In the News

Below are a few select articles about the MSBDC Network that made headlines and/or relevant information for small businesses. Click on link to read the story.

• May 28, 2021 - The SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program is designed to provide high quality support and assistance with pandemic relief programs and recovery services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

• Apr 27, 2021 - Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening: Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10 and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29 and August 1. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts remains first in the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita, among states with more than 5 million people. The Administration will also relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings, effective April 30.

• Apr 21, 2021 - The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) provides funding to help eligible restaurants, bars and other businesses keep the doors open. Registrations begin on April 30 at 9 a.m. with applications opening on May 3 at noon EDT.

• Apr 18, 2021 - SBA aims to reopen the SVOG (Shuttered Venue Operators Grant) by the end of the week of April 18, 2021.

• Apr 10, 2021 - Executive Spotlight on Keith Girouard, regional director of the MSBDC Berkshire Regional Office

• Apr 8, 2021 - Due to technical difficulties, SBA has temporarily suspended the SVOG (Shuttered Venue Operators Grant) application portal. SBA is working closely with the portal vendors to reopen as soon as possible.

• Mar 30, 2021 - President Biden announces program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable and extends deadline to May 31, 2021

• Mar 25, 2021 - Business Certifications Explained: The Basics (updated March 2021)

• Mar 25, 2021 - Microenterprise Forgivable Loan opportunities available for businesses in Franklin County, and other towns in western Mass, click here and go to "Resources for All Businesses"

• Mar 24, 2021 -SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

• Mar 23, 2021 - The Small Business Resiliency Technical Assistance Grants Program will support non-profits who offer programming designed to help existing small businesses recover and thrive post COVID-19 in underserved communities in Massachusetts.

• Mar 23, 2021 - The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act to provide over $16 billion in economic relief to target industries. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees. The SVOG application will open April 8, 2021. Click here for FAQs.

• Mar 23, 2021 - SBA is now allowing applicants that file IRS Form 1040, Schedule C to calculate their maximum loan amount using gross income instead of net profit, which may enable some borrowers to access higher loan amounts. See the form for First Draw PPP applicants and Second Draw PPP applicants online.

• Mar 22, 2021 - CDFI & CDC Matching Capital Program seeks to support the recovery, resiliency, and growth of small businesses in underserved communities post COVID-19 by providing matching capital to eligible non-profit community-based lenders.

• Mar 21, 2021 - As part of the Administration’s “Partnerships for Recovery” plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy, the Workforce Skills Cabinet has announced a new grant program, the Rapid Reemployment Program. Through this program, occupational training providers partner with MassHire Centers and at least one employer to build specific skills in the labor market and match those skills with good jobs. Target sectors include in-demand Healthcare, Information Technology, Financial Services or Transportation occupations. Importantly, the Rapid Reemployment model leverages the performance based contracting approach used in the Career Technical Initiative. Eligible lead applicants are Massachusetts based training providers with experience and existing training capacity to deliver occupational training to the target population for proposed targeted occupations. Read more about this program here.

• Mar 16, 2021 - SBA announces extended deferment periods for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program until 2022.

• Mar 15, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Mar 10, 2021 - Recent federal legislation created a new grant program, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, to be administered by the SBA. Stay tuned for news about this program’s opening in the coming weeks!

• Feb 25, 2021 - Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening (watch video)

• Feb 22, 2021 - Biden Administration takes steps to promote equitable access to SBA relief... In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer PPP loans to businesses with 20 or less employees and sole proprietors only from February 24 - March 10, 2021.

• Feb 18, 2021 -  New grant program aims to empower black-owned small businesses across New England through $25,000 grants and a direct assistance program

• Jan 18, 2021 - Pandemic has opened doors for entrepreneurs

• Jan 05, 2021 - SBA introducing "Ascent", the first-of-its-kind online resource specifically designed to help the nearly 10 million American women entrepreneurs grow and scale their small business. All content is backed by research on the needs of empowering women business owners and female entrepreneurs.

• Jan 05, 2021 - SBA Extends COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline through Dec. 31, 2021

• Dec 23, 2020 - Governor Baker announces $668 million small business relief package (video)

• Dec 22, 2020 - New Massachusetts COVID Restrictions take effect on Dec 26 (video)

• Dec 14, 2020 - NEW EIDL DEADLINE DECEMBER 31! What to do if my EIDL was declined? Please be advised that the deadline to apply for EIDL funding is now DECEMBER 31, 2020. Additionally, if your COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan was declined, you can request reconsideration within six months of the date of the decline letter. Include your application number and information required to overcome the reason for decline. You can send this information via email to pdcrecons@sba.gov or mail to the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155. Learn more

• Nov 05, 2020 - Update from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

• Nov 02, 2020 - Governor Baker announces new orders and advisories - early Business Closures, Revised Gatherings, Mask Orders Announced to Disrupt Growth of COVID-19 Cases

• Oct 22, 2020 - Governor Baker establishes new $50M grant fund to help struggling small businesses

• Oct 20, 2020 - Oct 20, 2020 - Amherst Small Business COVID Recovery Grants Program

• Oct 20, 2020 - Regional Small Business COVID Recovery Grants Program - The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has been awarded federal funds through the CARES Act to support local small businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Oct 07, 2020 - Main Street Matters grant opportunity for small businesses in Norfolk County

• Sep 24, 2020 - Massachusetts Relaxes Restaurant Guidelines to Allow Bar Seating, 10 Customers Per Table

• Sep 22, 2020 - Dave Winchester Named Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year

• Sep 22, 2020 - Worcester Software Innovator Named Massachusetts Small Business Person of the Year

• Sep 21, 2020 - Eversource Extends Deadline for Enhanced Small Business Energy Efficiency Offerings to October 15

• Sep 18, 2020 - Jeff’s Granola Named Microenterprise Business of the Year

• Sep 17, 2020 - Ruth Agbaji Named Woman Small Business Owner of the Year

• Sep 09, 2020 - Thom Fox interviews Samalid Hogan, MSBDC Regional Director (22 mins)

• Aug 31, 2020 - Where U.S. small businesses are feeling the most pandemic pain

• Aug 28, 2020 - Massachusetts Vacant Storefronts Program (MVSP). The Massachusetts Office of Business Development oversees the Vacant Storefront Program. This program helps municipalities drive local economic development by offering an incentive for businesses to occupy vacant ground floor storefront in downtowns or other commercial areas.

• Aug 28, 2020 - Taxi & Livery Business Support Grant Program. MassDevelopment recently announced a new funding program which offers taxi, livery, and hackney operators financial assistance to secure products or services that will aid in improving their competitiveness and enhancing safety capabilities in the rapidly evolving market of for-hire transportation. Learn more and apply here.

• Aug 28, 2020 - The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism recently launched a campaign to promote shopping local to support small businesses across the Commonwealth. You’re invited to participate and help businesses in your community promote the campaign, particularly through social media, retail websites, and by posting the campaign flyer in brick-and-mortar spaces. For additional information and tools, visit FindMyLocalMA.com.

• Aug 28, 2020 - Visit the Department of Unemployment Assistance Employer Customer Service to find information and resources for employers.

• Aug 20, 2020 - STOPfakes.gov Roadshows is shifting to virtual content which will be available to the public via webinar. Questions from the participants will be accepted by email and posted online.

• Aug 11, 2020 - Worldwide Logistics from Worcester - SBA and Massachusetts Export Center supports life sciences market expansion

• Aug 07, 2020 - Governor Baker slows Mass. reopening process, tightening restrictions on gatherings and restaurants. Watch press conference by clicking here.

• Jul 28, 2020 - Covid-sb.org is the new official federal resource website for U.S. small businesses affected by COVID-19.

• Jul 24, 2020 - Governor Baker Issues Strict Travel Order starting August 1

• Jun 24, 2020 - Alert: FTC, SBA warn companies about SBA loan promises

• Jun 23, 2020 - The Clock is Ticking... Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program Today! Deadline is June 30!

• Jun 19, 2020 - Consistent with Public Health Data and Trends, Step Two of Phase II of Reopening Massachusetts Set to Begin on June 22

• Jun 18, 2020 - Last Chance to Apply for Paycheck Protection Program Funds: June 30 Deadline! Time is running out to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to help your small business through the COVID-19 crisis. There is still more than $120 billion available and the June 30 deadline to apply is fast approaching! Click here for details.

• Jun 16, 2020 - Massachusetts Trade Landscape with Paula Murphy, Director of the Massachusetts Export Center and Massachusetts State Representative Lori Ehrlich, Chair of the Joint Committee on Export Development (video 53:10)

• Jun 15, 2020 - SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened

• Jun 10, 2020 - City of Greenfield Announces COVID Recovery Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program

• Jun 10, 2020 - Download the updated Return to the Workplace Guide For Massachusetts Employers​​​ - Phase I & Phase II. Courtesy of Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

• Jun 08, 2020 - Joint Statement by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza Regarding Enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act

•  Jun 08, 2020 - Massachusetts Phase II reopening details

• Jun 01, 2020 - Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Lending Update from SBA

• May 27, 2020 - Be On Alert for National Unemployment Insurance Scam: Associated Industries of Massachusetts today warned employers and workers to be on alert for a national scheme in which scammers are using stolen person information to file fraudulent unemployment claims in Massachusetts. Read more...

• May 26, 2020 - SBA and Treasury release Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application.

• May 26, 2020 - Associated Industries of Massachusetts to match makers and sellers of protective equipment with companies that need it

• May 19, 2020 - Return to the Workplace Guide For Massachusetts Employers​​​ is a new 80-page guide is now available for download The guide is consistent with the phased re-opening of the Massachusetts economy and accompanying safety standards announced yesterday by Governor Baker. The guide is a collaboration among AIM, AIM HR Solutions and A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Company and is offered free of charge. Click here to download.

• May 18, 2020 - Gov. Charlie Baker announces coronavirus reopening plan for Massachusetts

• May 15, 2020 - AIM COVID-19 Update for Employers. The federal government issues guidance about the steps manufacturing companies need to take to protect their workforces. US workers file three million new unemployment claims. And Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts suffer the highest unemployment rates in the commonwealth. Read more...

• May 13, 2020 - Extension of Limited Safe Harbor with Respect to Certification Concerning Need for PPP Loan Request\

• SBA is providing coronavirus recovery materials in languages other than English to help business owners recover

• May 05, 2020 - Important Update!!  If you entered an application for EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) and have a confirmation number starting with a “2", you probably used an older application version. If you have not already done so, please go back into the SBA application and use the streamlined version (link below) to receive a confirmation number the starts with a “3” (even though it says “agricultural” on the application still re-apply). To resubmit your information, go to https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/. SBA will match your two applications and keep your application in the queue. Please contact the local MSBDC office to make an appointment with your advisor, or be assigned to an advisor, to help you with the streamlined application.

• May 04, 2020 - SBA to Make Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to U.S. Agricultural Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

• Apr 28, 2020 - Gov. Baker continues stay-at-home advisory and closure of nonessential businesses until May 18.

• Apr 25, 2020 - Downtown Stories: Info from the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (view accompanying video by clicking here)

• Apr 24, 2020 - Joint Statement by SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin on the Resumption of the Paycheck Protection Program...The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower.

• Apr 20, 2020 - Baker-Polito Administration Announces Implementation Of CARES Act Unemployment Benefits For Self-Employed, Gig Economy And Other Workers

• Apr 17, 2020 - PPP Program Is Out of Funds — But Firms Should Keep Applying

• Apr 17, 2020 - SBA Debt Relief Program - As part of SBA's debt relief efforts, under section 1112 of the CARES Act... The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and certain 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. A procedural notice by the SBA has full guidance:

• Apr 10, 2020 - Federally-Backed & Local Loans Aim to Support Small Business in Crisis

• Apr 01, 2020 - Govenor Baker continues stay-at-home advisory and closure of nonessential businesses until May 4

• Mar 31, 2020 - With $349 Billion in Emergency Small Business Capital Cleared, SBA and Treasury Begin Unprecedented Public-Private Mobilization Effort to Distribute Funds

• Mar 31, 2020 - A Fresh Look at Small and Medium Enterprise Exports to China

• Mar 30, 2020 - Department of Labor Outlines Small-Business Exemption from Coronavirus Paid Leave Law

• Mar 30, 2020 - Find kindness in the coronavirus chaos

• Mar 30, 2020 - Small businesses are encouraged to apply for the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and then request an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 disaster and funds will be made available within three days and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. Subject to eligibility. Click here for the streamlined process requirements.

• Mar 30, 2020 - Senate Small Business Committee - Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses (pdf)

• Mar 27, 2020 - SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Small Businesses in Berkshire, Hampden, and Worcester Counties in Mass. Impacted by the Coronavirus (video)

• Mar 27, 2020 - The Senate Small Business Committee and the White House releases a Guide to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• Mar 27, 2019 - U.S. Department Of Labor Publishes More Guidance for Workers and Employers Explaining Paid Sick Leave, Expanded Family and Medical Leave Benefits

• Mar 27, 2019 - Massachusetts Announces State Income Tax Filing Deadline Being Extended to July 15, 2020 to be consistent with the federal government.

• Mar 26, 2020 - Department of Labor - Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements

• Mar 26, 2020 - BREAKING: SBA Express Bridge Loans now available in response to COVID-19

• Mar 24, 2020 - SBA - Here to Help Businesses

• Mar 24, 2020 - Small Businesses Already Feeling Huge Drop in Demand Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), New Study Shows

• Mar 24, 2020 - SBA loans leave financing gap for COVID-battered businesses

• Mar 23, 2020 - Federal bill would give $300B for small business loans

• Mar 23, 2020 - Gov. Baker orders Department of Public Health to issue 'stay-at-home advisory,' effective Tuesday

• Mar 21, 2020 - Treasury Department and IRS Announce Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020

• Mar 20, 2020 - City offers $10K grants to Worcester businesses amid coronavirus impact

• Mar 19, 2020 - Mass. Small Businesses Getting Creative With Ways to Stay Afloat

• Mar 18, 2020 - Emergency micro-loans offered for Central Mass. small businesses

• Mar 18, 2020 - SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Massachusetts Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (web | English pdf | Spanish pdf)

• Mar 18, 2020 - Fact sheet on the Economic Injury Disaster Loans available for Massachusetts (pdf)

• Mar 18, 2020 - State, Federal Governments Address Economic Fallout from COVID-19

• Mar 17, 2020 - SBA Updates Criteria on States for Requesting Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus

• Mar 17, 2020 - SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus (English | Spanish) pdf

• Mar 12, 2020 - SBA To Provide Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans

• Jan 16, 2020 - Fashion’s afoot .... in Fairhaven? Town man becoming known as trendy women’s shoe designer

• Oct 27, 2019 - Partnership aims to get seed capital into hands of business owners of color

• Oct 07, 2019 - Pittsfield After GE: Mosaic Of Businesses, But Short On Trained Workers

• Jul 26, 2019 - SBDC Featured On Newest iBerkshiresTV

• Jun 19, 2019 - Local businesses learn how to connect to global market

• May 31, 2019 - Giving Small Businesses an Edge

• May 31, 2019 - Suffolk University announces free business courses

• May 13, 2019 - Small-business workshop offers 'sage advice' from Pittsfield entrepreneurs

• May 2, 2019 - Renee King Diaz Named Young Entrepreneur of the Year (pdf)

• May 1, 2019 - Lenox Fit owner's sweat equity earns U.S. Small Business Administration honor

• Apr 29, 2019 - Suzanne Merritt Named Woman Small Business Owner of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 23, 2019 - MSBDC Government Sales Advisory Program Receives SBDC Service Center Excellence and Innovation Award (pdf)

• Apr 22, 2019 - Optim LLC named Exporter of the Year - STEP grants helped open doors to international trade shows and key markets (pdf)

• Apr 19, 2019 - El Huipil Named Minority Owned Business of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 18, 2019 - Broco Oil Named Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 16, 2019 - Warrior Runners Named Home-based Business of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 11, 2019 - Paula Murphy speaks with Carl Brown on the Small Business Report (audio clip)

• Apr 03, 2019 - Maynard family grows restaurant business

• Apr 00, 2019 - Local Makers: Made in Our Region (pdf)

• Mar 15, 2019 - International buyers find ‘world-renowned seafood’ in New Bedford

• Mar 14, 2019 - Massachusetts Announces Almost $700,000 in Trade Expansion Grants

• Mar 03, 2019 - Program gives local small businesses insights, chance to grow

• Jan 02, 2019 - State Matters Episode 35: Business (video)

• Jan 00, 2019 - Klara's Kitchen Getting Bigger: Cookie capacity rising with new production facility (pdf - page 1)

• Jan 00, 2019 - Vegan eatery opening in Pittsfield: Thrive (pdf - page 1)

• Dec 07, 2018 - State Crafting Plan For Unique Issues of Rural Towns

• Nov 23, 2018 - Legislators, officials visit Plymouth businesses to support small businesses

• Sep 20, 2018 - SBA Touts Small Business Success Stories of The Berkshires

• Sep 14, 2018 - Learning to fund for yourself: Entrepreneur Kaitlyn Pierce needed funding to develop an idea.

• Aug 21, 2018 - Place of worship transformed into place of learning on Dalton Ave. in Pittsfield

• Jul 09, 2018 - Woman-Owned Businesses Navigating the SBA Resource Partner Network for Success!

• Jun 22, 2018 - As Fall River becomes more diverse, so do business owners

• May 17, 2018 - Flexo Concepts awarded 2018 Exporter of the Year

• Apr 27, 2018 - SBDC Southeast Regional Office, University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management Honored with Massachusetts and New England SBDC Service Center Excellence and Innovation Award

• Apr 25, 2018 - Simply Grace LLC Named Microenterprise Business of the Year

• Apr 02, 2018 - Bay State Entrepreneurs Honored in Celebration of National Small Business Week

• Apr 02, 2018 - The MSBDC’s Allen Kronick Is Helping to Build the Next Generation of Businesses Leaders (audio clip, 26:33 mins)

• Apr 02, 2018 - Workshop held at STCC for local entrepreneurs

• Mar 11, 2018 - Richard S. Cheney, regional director, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center

• Mar 06, 2018 - Committee focusing on state exports

• Feb 13, 2018 - Small Business Development Center Network helps Western Mass. business grow

• Jan 00, 2018 - The multiplier effect of local shopping - Cape Cod Beer

• Dec 24, 2017 - Central Mass. entrepreneurs use franchises to speed business launch

• Dec 18, 2017 - Biz Briefs: Berkshires-Based Pungl Ready to Expand Nationwide

• Dec 15, 2017 - Applications being accepted for Berkshares Inc.'s Entry to Entrepreneurship youth business program

• Oct 02, 2017 - Meet Dawn Dreisbach of Dreisbach Special Education Services in Metrowest

• Sep 14, 2017 - SBA Honors Red Apple Butchers And Yummy Treasures

• Jul 19, 2017 - Small Business Innovation Breakfast: Government Funding for Emerging Technologies

• Jun 01, 2017 - Interview with Paula Murphy of the Massachusetts Export Center (47 mins)

• Apr 26, 2017 - Darmann Abrasive Products Awarded Small Business Manufacturer of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 25, 2017 - McLane Research Labs Awarded as a Top Small Business Exporter

• Apr 24, 2017 - Camio Custom Cabinetry Awarded Family-Owned Business of the Year for Massachusetts and New England

• Apr 21, 2017 - Massachusetts Export Center Honored with Massachusetts and New England SBDC Service Center Excellence and Innovation Award (pdf)

• Apr 21, 2017 - Yummy Treasures Awarded Microenterprise of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 21, 2017 - McLane Research Laboratories Inc. Awarded Exporter of the Year (pdf)

• Apr 16, 2017 - Darmann Abrasive makes materials that smooth the way for others (Darmann Abrasives is the winner of the SBA 2017 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year)

• Mar 30, 2017 - Massachusetts Entrepreneurs Honored as Part of National Small Business Week

• Mar 30, 2017 - Brexit could hit Boston export industry hard, expert says

• Mar 01, 2017 - Thousands to Celebrate #SBDCDay