BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION EXTENDS NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS CLOSURES TO CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS CLOSURES
EXTENDED TO MAY 4
As of this week, Gov. Baker’s emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “
COVID-19 Essential Services
” has been extended to include non-essential construction. Work on housing, transportation, telecommunications, or health care projects will continue.
Under these
new qualifications,
workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC technicians, landscapers, inspectors, and other service providers who provide services necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses, and buildings such as hospitals, health care facilities, senior living facilities, and any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response have been deemed by the Baker-Polito administration as essential.
The Telegram & Gazette has compiled
a list of many construction projects
which were either underway or planned prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Worcester and where they stand as of April.
This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4.
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LENDERS TO BEGIN PROCESSING PPP LOANS
Commencing Friday,
April 3 (TOMORROW)
, lenders can begin processing loans submitted via the Paycheck Protection Program.
Applications can be submitted to any participating Small Business Administration lender, federally-insured depository institution, federally-insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution.
Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. Consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.
Many local banks have been deputized as Small Business Administration lenders to help administer this federal program. Please contact your bank for
more information. If you are in need of a bank, please reach out to the
Chamber. We would be happy to put you in touch with one of our
member financial institutions.
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After driver protests fed by COVID-19 fears, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority now requires all passengers to board buses at the rear door. Because fares are collected at a console adjacent to the front door, as a result,
for the next 30 days the WRTA has chosen to waive fares for riders
. The policy was announced Tuesday.
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Let the professional cleaners do it. Navigate to the Chamber's homepage for a
list of member cleaning companies
able to disinfect your space or provide best practices for a hygienic office or home environment.
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Looking to transition your operation a virtual platform? We've compiled a
list of member IT companies
which can do just that. They can also teach you the best tools to communicate remotely and remain flexible.
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When's the last time you gave blood?
Hospitals across Central Mass are in dire need of blood, platelet, and plasma donations. If you are able, please consider donating during this uncertain time via the local Red Cross.
Start the process online at
redcrossblood.org
by typing in your zip code and reviewing eligibility requirements.
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FREE Webinar: #3 Running Your Business in Quarantine:
A Survival Guide |
Friday, April 3 from 2 to 3 PM
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Join Kham Inthirath, CEO of InThink Agency, for a free webinar for all businesses to help them get up and running during this difficult time, tune in to learn from InThink Agency CEO, Kham Inthirath. During this hour-long webinar he discusses how to leverage chatbots in sales and marketing strategies.
- What is conversational marketing?
- Drift Chatbot Uses
- Tips & Tricks
- Rapid Response Business Plans and Why You Need One
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SHOW YOUR WORCESTER PRIDE: SEND A SMILE!
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To spread a little cheer, the Worcester Historical Museum is encouraging residents to make and post smiley faces - a Worcester original! -
wherever you are.
Post your smiles on social media with #SmileTogether.
Go big or go small, but get your
smile on!
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NOTE
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To keep our members up-to-date on available resources and the Chamber response to COVID-19, for the foreseeable future the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce will issue daily emails at noon. These emails contain a variety of information from local, state, and federal loans to the offerings of local businesses and best practices during this uncertain time.
As always, we are here to help.
Due to the Governor’s stay-at-home advisory for non-essential employees, the Chamber office will be closed through April 7. Staff members will be checking email and voicemail and will respond accordingly. We will continue to monitor the most up-to-date information to best serve our business community. If you need assistance at the office, please email
the Chamber
. If you need assistance with Certificate of Origin processing, please email
Brenda Elmes
, office manager.
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We wish you all continued health. Please reach out if the Chamber can be of assistance.
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