Dear Friends
,
As springtime continues to unfold all around us this week we are pleased to you today’s edition of our special COVID-19 newsletter. With
Mother’s Day
now just around the corner, we encourage you to support our local businesses as you celebrate the Moms in your life. Our special
Mother’s Day Flyer
has updated links to Cape Ann shops and eateries. Many are offering Mother’s Day gifts, gift cards and specials, as well as curbside pick-up and delivery.
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So, forecasts for a little snow notwithstanding, have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend here on Cape Ann.
Sincerely,
Your Chamber Team
As always, we are here to support you with information about disaster loans, unemployment assistance and business and community resources. Please call 978 283-1601 or email us as follows:
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News & Business Resources:
- Golf Returns to Cape Ann! Following the Governor’s updated guidance announced yesterday, Cape Ann’s golf courses have moved quickly to open for season in accordance with specific guidelines including:
- No caddies or golf carts allowed.
- All golfers must maintain proper social distancing of at least 6 feet at all times and groups of players are restricted to no more than 4 players at one time.
- Tee Time Policy must be 15 minutes between groups and golfers must stay in their car until 15 minutes before their tee time and must return to their car immediately following play.
- For a complete list of guidelines compiled by the Mass Golf Association, please click here.
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- Boston –Reopening Advisory Board Seeks Input. The Massachusetts Reopening Advisory Board appointed last week by Governor Baker is inviting comments and recommendations from business owners and local official as they develop their report. If you would like to submit comments to the advisory board, please click on this link, which was shared with us by Senator Bruce Tarr. For further information, including the composition of this 17-member group, please click here. The Advisory Board’s report is due on May 18.
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Continues. For further information about PPP and EIDL loans and other SBA loan and debt relief programs 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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- ArtWeek at Home Continues. As an official ArtWeek partner, the Chamber invites all to participate in ArtWeek at Home. ArtWeek hosts and partners from Cape Ann and across the state are posting virtual events and offerings through May 10. Search #ArtWeekAtHome to be amazed and inspired! To learn more please visit here.
- 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.
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Member & Community Updates:
New Listings:
- Messages from Rockport. Marshall and Courtney Tulley from the Addison Choate have created a fun project that gives Rockport businesses and community leaders a platform “to share the creativity that makes Rockport special, to stay in touch with the community and plant seeds of hope during these challenging times.” Check out their latest “From Rockport With Love” video on Facebook here.
- Manchester Historical Museum is now offering virtual tours of the museum and almost 20 lectures and online exhibits on their website. They also offer weekly art and history postings on their Facebook page.
- North of Boston CVB Presents Industry Sector Roundtable Discussions in conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week. Today’s session is on the topic of Arts & Culture and will begin at 4pm and last about one hour. North of Boston CVB members are invited to participate in any or all sessions.
Ongoing:
For listings of
Member & Community Updates
please click
here
.
Education & Training Resources:
New Listings:
- The Massachusetts Health Connector for Business is conducting a free webinar on Thursday, May 14 at 11 am, for options for small businesses and their employees to get health insurance during this time. For more information and to register please click here.
- Virtual Networking Webinar Replay. If you missed yesterday’s virtual networking webinar with Matt Ward - or if you would like to review some of his key networking tips - please click here.
Ongoing:
For listings of
education and training resources
please click
here
.
Community Services & Resources:
New Listings:
- Action Inc. continues to offer assistance through the Cape Ann Emergency Relief Fund. They want to reach as many eligible, hourly-employed people as possible. Here is a link to their website with information about eligibility and how to apply. Apply by calling 978-282-1000 x234 or emailing [email protected]. Action Inc. also has a COVID-19 Resource Page with links to help residents with housing, employment, behavioral health issues, and more.
- CATA has modified 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.
- Discover Gloucester is offering business sector “Guest Preparedness” roundtable conversations. For the first session, on Wednesday, May 13 at 11 am, the focus will be on businesses in Cape Ann’s attractions and arts & culture sectors. Following that on Thursday, May 14 at 2 pm, attention will turn to Cape Ann’s restaurant sector. On Friday, May 15 at 11 am, the spotlight will be on Cape Ann’s retailers. For more information and to register RSVP to Elizabeth Carey at [email protected].
Ongoing:
For listings of
community services and resources
please click
here
.
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Members Helping Members & the Community:
New Listings:
- Cape Ann Foodie Tours is thrilled to be part of a great campaign that's trying to keep all of our visitor-serving businesses afloat until visitors can safely begin returning to Cape Ann. Please check out their new travel site here.
- This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Here is a sampling of Cape Ann dining options and offers for this special day:
- The Pilot House in Gloucester is open and taking orders for take-out and delivery every day from noon to 9 pm. Beer and wine for those 21 and over will also be available for purchase with meals. Pilot House will be serving from their Chinese menu only. To view their menu and to place your order, please click here.
- For a list of additional options to celebrate Mother’s Day and support local eateries, click here.
- Songs of the Sea from Schooner Adventure. Board member Peter Souza, his wife Audi and their young daughter Zinnia are sharing several of their favorite songs of the sea. What started as a short list has turned into a Youtube channel with new songs being added almost daily. Give a listen and let Audi, Peter and Zinnia take you sailing.
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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.
- COVID-19 Command Center Update: Read MEMA’s May 7 Command Center report 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.
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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We at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.
If you are interested in promoting with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Vince Mainetti at [email protected]
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