Dear Friends
,
We hope that you are enjoying this beautiful Cape Ann day. Today’s newsletter offers the latest news about the Governor’s appointment of the Reopening Advisory Board, the Cape Ann Community Foundation’s extension of their grant deadline to June 30, our weekly Zoom check-in meeting and updates from Cape Ann businesses.
Sincerely,
Your Chamber Team
Join us again this Thursday, April 30 at 10am
for our now 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:
- Boston - State Extends Non-Essential Business Closures Until May 18. On Tuesday, Governor Charlie Baker extended his emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public until May 18. Read the press release here.
- Boston - Governor Appoints Reopening Advisory Board. In yesterday’s daily briefing Governor Baker also announced the formation of the Reopening Advisory Board: “The Board brings public health officials together with leaders from the business community and municipal government from across the Commonwealth. This group is charged with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics.” Read the full statement, including the composition of this 17-member group, here.
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reactivated. 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 Monday 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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- The Cape Ann Community Foundation (CACF) has extended its grant deadline to June 30. CACF is a 501(c) (3) philanthropic organization established by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce to manage funds and award grants from the proceeds of the Cape Ann license plate. CACF makes grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to schools and non-profits serving Cape Ann, for projects that support their mission to improve the economy and overall quality of life for the residents of Cape Ann. For further information email [email protected].
- 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:
New Listings:
- City of Gloucester Updates COVID-19 Resource Page. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken yesterday announced that the city has revamped its COVID-19 resource page for residents and businesses. For the full story click here.
Ongoing:
For listings of
Member & Community Updates
please click
here
.
Education & Training Resources:
New Listings:
- Small Business & Non-Profit Action Plan Webinar. On Wednesday, May 6 at 10am, the Enterprise Center at Salem State University is offering a free webinar exploring ways to keep engaged with customers and clients, conduct marketing during this crisis, and plan for the future. For further information and to register click here.
Ongoing:
For listings of
education and training resources
please click
here
.
Community Services & Resources:
Ongoing:
For listings of
community services and resources
please click
here
.
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Members Helping Members & the Community:
New Listings:
- Cape Ann YMCA thanks Cape Ann Art Haven for creating art project kits for their after school and camp families as well as the community! Every Thursday from noon to 8pm, families can get curbside art activities for the kids to work on from home. Make sure to post and share photos of your awesome creations on Facebook.
- Hammond Castle Executive Director Linda Harvey gives an update on their opening plans and provides information on a new gift certificate promotion. Click here for more details.
- Passports Restaurant Cleaning Crew. Eric and the Passports/Machaca crew are here for you as you complete those shut-in cleaning projects. In the interest of keeping their staff working and keeping our curbs clean while we all do those cleaning projects we have been ignoring, the Passports/Machaca crew are offering curbside pickup and disposal. $225 per ton plus $25 per hour to load the truck. A great way to gut that spare room or basement while helping out your local hospitality friends. Call Eric to arrange your spot: 1-978-304-7723.
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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 28 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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