The Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce is here to help you in any way we can during this uncertain time. Please reach out with concerns or questions and we will do our best to find the resources and answers. I have added some important news and resources below from Mass Small Business Association, AIM and the SBA.
 
Mass Small Business Development Center Southeast Regional Office
508.673.9783
 
Baker-Polito Administration Announces $10 Million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund
 
Last night, the Baker-Polito Administration announced economic support for small businesses with a $10 million loan fund to provide financial relief to those that have been affected by COVID-19.
The $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first 6 months. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has capitalized the fund and will administer it.

"As our administration continues to take steps to protect the health and safety of residents, we recognize the hardships facing the small businesses that create the foundation of the state's economy," said Governor Charlie Baker. "This recovery loan fund is a new resource to help small businesses address emergency needs due to the disruption caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."
"Small business owners and their employees are our neighbors and our friends, and their enterprises play vital roles in our communities, and we are committed to helping them cope with the impacts of COVID-19," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "As we announce this small business recovery loan fund, we will continue to work with the Legislature and our federal partners to find ways to effectively provide assistance during this public health emergency."
"Our office remains in regular contact with the state's business community to provide updates and receive feedback as the administration continues to expand its comprehensive COVID-19 response," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. "These new recovery loans complement other resources like the state WorkShare program and federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as well as legislative efforts by the administration to support impacted workers."
"MGCC is committed to helping support the Commonwealth's small businesses through this time," said Lawrence Andrews, President and CEO of MGCC. "We are proud to offer this fund as it serves our mission to save jobs and promote economic development. All processing and funding will take place online through MGCC staff."

How to Apply:
Please complete the application found on MGCC's website: EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org
Completed applications can be sent via email to
[email protected] with the subject line "2020 Small Business Recovery Loan Fund."
MGCC can be reached by email: [email protected]
Loan Fund Details:
Who Qualifies: Open to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits (negative impact must be verifiable).
Terms and Conditions: This fund is being offered with no payments due for the first 6 months, then 30-months of principal and interest payments and no prepayment penalties.
Businesses can apply for loans up to $75,000.
About Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation: MGCC is a quasi-public corporation of the Commonwealth that saves and creates jobs at small businesses, often minority and women-owned businesses, by providing financial services and managerial assistance. MGCC also promotes economic development throughout the state, focusing on Gateway Cities and low- to moderate-income communities. MGCC works with traditional financial institutions to make challenging loans bankable, working with community development corporations and other non-profits to provide financing for job-producing projects, and assisting a wide range of small businesses to find the growth capital they require. Since 2010, MGCC has served over 7,400 small businesses, and positively impacted more than 19,200 jobs with customized working capital financing commitments totaling over $122,000,000. For more information, visit EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org .
Please call MGCC with any questions at 617.523.6262.
AIM is holding a Free Webinar: Facts for Employers About COVID-19
Thursday, March 19 | Noon - 1:30 pm
COVID-19 has become a defining public health, economic and management issue for employers.
Join us online as five respected experts provide the facts that employers need to know.
 
Topics for discussion:
  • Current knowledge on the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 including transmission
  • Common clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and risk factors for severe disease and death
  • Available methods for prevention and their potential effectiveness
  • Workplace safety and issues for workers who travel 
  • Telecommuting or remote working
  • Wage-and-hour issues 
  • Discrimination and Harassment related to COVID-19
  • WARN Act/Plant closings
  • Workers compensation and claims of COVID-19
  • HR Best practices during the pandemic 

Speakers will include:
  • Dr. Davidson Hamer, Professor of Global Health and Medicine at the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine; faculty member in the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory.
  • Delaney Busch,Esq., Associate at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
  • David R. Martin, Esq., Chief Executive Officer at the Massachusetts Health Council
  • Laurie Parsons, Claims Director, A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Companies
  • Terry Cook, Vice President at AIM HR Solutions
  • Tom Jones Esq., Vice President at AIM HR Solutions
  •  

Questions about COVID-19? Read the AIM  Employers' Guide to COVID-19  and AIM Members may call the Employer Hotline at 1.800.470.6277. 
 
Please contact Associated Industries of Massachusetts with any questions.
Corporate Office:
One Beacon Street, 16th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Main: 617.262.1180
Small Business Administration
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program
 
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and Baker-Polito Administration are working closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to activate the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which would provide assistance to eligible businesses and non-profits impacted by COVID-19.
The first step in this process is to meet a minimum threshold of affected businesses within Massachusetts. To do this, affected small businesses and non-profits should download, complete, and submit the SBA EIDL Worksheet and Instructions to expedite activation of the EIDL program.
Completed forms may be submitted by email to [email protected] or by fax to (508) 820-1401. If submitting by fax, please include an email address.
Please note, this initial survey form is not a SBA loan application. When the EIDL program is activated, you will be contacted to apply directly to the SBA and this website will be updated with application details.
For questions, please contact  [email protected] .

This is the TTCC plan as of now.
 
Chamber Events:  While we have cancelled all Face to Face events and meetings for the month of March, we will be holding these as virtual events through Zoom that will allow member engagement.  
Virtual Events (Ambassador Meeting, Human Resource Meeting, all Trex Groups next week and our Board Meeting)
 
Chamber Operations:  Chamber offices will be closed to the public. However, the staff is available via email or phone, Don't hesitate to reach out to us at any time with any questions!