May 1, 2020
Dear Friends ,

As another work week comes to a close and May has arrived we are pleased to offer you today’s newsletter with Cape Ann news and business updates. And with Mother’s Day coming a week from Sunday, we also invite you to support our local businesses as you celebrate and honor the Moms in your life. We have created a special Mother’s Day Flyer with links to Cape Ann shops and eateries. Many are offering Mother’s Day gifts and specials, as well as curbside pick-up and delivery.

Despite today’s rain and clouds, the forecasts are for a beautiful spring weekend here on Cape Ann, and better days ahead. Have a great weekend everyone.


Sincerely,

Your Chamber Team

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:

        

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.
Chamber Updates:
  • ArtWeek at Home. As an official ArtWeek partner, the Chamber invites all to participate in ArtWeek at Home. ArtWeek hosts and partners from across the state are posting virtual events and offerings starting today and continuing through May 10. Search #ArtWeekAtHome to be amazed and inspired! To learn more please visit here.

  • The Chamber’s special COVID-19 information and resource page - including information and updates about Cape Ann’s businesses and their operations – continues to be updated daily. Please send your business information and updates to Olivia Perez-O’Dess ([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.  
Member & Community Updates:

New Listings:

  • 2020 Census: Senator Bruce Tarr is urging all of us to complete the 2020 Census. We invite you to view his video on Facebook here.

  • ECCF Announces Third Round of Grants from COVID-19 Response Fund. ECCF has awarded a third round of grants from its Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund, established in March to support nonprofits on the frontlines of the pandemic response. This third round of grants – which totals $710,000 – includes $450,000 from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, and specifically targets economically disadvantaged residents and families, regardless of citizenship.


Ongoing: For listings of Member & Community Updates please click here .

Education & Training Resources:

New Listings:

  • “How to Network Virtually” Webinar. Please join us on Tuesday, May 5 at 10am for this free webinar, presented by professional speaker and author Matt Ward. Learn to activate a virtual networking strategy. For more information and to register please click here.

Ongoing: For listings of education and training resources please click here .

Community Services & Resources:

New Listings:

  • Effective Monday, May 4, 2020 CATA is modifying its weekday bus schedule to accommodate changes in customer travel patterns, provide more consistent service, and sustain appropriate social distancing. Saturday service will run on a regular Saturday schedule, with exception of the Mall Bus. The modified weekly schedule is available by visiting www.canntran.com.

Ongoing: For listings of community services and resources please click here .
Members Helping Members & the Community:

New Listings:

  • BONS Voting Extended to May 3. Many great Cape Ann businesses have been nominated for this year’s BONS (Best of North Shore) awards in their respective categories, including Cape Ann Lanes and Mark Adrian Shoes. You can vote for them and all your favorites here.

  • La Provence is open for scheduled curbside pickup, offering free local delivery to Cape Ann customers and open 24/7 online here. Online customers that would like Free local delivery should use coupon code: FREELOCALDELIVERY. La Provence has so many wonderful options for Mother’s Day!

  • Addison Choate. For delicious cooking recipes and tips, fun Cape Ann bike rides, and other fun things to do while in quarantine (or after quarantine) check out Addison Choate’s blog and follow them on Instagram @addisonchoate.

  • Free Mask Distribution. The UNH and Seacoast Shabad Jewish Center is hosting a free mask distribution event in Durham, NH on Sunday, May 3 beginning at noon. 15,000 masks will be distributed while supplies last. For further information click here.
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.
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 30 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.