Resources for Small Businesses During the COVID-19 Emergency

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Last updated: 2/25/2020

Don’t know where to get started?

Mass Growth Capital Corporation Sector-Specific Relief Grant Program 

Click the link above to go to the website for full details. 

This grant is not first-come-first-serve. Once all application deadline has passed, MGCC reviews all applications and choses awardees based on eligibility criteria. 

A full list of eligibility requirements and documentation to be submitted with an application can be found here.

Paycheck Protection Program 

There will be a new round of PPP Loans, funded in the 12/27/2020 stimulus bill at $284 billion. You can apply for a new PPP loan, whether or not you received one before. You cannot get more than two PPP loans. 

The SBA has made PPP resources available in seventeen languages. You can find a list here.

Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG)

No application or application portal is available as of 2/24/21. The SBA has said that they will announce in advance when the application will open.

  • FAQ here
  • To apply for this grant you will need to have an account in SAM (Short for System of Award Management, typically used to award government contracts). 
    • This is an SBA webinar walking you through how to make an account
    • This is a link to the slides from that webinar 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Grants

The program has re-opened with the following update: 

When EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) grants were passed by Congress, they allowed for a $10,000 “Advance” to be treated as a grant, not a loan. The SBA unilaterally scaled back that grant to only be $1,000 for each employee, counteracting congressional intent. This addresses that issue.

  • Businesses in low-income communities that received an EIDL can get a grant equal to the difference of what they received and $10,000.   
  • Eligible businesses in low-income communities that did not get EIDL/Advance grants because funds had run out can now get $10,000.

Also, if you previously received both an EIDL Advance grant and a PPP loan, you had to deduct the advance from your PPP forgiveness amount. You now no longer have to deduct that amount from PPP forgiveness.

Applicants may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard?of?hearing may call 1-800-877-8339. 

Employee Retention Tax Credit in the CARES Act

The federal CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, is designed to encourage Eligible Employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19, with an employee retention tax credit (Employee Retention Credit).

The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to pay sick or family leave wages to employees who are unable to work or telework due to certain circumstances related to COVID-19. Employers are entitled to a refundable tax credit for the required leave paid, up to specified limits. The same wages cannot be counted for both credits.

Here is a comprehensive FAQ on the tax credit. 

Reopening

  • This is the Massachusetts State reopening landing page
  • Click here to access a communication form that:
    • outlines a process for reporting a non-compliant business; and
    • allows for the submission of questions and comments about the reopening plan.
  • Click here for information on protective supplies and sanitation in the workplace.
  • Guidance for Medical Office Practices from the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety
  • The FDA has published best practices for safe food service and employee health.

Personal Protective Equipment Resources

  • Resources for those in need of PPE, as well as an FAQ
  • Guidance for those looking to adapt their business to produce PPE
  • Resources for those looking to sell or donate PPE to Massachusetts response efforts
  • A link to request PPE, for those who need it
  • For nonprofits and human service organizations, this is guidance for requesting PPE through MEMA 

Unemployment Resources

 

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If you have further questions or need assistance, please contact Senator Lewis at Jason.Lewis@masenate.gov or (617) 722-1206. 

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