***IMPORTANT - JUST IN*** Governor Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses to Cease In Person Operation Two Week Stay at Home Advisory Governor Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24 at noon until Tuesday, April 7 at noon. The Baker-Polito Administration issued a list of designated businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19 that shall continue to operate brick and mortar facilities during this two-week time period. This list is based on federal guidance and amended to reflect the needs of Massachusetts’ unique economy. SEE THE LIST. READ MORE

SPECIAL EDITION FOCUSING ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 WITH TIPS TO MITIGATE ECONOMIC DAMAGE

#5 | MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MODIFIES LOAN REPAYMENT TERMS, GOV. BAKER ORDERS ALL CHILD CARE FACILITIES TO CLOSE SBA MODIFIES LOAN REPAYMENT TERMS In light of the pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration made an adjustment to the terms of its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program – disaster-related loans of up to $2 million paid back over as long as 30 years . Moving forward,  EIDL loans will defer payments for the first year (12 months) of the loan . This is a change from the initial loan structure, which allowed payment deferral for four months. LOAN WEBINAR TOMORROW Learn more about EIDL loans and how to apply for these financial supports in an SBA Skype session on Tuesday, March 24 at 2:30 PM EST.

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CHILD CARE FACILITIES SHUTDOWN   Under an executive order issued last week, Gov. Charlie Baker required all early education centers and family child care providers to close, starting today; Monday, March 23 ; in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The MA Dept. of Early Education and Care issued procedures designed to open exempt emergency child care programs to meet the needs of families of emergency personnel, medical staff, and others critical to fighting COVID-19. The MA Dept. of Early Education and Care put procedures in place to quickly review applications for emergency programs, and to conduct expedited background checks for teachers and staff. However, these resources should be utilized as a last resort. Additional details can be found on the state's Exempt Emergency Child Care Program website .

Looking for a job? Looking for workers?

The MassHire Central Region Workforce Board and Career Centers, together with the City of Worcester, United Way of Central MA, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, YOU, Inc., and other local community partners, have created an online directory to match job seekers with local employers that have critical hiring needs at this trying time. Please see the two links to the right and click the one that best fits your situation.

Employers in need of workers Job seekers, additional  COVID-19 resources

The Chamber is working in tandem with Discover Central Massachusetts , our hospitality partner, to bring you a list of restaurants which have remained open to varying extents.

Let's sing along with Neil Diamond! "Hands, WASHING hands, DON'T touch me, I WON'T touch you, Sweet Caroline ... Bah bah bah !" Thanks to the Worcester Red Sox team for pointing out this timely edition of a tried and true New England classic!

NOTE | 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. For now, the Chamber's offices remain open. If you would like to speak to someone, please call 508.753.2924 or email the Chamber and we will put you in touch with the most appropriate staff member regarding your request.

Daily Email Archive

Visit the Chamber's Website for Additional Resources

We wish you all continued health and please reach out if the Chamber can be of assistance.