Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

MA is now offering Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to business owners. You can file your application on the online portal. The application is mobile-friendly and many in the beta test were able to complete it in 15-20 minutes. Here is a list of the documents and information you should have handy when you apply. The application itself can be found here. It provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Contact information: 

• Richard.jeffers [at] state.ma.us , the director of DUA;
• Peter.Cusenza [at] masenate.gov

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation

The Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program expands economic and entrepreneurial opportunities throughout the Commonwealth. The program is designed to complement and enhance traditional public and private small business assistance networks by providing technical assistance and training programs for underserved and/or disadvantaged businesses with 20 employees or less. It seeks to facilitate small business economic viability and improve its ability to secure capital.

Proposals will be due no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, and grants will be awarded on or before Monday, August 31, 2020 (subject to change).

Informational sessions are being offered for prospective applicants. If you would like to attend one of these sessions, please RSVP to Alison Moronta at amoronta@massgcc.com.

Apply here!

LISC and Citizens Bank Launch Small Business Recovery Grants for Massachusetts. 

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Boston and Citizens is launching the LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Program for Massachusetts, which will offer grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses to address immediate financial peril, limit layoffs, avoid gaps in employee benefits or insurance, mitigate

Boston Globe’s Slack Channel

The Boston Globe has created a new Slack channel to be a resource for small business owners. You can sign up here for access. So far over 450 members are taking part in the community and all the businesses are based in or around Boston. This is a completely free resource available to any business in the Boston area.

The Boston Globe Small Business Initiative exists to provide local Boston businesses with coverage, access to resources and experts, and a private community where business owners can share knowledge and communicate directly during this time of need. 

Cambridge Local First’s Visual Directory

With the help of Board member, Rachel Han, Cambridge Local First has just finished building a visual directory of all of Cambridge’s open local businesses and non-profits and is working on the Boston visualization now. If you are not listed or see anything that needs updating, please fill out this Google Form. 

The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority 

They have launched a Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program modeled after the City of Cambridge’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant targeting establishments in East Cambridge and Kendall Square, outside of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy (NRS) areas.

The CRA Program will provide eligible retail, food, personal services, and creative for-profit businesses with a grant up to $6,000 per brick and mortar business. The CRA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program provides short-term working capital assistance to enable the viability of the business and the retention of jobs during the severe interruption of business related to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and resulting social distancing.

Grant applications are available starting today and will remain available until May 29, 2020, or until the available funding is utilized.  For more information regarding the program eligibility criteria, visit the CRA website

Restaurant-Specific Grants and Programs in MA

Selling groceries in Cambridge: The application for restaurants who wish to sell groceries directly to consumers is now available online.

Restaurant and Shelter Program: The City is contracting with local restaurants to provide bagged or boxed meals for lunch and dinner. These meals will then be delivered to shelters and programs that have indicated a strong need for meals. Any restaurant in the city can participate, just email purchasing@cambridgema.gov to get involved.

Thank you to Cambridge Local First for curating this list.

About The MTM Network by The MTM Institute

We grow local economies by bringing business owners together for strategic collaboration. All are welcome to come, connect and collaborate locally and online. To remain accessible, we are a free business network hosted by The MTM Institute, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service.

The MTM Institute strives to empower vulnerable communities, including low-earners, veterans, and survivors of violence and abuse. Our mission is to create safe and accessible spaces for the growth of local economies.

Fueled completely by the generosity of MTM Network volunteers and donors, we support new and growing entrepreneurs, artists, and organizers with educational programs, business services, and inspiration. Our educational programs teach mindful business management through executive leadership, time management, and money management mentorship.

Connect with us at https://mtminstitute.org/joinfree.