Chamber communications channels.
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Information Resources:
For the most current information about the federal, state and local response to COVID-19 – including information of particular relevance to employers and employees, we recommend visiting the following websites:
- Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) provides helpful information and resources for Massachusetts businesses. Read their latest blog post here.
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, including public health advisories, business resources and government services, please visit here.
- Department of Public Health: Stay at Home Advisory. For details click here.
- MEMA: Read MEMA’s April 26 update here.
For information and updates specific to one’s local community, we recommend visiting the following city and town websites for Cape Ann:
Our goal as always is to serve as a trusted resource
in providing our business community and residents with helpful information and guidance during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The members of your team here at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce are here for you, as we all pull together to meet and overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
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