Business-Related Resources During COVID-19
Salem Main Streets shares everyone’s concern regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are working with our partners in Salem to do everything we can to provide a one-stop overview of resources that exist to support our business community during this time. We will be updating this page continuously as we learn more. [Last updated July 17, 4:30 pm]
General Resources
- MA State of Emergency announcement
- Re-Opening Massachusetts guidelines and resources
- CDC COVID-19 Guidelines and Updates
- City of Salem latest update
- July 17 Emergency Ordinance re: masks in the downtown district
- Salem Together – community resources available, including ways to help or ask for help
- COVID-19 FAQs for Salem visitors
- Exploring Salem virtually – Virtual Salem
- Upcoming or cancelled events in Salem – contact brittany@salem.org to add or update your event
- List of Salem restaurants – current status – contact brittany@salem.org to add your business to the list
- List of Salem retail – current status – contact brittany@salem.org to add your business to the list
- List of Salem attractions – current status – contact brittany@salem.org to add your business to the list
- Surveys to track impact
- MBTA updates
- US and MA Tax Filing Day moved from April 15 to July 15
Resources for Local Businesses and Nonprofits
- CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL Program) – federal loans, applications are now live. If you need assistance with the application, the MA Small Business Development Center – Northeast Region (based out of Salem State) can help you!
- 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 or forgot their name, please email: Kaitlin Muldoon: kmuldoon@salemstate.edu.She will send you the correct paperwork and assign you to your advisor.
- Creative Collective COVID-19 Resource and Info Page – includes resources for arts, cultural, and creative individuals and organizations
- Rapid Response – state-level team support to help employers avoid layoffs and navigate state resources
- Understanding the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and FMLA Expansion (aka the Families First Coronavirus Response Act)
- Employer Leave Obligations during COVID-19 – this is the best summary we have found explaining the different federal and state requirements
- RAM and Fisher Phillips webinar (good for any employer, not just retailers) – What MA Retailers need to know about Employment Law and COVID-19
- US Department of Labor – FAQs about Families First Coronavirus Response
- Businesses with under 50 employees may qualify for exemptions
- Business Tool Discounts and Freebies – a comprehensive overview of vendors making their tools more affordable and accessible to businesses during this time (Square, Slack, Zoom, Shopify, etc.)
- Patronicity – Crowdfunding platform for small business
- MainVest Main Street Initiative – $2,000 when you start a capital investment campaign on their platform
- Nonprofit specific
- MA Nonprofit Resources re: COVID-19 – includes resources for virtual fundraisers and events
- Restaurant specific
- Local food donation instructions – for more information, contact Kerry Murphy at kmurphy@salem.com or 978-619-5652
- Tip – check your insurance policies for any loss of income riders you may have!
- MEMA Emergency Operations Center Private Sector Hotline –
508-820-2094, staffed Monday – Friday from 8am to 4pm
Workforce Resources
- North Shore Workforce Board
- Unemployment in MA during COVID-19
- WorkShare program – alternative for employers looking to avoid layoffs
- Applying for SNAP benefits – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Applying for MassHealth
- MASSCAP Fuel Assistance – aka Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, assistance with heating bills
- Behind You – Support to food service employees
- Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
