July 29, 2020
News and Community Announcements

Reopen Boston Fund
COVID-19 Reopening Grants for Small Businesses
in the City of Boston

The Reopen Boston Fund is still open for applications and will help small businesses put in place the necessary public health guidance requirements needed to reopen in the coming months. The funds (grants) will be released in three rounds and will provide up to $2,000 for small businesses to install the required materials to implement public health measures and procure personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to reopen.  Applications and instruction available in 11 languages!

Census Weeks of Action!

Now more than ever, Bostonians need to be reminded to own their power by completing the U.S. 2020 Census. Doing so helps ensure our communities get their fair share of federal funding for critical services and programs from the next ten years. The data collected will also set the stage for how voting districts are shaped and representation is divied up.

Check out the Outreach Toolkit which will help amplify and ensure an accurate count.

Support Black & Brown Owned Businesses

We have built a directory of black- and brown-owned businesses in Boston. If you are a black- or brown-owned business and want to join the list,  please fill out the form on the website  to be added and grow your customer base! If you are a customer looking to support these diverse businesses, please visit the  website and share! 

SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened
to All Eligible Small Businesses and Non-Profits
Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

SBA's EIDL program offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to help alleviate temporary loss of revenue. EIDL assistance can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses. Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, and these emergency grants do not have to be repaid.
 
SBA's COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance
  • The SBA is offering low interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses and non-profit organizations that are suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories.
  • These loans may be used to pay debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact, and that are not already covered by a Paycheck Protection Program loan. The interest rate is 3.75% for keeping payments affordable for small businesses, SBA offers loans with long repayment terms, up to a maximum of 30 years. Plus, the first payment is deferred for one year.
  • In addition, small businesses and non-profits may request, as part of their loan application, an EIDL Advance of up to $10,000. The EIDL Advance is designed to provide emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This advance will not have to be repaid, and small businesses may receive an advance even if they are not approved for a loan.
  • SBA's EIDL and EIDL Advance are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government's coordinated response.
  • The SBA is also assisting small businesses and non-profits with access to the federal forgivable loan program, the Paycheck Protection Program.
  • For additional information, please visit the SBA disaster assistance website.


Paycheck Protection Program has Reopened
FUNDS STILL AVAILABLE

Click here to learn more  OR contact your local SBA-approved lender. There are also several online programs that can facilitate a PPP loan. Please NOTE that you will need to apply for  LOAN FORGIVENESS  after you receive your loan in order to forgive the payroll and rent amounts.

BE AWARE OF SCAMS! SBA does not initiate contact on either 7a or Disaster loans or grants. If you are proactively contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud. You can see a list of  potential frauds and scams  here.
The Runaway Project Boston

The Runway Project Boston is an organization that provides financing for  African-American entrepreneurs  with microloans of up to 20k.

The Runway Project has launched in Boston through a partnership with Berkshire Bank. Loans have 5-yr terms, 4% interest, 2 yrs of interest-only payments and do not consider your credit score. Once you receive a loan from you will also receive 5 years of 1-on-1 business advising. You can fill out an  interest form here .
Tech Goes Home for
Small Business
Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:00 – 5:30
August 11th – September 17th

Tech Goes Home strives to ensure that all residents of the City
of Boston are equipped with the tools, training, and access to support 21st -century skill development. The TGH program offers residents the ability to improve their quality of life as new members of the online community, and use the internet to Live, Learn, Earn, Work, and Play.

This class is for Small Business Owners. You will learn online tools to help your small business. These resources include business skills like getting organized for business, marketing skills information, selling skills information, and basic tutorials to help you start using them. Click here to learn more

Cummings $25 Million
Grant Program 

As a member of the selection committee, I want to express my sincere hope that you can find time to apply for a $100,000 Cummings grant. We know there are organizations that have not yet applied. We would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about the upcoming $25 Million Grant Program . We are accepting Letters of Inquiry through September 4, and we would love to see more requests from communities of color. 

For more information, as well as the link to our online portal, please visit our website .

General Information & Updates

  • Meal Distribution Sites for Children and Youth: The City of Boston, in partnership with Project Bread, YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, and other community organizations, will provide free meals to all youth and teens at various locations and times across the City.
  • Pharmaluxe Pharmacy Delivers: Contact Pharmaluxe to set up an account for home delivery of prescriptions and other first-aid items. Email: info@pharmaluxerx.com or call 617-238-5224.
  • Unemployment Insurance: Obtain updates about unemployment benefits and Coronavirus (COVID-19). Here is additional unemployment information.
  • Need Health Insurance Information: The Health Connector enrollment period has been extended.
  • Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance: The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here for information.
  • Boston Chamber of Commerce
  • The Boston Resiliency Fund is the City of Boston’s effort to help coordinate assistance. Click here for more information.
  • The official City of Boston Coronavirus Information Page where Mayor Walsh's team, including the Boston Public Health Commission is keeping the most current information and recommendations available for our local situation.
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Coronavirus Resources Page.
  • Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Fact Page.
  • ISD Guidelines keeping your establishment safe. Click here for the steps you can take.
Additional Resources

  • City of Boston Health Line: 617-534-5050
  • Social Media Sites for Mayor Walsh - @Marty_Walsh
  • City of Boston - @CityOfBoston
  • Boston Public Health Commission - @Healthy Boston
  • 311 is the City of Boston information Line and 211 is the Massachusetts/NH Information Line
  • For all constituent services, please call 311
  • Please follow us on Twitter @EconDevBos
  • Facebook @ EconDevBos
  • For the Mayor’s Hotline for questions about COVID-19, please call 617-534-5050.
  • Text BOSCOVID to 99411 to opt-in to the City of Boston's daily text service for updates and information regarding COVID-19. This is a free service.
You can support the work of Upham's Corner Main Street by making a donation today.


Upham's Corner Main Street | 545 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125