Below is a list of useful links and updates about COVID-19 resources. We are continuing to add information to this page.
Resources for Businesses
Beverly Main Streets
We are collecting info from downtown businesses in this form Are you open / closed / offering outdoor dining, shopping, take out etc?
City of Beverly
https://www.reopenbeverly.com/
City of Beverly COVID-19 Resources
Mayor’s statement regarding the City of Beverly remaining in Phase 3 – Step 1 (Oct 2) as well as the Emergency Order signed by the Director of Public Health, Bill Burke (Oct 5)
State of Massachusetts
Detailed industry reopening plan
Reopening Compliance Attestation Poster
COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses
Work Share (Employers can divide available work between affected employees instead of laying off workers)
MassHire Department of Career Services Rapid Response Employer Information updated 4/14
Click here for the full list of categories of “COVID-19 Essential Services” updated March 31
COVID-19 Essential Services FAQs are here, providing further guidance on a rolling basis with regular updates
To request a waiver to receive an essential service designation (from the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
- Businesses deemed essential based on the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance do NOT need to apply for an Essential Service Designation
- Please reference the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance to see if your business is covered – https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-essential-services
- If your business is covered, you do not need to take any action or receive an essential service designation
- Businesses that are NOT covered under current guidance can submit an online request to be designated as essential for the purposes of the Emergency Order
- Essential Service Designation request – https://www.mass.gov/forms/essential-service-designation-request
- Please only request a designation if your business is not covered by the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance
- Please do not send duplicative emails to covid19.biz@mass.gov if you submitted via the online form
- Staff is actively monitoring this inbox; duplicate inquiries are not necessary.
We will continue to keep this group informed by sending emails, posting on EOHED’s website, and by updating the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list. Due to the current volumes, we will not be responding to individual queries.
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
If you do not already have an SBA coach, and you have questions regarding the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) process, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) would be happy to answer questions. They provide one-to-one confidential free advising. Your must first complete a Request for Counseling (RFC). The RFC may be obtained at http://sbdc.salemstate.edu/rfc.html .
- If you are already a client of the MSBDC-Northeast Regional Office, please email your advisor for the next step in the process: Walter Manninen: wmanninen@salemstate.edu; Awilda Irizarry: airizarry@salemstate.edu; Nancy Gerardi: ngerardi@salemstate.edu
- If you do not have an advisor yet at the MA Small Business Development Center or forgot their name, please email: Kaitlin Muldoon: kmuldoon@salemstate.edu.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) updated as of 4/7
Paycheck Protection Plan Interim Final Rule 2_0 – dated April 15
Helpful Phone Numbers – SBA Resources for EIDL and PPP
- SCORE – 978.927.2282
- Center for Women & Enterprise – 617.536.0700
- Small Biz Development Ctr (SBDC) – 978.542.6343
CARES Act
Massachusetts Announces Initial Implementation Of New Federal Unemployment Benefits From CARES Act
How the CARES Act can help your Business provided by Seth Moulton
US Small Business Administration
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
“The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. This will ensure that SBA has properly coded the system to account for changes made by the legislation.”
Information from https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses#sba-relief-options-
Summary of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Financial Assistance
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on the payroll. Loans are up to $10M, with a 1.0% interest rate and a 2-year maturity; there are no payments for the first six months.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance is a Loan Advance of $10,000 that is available to applicants who have been approved for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan; it does not need to be repaid, so you can think of the Advance as a grant for business expenses.
The Express Bridge Loan Program is available to businesses that have an existing business relationship with an SBA-approved lender; speak to your lender about accessing this option while you await a decision on long-term financing.
The SBA is also offering Debt Relief to small businesses. Under this relief, the SBA will automatically pay the principal and interest for six months beginning March 27th, 2020 for qualifying new and current holders of 7(a) loans, 504, and microloans
Federal Tax Relief Provisions
The Employee Retention Tax Credit is a tax credit against federal tax liability that can benefit almost any employer (regardless of size and including tax-exempt organizations) whose business has been either fully or partially suspended by government orders due to COVID-19, or whose revenues have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. The purpose of the credit is to reduce a portion of the costs of keeping employees on payroll and provide direct relief to businesses. Employers can have an effective “refund” (tax credit) of up to $5,000 per employee by reducing their required payroll deposits. Eligibility for the credit is impacted by the business’ utilization of other federal stimulus programs. Read more about this provision in the IRS’s policy document and keep an eye on the IRS’s Coronavirus Tax Relief page for additional guidance as it becomes available.
State Tax Relief
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) is actively monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus. Please visit their COVID-19 Coronavirus Response Update page for the latest on filing and payment extensions and penalty relief, tax or debt resolutions, communicating with DOR, and more.
MA Small Business Development Center Network – Massachusetts Export Center
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
- The federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and FMLA Expansion (Families First Coronavirus Response Act) goes into effect on April 1
- Employer Leave Obligations during COVID-19
- US Department of Labor – FAQs about Families First Coronavirus Response
Grants, Loans, Crowd Funding and more
Massachusetts Growth Capital SBA Microloan program
MassDevelopment Equipment Loan
Small Business Relief Tracker: Funding, Grants And Resources For Business Owners Grappling With Coronavirus (note – some of these resources, especially the grants, are available on a first-come, first-served basis so apply sooner rather than later)
LISC resources, including grants
CDC
US Department of Labor
To make a donation of supplies to Beverly Hospital
Food or Material Donations to Beverly Hospital
Covid-19 Gift-in-kind Acceptance for Businesses
AGH and BH Gift-in-Kind Loading Dock Directions
Downtown Boston and surrounding area
ADVISORIES, BUSINESS RELIEF & RECOVERY RESOURCES
Reliable PPE & Plexiglass Sources
Masks
Salem Plumbing Supply – support local!
Amazon
Restaurant Depot
Cleanzone
Sysco
Conley Drug Store
Trimark United East
Arrow Paper
Grainger
US Foods
Gloves
Gordon Food Services
Trimark
Sysco
Restaurant Depot
Staples
Sirois
Arrow Paper
Amazon
Plexiglass
Interstate Plastic
Trimark
Lowe’s
Home Depot
Weaver Glass
Picture Hanging Systems (sneeze guards)
Resources for Restaurants
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-restaurants Effective: November 6, 2020
Massachusetts Restaurant Association Coronavirus Information & Resource Page
Independent Restaurant Coalition – Resources page
Independent Restaurant Coalition – COVID-19 Legislation
The Paycheck Protection Program study
National Restaurant Association
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) Executive Summary for Restaurants
This Technical Information Release announces that the Department of Revenue will waive any late-file or late-pay penalties imposed under G.L. c. 62C, § 33 for returns and payments due during the period March 20, 2020 through May 31, 2020, for certain taxpayers with meals tax and room occupancy excise obligations. TIR 20-2: LATE-FILE AND LATE- PAY PENALTY RELIEF FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS TAXPAYERS AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY
Restaurant Employee Relief Fund
Save America’s Restaurants Petition
United States Bartenders Guild Charity Foundation
Resources for Artists
Mass Cultural Gaming Relief for non-profit and municipal performing arts centers
Mass Cultural Relief fund for artists – due April 22
Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Relief information
New England Foundation for the Arts COVID-19 Resources
Anonymous Was A Woman Emergency Relief Grant
Congress passes “CARES” act providing immediate economic relief for entertainment workers
Mass Cultural Council COVID-19 Resources
Creative Collective – COVID-19 Resource and information page
Lost Income Due To COVID-19? Here Are Grants And Resources For Artists And Nonprofits
Creative Capital – List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Resources for Non-profits
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network COVID-19 Resources
Barr Foundation’s investment toward COVID-19
Resources for Residents
MA Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Employee Unemployment FAQ: COVID-19
Beverly Bootstraps – Help feed Beverly
Healthcare Liability Protections Bill Summary
H4647-Evictions Foreclosures Bill Summary
Beverly Athletic Club community resource page
MBTA COVID-19 info (reduced service)