COVID-19 Response
A message from Mayor Sullivan
The COVID-19 health and economic crisis is causing untold harm to businesses throughout the City. To help business owners get the best information about the available economic assistance programs, the City has partnered the Metro South Chamber of Commerce to host weekly web conferences with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Massachusetts Office of Business Development to bring Brockton businesses the most up to date information available. These web conferences/calls are free of charge. A list of resources is available below and on the Chamber’s webpage. These next few weeks and months are going to be difficult. I wish the best for you, your families and your businesses.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office with additional questions at 508-580-7123.
For a copy of the Mayor's letter to Brockton businesses click here.
COVID-19 has presented the business community with many challenges and opportunities. Some companies have been able to weather the storm with minor modifications, while others have had to adapt business models to embrace new markets or change how business is done. While some entrepreneurs are creating new business opportunities, sadly some businesses will not be able to withstand the impacts of the pandemic.
Old Colony Planning Council is eager to work with municipalities, elected officials, and the business community to help local economies and our regional economy recover and become more resilient to future shocks.
To view OCPC’s Small Business Support and Resources brochure click here.
PowerPoint Presentation of Brockton Business Roundtable, October 2020
COVID-19 Resources for Employers 10-15
www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/
The Brockton Redevelopment Authority and the MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board are collaborating through the City of Brockton’s Community Development Block Grant program for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Applicants may request up to $10,000 for business continuity, job retention, and job creation to companies experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.The grant funding may be used for the following critical needs:
-Expenses that would not have usually occurred without the COVID-19 pandemic
-Business continuity assessment and planning
-Marketing, such as paid digital advertisements during and post COVID-19 pandemic
-General business continuity expenses
-Payroll or employee training
-Or any other applicable expenses incurred since the State of Emergency declared in MA on March 10, 2020.
The link to the application is here: https://bit.ly/
Small Business Strong
Strong Business Strong (SMS) is a well-resourced, public-private sector partnership created in Massachusetts earlier this year to help women & minority-owned businesses navigate the COVID-19 impacts free of charge. Guidance is available in several languages. To learn more, visit www.smallbstrong.com.
Reopening Massachusetts
The Baker-Polito Administration’s comprehensive plan to safely reopen the Massachusetts economy, get people back to work, and ease social restrictions while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19.
Learn more about Reopening Massachusetts
Download the Reopening MA report
Four-Phase Approach
Readiness and Capabilities Dashboard
When Can I Open My Business
Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative
The Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative is committed to providing timely and equitable access to the SBA Paycheck Protect Program (PPP) loans for underbanked businesses and historically disadvantaged demographic groups, including people of color and women. As part of this initiative, a coalition of banks are committing to making PPP loans directly, and a network of CDFIs are providing technical assistance with loan applications. If you are a minority-owned business and meet the criteria below, we encourage you to apply through this initiative.
Criteria:
1. You are a minority-owned business, sole proprietor or independent contractor operating in Massachusetts
2. You do not have a banking relationship with an SBA PPP lender.
3. You can complete the PPP application and have access to payroll, benefits and owner compensation records.
SBA – Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The SBA is no longer accepting applications for this loan program as all their funds have been committed. However, should new funding become available you should be ready to apply immediately. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) can provide up to $2 million of financial assistance (actual loan amounts are based on amount of economic injury) to small businesses or private, non-profit organizations that suffer substantial economic injury as a result of the declared disaster, regardless of whether the applicant sustained physical damage. Furthermore an EIDL Loan Advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will be forgiven.
SBA – Paycheck Protection Program
Congress has committed another $355 billion for small business. Don't wait. You should apply immediately. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
Symbium, a private software firm from San Francisco, has developed a PPP calculator and resource site https://ppp.symbium.com/. The site is free and easy to use.
The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a), 504, and microloans for a period of six months. The SBA will also automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of new 7(a), 504, and microloans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
MassHire – Rapid Response
For companies and workers facing layoff as the result of COVID-19 MassHire offers Rapid Response. Rapid Response is a federally mandated program through the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA) designed to assist businesses and employees experiencing a layoff or closing. Before you are separated from your company, the MassHire Rapid Response Team will provide you with options prior to a layoff and refer you to a MassHire Career Center of your choice. Rapid Response Presentation
Metro South Chamber of Commerce
The Metro South Chamber of Commerce is diligently recording updates coming from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Small Business Administration, MOBD, U.S. Chamber, SCORE, and more business resource organizations as we all come together to offer support for our business community. The webinar series is hosted by Mayor Sullivan and Chris Cooney.
October 30, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5TJbA7DPKE
October 16, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0dxLFK53PQ
October 2, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhnCokKBtRA
September 25, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r9jbm4Q530
September 11, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmSvR_Fgsc0
August 21, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?
August 7, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.
July 24, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.
July 17, 2020 webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?
July 10, 2020 webinar
June 19, 2020 webinar
June 12, 2020 webinar
June 5, 2020 webinar
May 22, 2020 webinar
May 15, 2020 webinar
May 8, 2020 webinar
May 1, 2020 webinar
April 24, 2020 webinar
April 17, 2020 webinar
April 10, 2020 webinar
April 3, 2020 webinar
March 27, 2020
Mass Department of Unemployment Insurance – WorkShare
If your company needs to reduce payroll costs because of a temporary decline in business, the WorkShare program is your alternative to layoffs. WorkShare allows an employer to reduce the hours of work for employees in an entire company (or a small unit or department), and the employees receive unemployment benefits to supplement their reduced wages.
SCORE - Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub
SCORE is committed to helping businesses like yours through the unprecedented challenges from the coronavirus outbreak. And SCORE local technical assistance can be found here.
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network provides free and confidential business advice and free and low-cost training to prospective and existing entrepreneurs in Massachusetts. In order to better serve you, business advisors are available by appointment only.
To request confidential assistance, click here
SEED (South East Economic Development) Corporation
SEED operates four different loan programs, which provide funds in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5.5 million. The programs are defined by both the dollar amount and use of the proceeds sought by the borrower – except for the Micro Loan Program which often provides loans to start up businesses and those not yet “bankable”.
SEED’s financing programs listed below are designed to work in conjunction with the lending including commercial institutions in the region
Greater Brockton Workforce Board
The Brockton Business Assistance program is designated for businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will aid small businesses in job creation & job retention and to maintain business continuity. Funded through the City of Brockton’s Community Development Block Grant program and managed by MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board and Brockton Redevelopment Authority, Applicants may request up to $10,000.00 for the proposed need. Applicants can utilize funds to support initiatives that will allow them to continue operating during and/or after the COVID-19 pandemic. Business Assistance Program (Free Google account is required to submit application).
The grant funding may be used for the following critical needs:
- Expenses that would not have usually occurred without the COVID-19 pandemic
- Business continuity assessment and planning
- Marketing, such as paid digital advertisements during and post COVID-19 pandemic
- General business continuity expenses
- Payroll or employee training
- Or any other applicable expenses incurred since State of Emergency declared in MA on March 10, 2020