As COVID-19 impacts Massachusetts, our small businesses are particularly vulnerable. Employing thousands of local residents, these businesses are the economic lifeblood of our community. Please utilize the information contained here as a resource as we collectively get through this crisis and on the road toward recovery. We will add additional information is it becomes available.
Essential Services For Small Businesses
SMALL BUSINESS PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP):
The Paycheck Protection Program will provide funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
The PPP will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.Applicants may contact their primary bank for information on how to submit. Not all banks are qualified to offer these loans. All loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. A list of approved banks can be searched on the SBA site of approved lenders.
Loan Forgiveness
Loans may be fully forgiven over time for ongoing businesses (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels.
Small Business Eligibility
Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors— are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.
Payroll Protection Program Resources
- Small Business Administration website
- SBA Payroll Protection Program webpage
- PPP sample application
- SBA approved lenders
- US Treasury PPP Fact Sheet and FAQ
- US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Guide and Checklist for Coronavirus loans
- National Law Review summary of the PPP
Other Small Business Assistance Programs & Resources: (non-exhaustive list)
US Treasury Small Business Assistance Website
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Loan Advance
- This is an existing business loan program that was enhanced in the CARES Act
- COVID 19 EIDL application
- This pilot program allows SBA “Express Lenders” to expedite emergency financing related to COVID-19
- SBA guide to the program
Employee Retention Tax Credit
- The CARES Act created a tax credit to incentivize employers to keep employees on their payroll during the crisis
- IRS FAQ on the tax credit
- US Chamber guide to the tax credit
- SBA providing principal and interest relief for several common small business loans
General Resources
- SBA Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act
- US Treasury website on the CARES Act
- US House Ways and Means CARES Act resource page
The latest from the US Chamber of Commerce
Baker – Polito Administration announces $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund
The $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund will provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first 6 months.
How to Apply:
Please complete the application found on MGCC’s website, EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org. Completed applications can be sent via email to mgcc@massgcc.com with the subject line “2020 Small Business Recovery Loan Fund”. MGCC can be reached by email: mgcc@massgcc.com
Loan Fund Details:
- Who Qualifies: Open to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits (negative impact must be verifiable).
- Terms and Conditions: This fund is being offered with no payments due for the first 6 months, then 30-months of principal and interest payments and no prepayment penalties.
- Businesses can apply for loans up to $75,000.
Small Business Administration Administrative Declaration of an Economic Injury Disaster for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a notice of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration for all counties in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on 3-18. More information about what this declaration means can be found here:https://www.mass.gov/service-details/small-business-administration-disaster-loans
- Applications can be filled out here:https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
Small Business Relief: The Baker-Polito Administration today announced administrative tax relief measures for small local businesses which have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May so that they will instead be due on June 20. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.
- Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and business that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes.
- The Department of Revenue is currently drafting emergency regulations to implement these administrative relief measures, and they are expected to be finalized before Friday,
Department of Environmental Protection suspends bottle redemption enforcement
- Out of an abundance of caution due to the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office are suspending enforcement of the requirements for retailers to accept beverage containers that have a deposit effective immediately until further notice or until the current state of emergency is terminated. Many grocers, supermarkets, and other retail operations have indicated that they are overwhelmed with an unprecedented volume of customers purchasing provisions. Temporarily suspending enforcement of these requirements will allow individual retailers to assess their operations and, if necessary and appropriate, shift staffing to enable smoother operations. This action will also limit any contamination that potentially could occur from staff handling used beverage containers. Consumers are encouraged to hold on to their deposit containers for redemption at a later date or to recycle those containers with existing household recycling.
Division of Banks guidance for financial institutions working with customers affected by COVID-19
- The Massachusetts Division of Banks recognizes the potential for COVID-19 to adversely affect the customers and operations of financial institutions. The Division encourages financial institutions to take steps to meet the financial services needs of affected customers and communitieshttps://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2020/03/16/COVID-19%20DOB%20Industry%20Statement%2003-16-20.pdf
Small Business Administration declaration of economic disaster in Bristol, Norfolk, and Worcester counties
The federal SBA has administratively declared an economic disaster in Bristol, Norfolk, and Worcester counties. Disaster loans will be available will now be available to entities in those counties.
Information about federal SBA disaster loans can be found here: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/