• Ken Riehl, CEO, [email protected]

• Peter Webber, Sr. VP, [email protected]

• Olivia Perez-O’Dess, Member Services Director, [email protected]

• Thank You Cape Ann! Thanks to an outpouring of support from our community the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund has reached and surpassed its goal of $200,000. The fund is now providing direct financial assistance to hourly workers affected by closures and hour reductions related to COVID-19. 100% of the funds are going directly to families in need. Your donations are helping our friends and neighbors who are missing out on wages and tips due to closed restaurants, coffee shops, nail salons, daycares, or stores. Your help is keeping Cape Ann a strong and vibrant community, and helping people get through these tough times. Thank you Cape Ann-ers!

• SBA Webinar Tomorrow. The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) is partnering with SBA and the Town of Swampscott to host a webinar on Tuesday, April 7 from 11:30AM-1:00PM to assist your business during this difficult time. Lisa Gonzalez Welch of the SBA will discuss their Emergency Loan Program (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program. Space is limited, so please use this Eventbrite link to sign up.  

• SBA’s New Coronavirus Funding and Debt Relief Options. The SBA has set up a consolidated webpage with information about the new help for small businesses included in the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program, EIDL $10,000 Forgivable Loan Advances, Emergency Bridge Loans and Debt Relief. Link to this new resource page here.

• Chamber CEO Ken Riehl Joins Friday’s Conference Call with EOHCD Secretary Mike Kennealy. The call covered guidance from the Baker-Polito Administration regarding the COVID-19 Essential Services List, background for hotel and motel operators, and for manufacturers interested in joining the Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (M-ERT). Also covered were SBA relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read a summary of the call here.

• CARES Act Expands Unemployment Benefits. The CARES Act enacted on March 27 includes new benefits for individuals not covered under regular Massachusetts unemployment law, such as those who are self-employed or paid by 1099s, those who have recently exhausted their weeks of unemployment benefits, and those who do not have sufficient earnings over the last year to qualify for state unemployment. The CARES Act also extends the number of available weeks of benefits for all claimants and supplements all claimants’ weekly benefit amount by $600. Click here for the latest information from the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance about when CARES Act benefits will be available and when and how you should apply for those benefits. For general COVID-19 unemployment information and to apply for unemployment benefits, please click here.

• Gloucester and Rockport Updates for Citizens. On Friday, April 3 the City of Gloucester reminded residents that social distancing guidelines are extended until at least May 4. Read the full letter from Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Public Health Director Karin Carroll here. On Saturday, April 4, Rockport Town Administrator Mitch Vieira shared a Town COVID-19 update. Read his full message here.

• IRS Issues Warning about Coronavirus-Related Scams. The IRS yesterday issued an alert urging taxpayers “to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and email phishing attempts about the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft.” Read the full alert here.

• Hotel/Motel Guidance. The Department of Public Health earlier this week issued new COVID-19 guidance related to hotels, motels, inns, beds and breakfasts and other short-term residential rentals. Based on this new guidance, hotels, motels, and short-term rentals may only be used for efforts related to fighting COVID-19, like front line health workers or individuals, or for Massachusetts residents who have been otherwise displaced from their residences. Click here for details.

• Governor Extends Emergency Order Through May 4. Read the announcement here.

• State Online Portal for Personal Protective Equipment, Volunteers to Support COVID-19 Outbreak. See details here.

• State Tax-Filing Deadline Extended to July 15. Read today’s announcement from Governor Baker, Senate President Spilka and House Speaker DeLeo here.

• Unemployment Benefits: For the latest information about unemployment benefits and how to apply, please click here. For a step-by-step guide click here.

• Beginning today we are adjusting Chamber operations as we adapt to the impacts of COVID-19. Our newsletters will now be issued every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Even as we are compelled to make some partial, temporary staffing reductions, we remain determined and committed to delivering timely information and support to our members and the community. Team members are available by email and all calls and voice mail messages will be responded to by a member of the Chamber team.

• 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]).

• Addison Gilbert and Beverly Hospitals are seeking our support as they work to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and keep our communities safe. They have established an Emergency Response Fund to provide immediate resources to be deployed for this and future emergencies. See more information here.

• Face Masks II. Scott Muir of Aberdeen Home Care shared this heartwarming story with us this morning: “Judi [Bergeron of Beauport Hearing Care] connected me with a friend and fellow business neighbor named Elizabeth Berthoud, owner of “sacAmain,” who has temporarily converted her business to making cloth, reusable, gender specific face masks. She is asking for a donation of just $2 per mask.”  To learn more and view these special masks, visit here. Email Elizabeth at [email protected] or text her at 978-457-4363.

• Johnson O’Connor has compiled a helpful fact sheet on payroll tax credits and other provisions of this recently enacted Families First Coronavirus Act. Read the details here.

• Gloucester Daily Times “As a public service we have been providing free access to our coronavirus coverage on our website during this time of heightened concern. Subscribers and non-subscribers alike have been turning to us for reliable information in record numbers.”

• The Boston Globe is offering a daily newsletter called “Coronavirus Now" which includes all of the latest credible news reporting on this crisis. People may sign up to receive this email here.

• Sheriff Kevin Coppinger is seeking help from Essex County businesses in procuring personal protection equipment to keep staff and inmate population safe from COVID-19. See the full text of his letter here.

• Cape Ann Business Operations: Please check our website for the most current information

• Cape Ann’s Public Libraries and the National Emergency Library are offering enhanced online educational and reading resources.

• Manchester-by-the-Sea Library Facebook Page

• Sawyer Free Library Facebook Page

• Rockport Public Library Facebook Page

• National Emergency Library has made many books available to the public. See details here.

• North Shore Community College is hosting the following community information session online on Wednesday, April 8, from 3 - 4PM: NACE COVID-19 Town Hall   

• WGBH Distance Learning Center: WGBH has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and WGBY/New England Public Media to provide learning opportunities and resources for students, families and educators. Learn more here.

• Cape Ann Museum’s Timeship: Visit the museum’s Education page and learn about Timeship, distributed to appropriate grade levels throughout the community free of charge.

• Action Inc. continues to provide services via phone appointments and email. Action’s Emergency Shelter remains open and operational. All Main Office and Energy Office services will be available Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. If you have general inquiries or questions, please call 978-282-1000 or [email protected]. You can also live chat with team members at actioninc.org

• Backyard Growers is making rapid repairs to all their community garden sites for the start to the growing season and will be moving all in-person trainings to a virtual format. They are working on a program to expand opportunities for container gardening with new affordable BYG Grow Bags and raised bed garden builds through Black Earth Compost for people outside their income eligibility requirements. More info on BYG website. 

• Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund: In partnership with the City of Gloucester and the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and working with local municipalities, Action Inc. launched the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund to allow us to help hourly workers impacted by the crisis. Over $165,000 has been raised toward the $200,000 goal but your support is still needed to help food service, retail, hospitality, childcare and other hourly workers struggling with lost income.

• Care Dimensions provides hospice and palliative care to many here on Cape Ann. They are experiencing increased demand for crucial medical supplies, emergency financial assistance to cover patient care and more requests from patients for help meeting critical, non-medical expenses such as groceries, utilities and rent. If you would like to support their clinical teams and their patients and families, please visit here.

• Children's Friend and Family is continuing to provide outpatient mental health therapy via telehealth, and is accepting referrals for persons with all forms of MassHealth. People in need of services are invited to call 978-283-7198, and follow the prompts for intake. Referral forms are also available here. They currently have no wait for In-Home Therapy, a service to support families with youth under 21. Children’s Friend and Family is actively exploring the needs of the community in these trying times and will be offering virtual groups in addition to their already established services in the near future. 

• Element Care/PACE announces measures they are taking to care for the many frail elders in their program and protect staff. Read the full story on their website here.

• Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) announced that its Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded a first round of grants, totaling $317,000, to 35 nonprofits on the front lines of the COVID-19 health crisis and serving the most vulnerable populations in our region. To learn more or to make a donation please visit www.eccf.org.

• The Open Door: The Open Door is making every effort to keep our programs operating during this COVID-19 (Coronavirus) event, with some adjustments. Please check their Facebook page for updates. The Gloucester Food Pantry remains open Monday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM, for curbside pick-up only.

• Pathways for Children has established an Emergency Response Fund to help maintain steady support for our children, families and programs during these challenging times. Their goal is to raise $300,000 over the next three months to ensure that they are well-positioned to respond effectively to emerging needs of most at-risk children and families. Pathways is accepting donations to their Emergency Response Fund online at www.pw4c.org. 

• Rose Baker Senior Center staff continue their efforts to remain in contact with seniors at home with wellness reassurance telephone calls from the senior center and staff from their homes. Calls to seniors provide support and information for available services. A wellness visit is provided as needed to a senior we are unable to reach by telephone. Delivery of Meals on Wheels continues each day from the senior center to seniors at home. Reservations for a "Grab a Meal" received at the rear of the senior center are available every day by calling 978 281-9765. Seniors needing delivery to your door of books, puzzles, and cards, please call 978 281-9765.

• SeniorCare is continuing to provide services to their entire service area of Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield, and Wenham. For information and updates click here.

• Wellspring continues to provide Homelessness Prevention & Employment Support services via phone appointments, email, & video conferencing. The Family Shelter remains open and operational. The Shelter is full at this time. If you have questions please call 978-281-3558 Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Staff contact information is available here. 

• The YMCA of the North Shore is providing free emergency child care for the children of parents required to work. See details here.

• The Brass Monkey is donating lunch to all three Addison Gilbert Hospital shifts this Thursday as a thank you for their service. Owner Tom Lance is asking if other businesses would want to do the same as a basis to start a program called “Thank You Thursdays” on subsequent Thursdays and Tom offers to handle the food logistics or leave it up to the other contributors. Please contact Tom at thebrassmonk[email protected] if you are interested in learning more about how you can help.

• The Family PORCH-RAIT Project. Professional photographers Bill Sumner, Shawn Henry and Jason Grow have teamed up to offer Socially-Distanced family portraits on your front porch or stoop, in your yard, or through your front window, all to benefit The Open Door. Email [email protected] to schedule your session.

• Cyber Defense Contractors is offering our business community a webinar on Cybersecurity and Compliance free of charge on Tuesday, April 7 from 8am - 12pm. Whether it's about an email that's suspected of being a phishing scam, PCI-DSS and Regulatory Compliance, or general technology questions their team will be live to answer your questions. WebEx Link: https://cyberdefensecontractors.my.webex.com/join/info 
• Dial In: 1-408-418-9388; Access code: 790 434 006

• Ayurveda Wellness Healing in Magnolia is offering 10% savings on the following: Gift Certificates, Ayurvedic Wellness Consultations (by phone, SKYPE, Zoom, Whats App, FaceTime), all wellness supplements, Ghee (Our very own made with much love), Teas and Oils. Ayurveda emphasizes re-establishing balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, exercise, body cleansing, and the health of the mind, body, and spirit. For further information call 978.395.1234, or email [email protected]

• Cake Ann has opened an online store and is now taking orders for Passover and Easter. All holiday orders will be delivered on April 7 for Passover or April 11 for Easter. This will allow Cake Ann to keep the store open for same day take-out respecting appropriate healthy distance. You can also call or email your orders until April 5 for Passover and April 8 for Easter. Please visit their website for a look at the menu.

• Beauport Hearing Care in Magnolia remains open by appointment for curbside hearing aid cleanings and repairs. They come to your car to pick up your hearing aids and return them to you curbside after servicing your instruments. They are currently not seeing patients for services inside the clinic. Routine office visits and new patient testing are being delayed until after the COVID-19 crisis passes. Call 978-525-2300 for more information or to make an appointment.  

• Manchester-by-the-Sea School Resource Officer Andrea Locke will be hosting a virtual story time for elementary students while school buildings remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sessions will be aired live on the police department's Facebook page at 10 a.m. each Friday starting today. These story times will be held every Friday until schools reopen. The Police Department continues to provide delivery services for residents who are self-quarantined or deemed at-risk. Manchester-by-the-Sea residents can call 978-526-1212 to set up deliveries and for all non-emergency matters.

• Essex County Community Foundation has launched the Essex County Artist Fund to provide immediate relief to Essex County's artists (all disciplines). In addition to $400 needs-based grants, ECCF will elevate the visibility of all applicants across its social media platforms.

• Maestranzi Brothers is offering online purchasing of select machines and delivery within 24 hours. All machines are sanitized with a bleach solution. With this program, there’s no need to come into the store. Just buy online, and they take care of the rest. For all the details click here.

• Barn Dog Day Camp provides doggie day care and boarding services and they are on the list of essential services. They are offering a 25% discount to Doctors, Nurses, Police, Fire, EMS and other healthcare personnel on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. Owner Peter Hoare puts it this way: “These fine people are risking their lives to save ours and the last thing they need to worry about is their dog. We can help with that and our number is 978-522-0418.”

• Infintech’s Mobile Processing Relief Program. If your business has pivoted to curbside, takeout or delivery because of COVID-19, Infintech’s Vital card reader pivots with you. It links to your mobile device via Bluetooth and accepts mag-stripe and chip cards. With their relief program, you can utilize the Infintech Mobile Processing Solution, and they will waive the initial set-up fee and the monthly fee until June 30, 2020.  Contact Matt Valego at [email protected] or (413) 246-5509. 

• Treetop Yoga Studio in Gloucester remains open as a virtual studio offering barre and yoga classes. Anyone interested in taking a fitness or yoga class can go to www.treetopyoga.com.There are a range of classes for all levels, and kids’ yoga will be added this week for free.

• SPECIAL: Chamber members who are new to Treetop may enter a class for FREE. 

• CORPORATE YOGA: Treetop offers a 'yoga break' for your employees working from home, to have either a class specific for them with a company Zoom link or a corporate discount for employees to join a class already on their schedule. Email Erin at [email protected].

• Cape Ann Animal Aid wants everyone to know that their shelter animals are safe. They had a wonderful outpouring of support from the community and as a result were able to safely place over 70 animals into long term foster homes. Read full update here.

• Rockport Music’s Mid-Day Music Series continues. Sign up for email updates here.

• Cape Ann Community Cinema is offering Virtual Cinema. To watch their films click here.

• Savour Wine & Cheese has updated and enhanced its precautions policy focused on customer hygiene upon entering and leaving the store, along w/ reminders about in-store requirements. In addition, updates for prioritized Free Delivery to all Cape Ann Communities and curbside pickup that is very popular for ease and safety. Read all the details here.

• Queenvest, LLC is offering to help business owners do budgeting, projections, and planning and help prepare the financials for EIDC loans at a deeply discounted hourly rate under an extended payment plan. Learn details here.

• Personal Protective Equipment Urgently Needed. The supplies of personal protective equipment are very low and on backorder at most medical supply companies without a delivery date. Cape Ann Rotarians are helping in the search for supplies that can be donated or purchased at cost with a credit card by organizations in need. Please notify Joan Arsenault at [email protected] if you have supplies.

• North Shore Food Resources: SeniorCare has created a "North Shore Food Resources" listing on google docs. This document will be updated as needed. If there are additional resources that should be included, please email [email protected].

• Ryan & Wood Distillery, operating under an emergency federal waiver, is now producing and selling one liter (33.8 oz.) packages of hand sanitizer for $30 plus tax. Please call (978) 281-2282 for availability. Limited to two per person. Ryan & Wood just sold their last bottle of hand sanitizer, but they will have more by the end of the week.

• Hammond Castle: To stay up to date with new event dates and announcements, including ways to help support the museum, please visit https://hammondcastle.org.

• Dogtown Books is offering curb-side pick up or FREE shipping to anywhere in the US on made-to-order Stay At Home Book Boxes. Visit their website for more information.

• Dreamtime Wellness goes virtual! Click here for info.

• Cape Ann Museum: The museum is offering lectures on their Vimeo page, currently featuring lectures from their Judith Sargent Murray lecture series. Discovering Fitz Henry Lane Online—a freely-accessible online resource created by the Cape Ann Museum. 

• Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF): The COVID-19 Response Fund for Non-Profits will help non-profits across Essex County. Find more information here.

• Aberdeen Home Care President Joanne MacInnis, RN, will be live on North Shore 104.9FM at 8:45 each morning, with up to the minute information about COVID-19. Tune in!

• 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 5 update here.

• Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante: April 2 COVID-19 Update

• Centers for Disease Control

• Symptoms and Self-Checker

• What You Need to Know

• Congressman Seth Moulton: Updates and Resources

• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

• Essex: www.essexma.org

• Gloucester: www.gloucester-ma.gov

• Manchester-by-the-Sea: www.manchester.ma.us

• Rockport: www.rockportma.gov