COVID-19 Emergency Resources
Important Unemployment Benefits Update:
For Information about Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), click here. PUA is unemployment benefits for independent contractors and sole proprietors. Please note that you cannot get PUA and have an SBA PPP loan.
Re-Opening Resources
General Re-opening Resources
- Reopening Massachusetts provides a plan for reopening, including industry specific reopening guidance.
- Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards from MADPH.
- Mandatory Self Certification Requirements - These requirements include a control plan for reopening and post the Compliance and Employer Posters.
- SCORE's Reopening Tool Kit covers: cash flow, marketing and communication.
- Massachusetts Reopening 4 Phases with more information coming.
- Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards from MADPH
- US Chamber of Commerce Reopening Guide
- Tocci & Lee’s Guide to Reopening Business
Phase 1 Industry Specific Guidelines
Phase 2 Industry Guidelines
- Retail Checklist
- Retail Safety Standards
- Lodging Checklist
- Lodging Safety Standards
- Restaurants Checklist
- Restaurants Safety Standards
- ABCC Advisory on Local Licensing Authorities' Approval
- Safety Standards for Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools
- Safety Standards for Playgrounds and Outdoor Fitness Areas
- Close Contact Standard
- Close Contact Checklist
- Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed Phase 2 Standards
- Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed Phase 2 Checklist
Other Helpful Resources
- Back to Work Safely - US Chamber working with multiple industries includes links to those industries resources and guidance.
- American Hotel & Lodging Association - Enhanced Hotel Cleaning Standards.
- National Restaurant Association - Restaurant Reopening Guidance.
- American Hotel & Lodging Association - Enhanced Hotel Cleaning Standards.
- FDA Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants and Food Pick Up and Deliver Services
- State of Massachusetts Guidance for Construction Sites
- National Retail Association - Operation Open Doors
- Professional Beauty Association - Back To Work Guidelines
- Store Operations Council of Kathy Hoka and Associates has a Guide to Reopening.
Compiled below is a list of resources to help small business during this unprecedented crisis. If you have any questions or are in need of assistance, please contact Pam Andersen.
Small Business Assistance
CDP Inside Scoop Business News
- July 9 Newsletter
- July 2 Newsletter
- June 26 Newsletter
- June 22 Newsletter
- June 17 Newsletter
- June 16 Newsletter
- June 10 Newsletter
- June 5 Newsletter
For Small Business Assistance Loans
- Emergency Injury Disaster Loan
- Paycheck Protection Program - Lenders
- FAQ on the PPP
- Forbes Article - Five Things to Do After Receiving a PPP Loan
- Journal of Accountancy - What to do if laid off workers do not want to come back
- SBA Debt Relief Program – for businesses with existing 7(a), 504 and microloans
- Other Small Business Loan Resources
Individual Business Assistance
- Community Development Partnership - Contact Pam Andersen
- Cape Cod SCORE
- Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
- Coastal Community Capital
Other Online Resources
- US Chamber of Commerce
- Independent Contractor’s Guide to CARES Act Relief
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist
- Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave Guide
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Guide
- Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide
- Coronavirus Small Business Guide
- Coronavirus Response Toolkit
- Inc Magazine
- SCORE resources
Legal Assistance
- The Lawyers for Civil Rights Boston has video training to help employers, visit their website and facebook page.
- WE CAN offers Business Law Legal Consults to businesses on Cape Cod. Call WE CAN at 508-430-8111 to schedule an appointment.
Massachusetts Statewide Information
General Resources
Food and Restaurant Resources
- Commonwealth Kitchen
- MA Restaurant Association
- Setting the Table - A webinar for food service business (April 22 & May 7)
Resources for Agriculture
- Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Resources
- Farmer Relief Fund
- Mass Food Trust
- Pro-bono legal resources for income-eligible farmers
Resources for Artists
- Cape Cod Arts Relief Fund
- The Mass Humanities with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities will offer grants to museums, libraries, archives, and other non profit organizations across Massachusetts. Application opens May 4th.
- https://districthallboston.org/grants-and-resources-for-entrepreneurs-artists-non-profits/ National Resourses for Artists, Writers and muscians.
- https://www.assetsforartists.org/blog/coronavirus
Unemployment Information
- Department of Unemployment Assistance
- Employment Law Alert
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance - for self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and those with a limited work history.
- PPP vs Unemployment article from Bench - You can not have a PPP Loan and accept PUA at the same time.
Other Resources
- Love, Live, Local a Hyannis based non-profit is offering free listings to any business that is currently open. You can message them on their Facebook page.
- The U.S. Chamber Foundation is launching the Save Small Business Fund with Vistaprint to provide assistance to small businesses and local chambers of commerce impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. For More information click here.
- Cape Cod Resiliency Fund - From Live, Love, Local will provide direct grants to small business owners on Cape Cod to offer some relief from economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Applications are open now.