The Energy and Sustainable Development Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership invites you to a special forum as part of its series on the impact of COVID-19 on economic development, "Business Response to COVID-19 in 495/MetroWest." This panel discussion, taking place tomorrow morning, will focus on how different economic sectors in our region have responded to the pandemic.

The panel will include:

This event will take place remotely via Zoom tomorrow, Wednesday December 9th at 8:30 AM; click here to register. The event is open to all interested persons, though registration is required.

Panelists will speak to COVID-19's impact on their business and sector, strategies for pandemic resilience, and their thoughts on the future. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions of panelists.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership's Energy and Sustainable Development Committee focuses on issues related to land use, energy, brownfields remediation, low-impact development, broadband connectivity, placemaking, and environmental stewardship. Committee meetings and events are open to all interested participants.

The Commonwealth has opened a new drive-through Express COVID-19 testing site in Framingham, in partnership with Framingham State University and Project Beacon as part of its "Stop the Spread" initiative. 

Individuals do not need to have any COVID-19 symptoms or approval from a health care provider to get a test at this site. Tests must be scheduled in advance online and will be performed using a self-swabbing method in a drive-through format; all test takers must be in their car at all times during the testing process and walk-up test takers will not get tested.

The new location is at 484 Franklin Street in Framingham, in the Framingham State University Commuter Parking Lot. Testing must be scheduled in advance online; click here to access the online portal necessary for scheduling an appointment. The first appointments at this new site will begin tomorrow, Wednesday December 9th. For more general information about the testing site and procedure, click here.  

Tests at this and other "Stop the Spread" sites are open to all Massachusetts residents over the age of 12 months old. No form of identification will need to be presented at the testing site prior to getting a COVID-19 test.

The Commonwealth also operates two additional testing sites in Framingham, including a drive-through site at the TJX Companies Inc. corporate headquarters on Cochituate Road and a walk-up site at the South Middlesex Opportunity Council on Bishop Street; click here for more information on these sites. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has revised its "Return to Work" guidance for employees across sectors in the Commonwealth, addressing when workers should quarantine or isolate, and at what point it becomes appropriate to return to a work site.

The complete guidance, which can be accessed online here, details:

The revised guidance outlines qualifying circumstances that could potentially shorten a strict quarantine period. Per DPH, COVID-19 infection may occur after an incubation period of up to 14 days after exposure, "however, the majority of cases have incubation periods of fewer than 10 days. Based on observational and published data, and recent modeling work conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if shortened quarantine periods result in increased compliance with contact tracing and adherence to quarantine recommendations, the small risk that someone may develop COVID-19 after a shortened strict quarantine period is outweighed by the expected benefit of reduced transmission from the increased cooperation." 

The revised guidance now specifies (on page 4) the circumstances under which a strict quarantine may end after 7, 10, or 14 days. The guidance notes that some facilities, including long-term care facilities, may have additional risks.

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has launched a Local Rapid Recovery Planning grant program, summarized in the Partnership's November 30th Information and Resource update; the application and program details can be found here.  

The program is focused primarily on business district revitalization strategies. DHCD is encouraging joint applications from municipalities (up to four), either geographically proximate or with similar typology. Successful applicants will be paired with a consultant to work on the project from January to June 30th (all funds must be expended by June 30th).  

MAPC will host an informational webinar on the program tomorrow, Wednesday December 9th at 1:30 PM; click here to register. The application deadline is December 18th.  

The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is a resource for debt financing for small businesses; the purpose of MGCC is to create and preserve jobs at small businesses, inclusive of those owned by women, minorities, immigrants and veterans. MGCC also works to promote economic development throughout the Commonwealth, with special attention paid to business needs in underserved areas, Gateway Cities, and low to moderate income communities.

MGCC offers a number of loan programs for small businesses, including (click the respective links for more detailed information):

Click here for more information on MGCC and its programs.

Sincerely,

Jason Palitsch

Executive Director

The 495/MetroWest Partnership