Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) has continued to offer programs that connect and keep us learning and growing as a community. In 2021, GNCC will again offer virtual events, and remain nimble and adaptable to the needs and changes the community experiences over the next 12 months by announcing new events as they are scheduled.

Link/Learn: Understanding the Second Wave of Stimulus with Adam Duso of Second Wind Consultants

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Zoom

A presentation of best practices in preparing for debt forgiveness with the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Arrive@5: Public Health and Smart Business, Sponsored by Florence Bank

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Zoom

This virtual, networking event features 60 minutes of breakout rooms plus Community Leader, Joanne Marqusee, President and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Health Care, who will provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine distribution in Hampshire County.

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the Downtown Northampton Association (DNA) will partner with local sustainable agriculture and food systems organization, Grow Food Northampton, to launch “Feeding the Frontlines – Nourishing Our Community,” an effort to deliver meals prepared by local restaurants to individuals and families experiencing increased food insecurity during the pandemic.

Earlier in the pandemic, the DNA worked with downtown Northampton restaurants on a Feeding the Frontlines project to get meals to healthcare workers in hospitals battling COVID-19. More recently, the DNA’s Executive Director, Amy Cahillane, was inspired to use this model to get restaurant meals to members of the Northampton community experiencing food insecurity, as well. “Knowing that Grow Food Northampton has, since the start of the pandemic, conducted the Community Food Distribution Project (CFDP) to deliver fresh produce and other foods to people experiencing food insecurity made me think, ‘this could be a beautiful partnership!’ We can support our local restaurants by purchasing their meals and work with Grow Food Northampton to get them to the people who need them the most,” stated Cahillane.

The project will start small today with 24 meals prepared by Jake’s restaurant that will be delivered to CFDP participants living at Florence Heights and the Lumber Yard.

“Recipients can expect a delicious meatloaf, garlic green beans, and smoked gouda mac and cheese meal prepared with love,” says Cahillane. Other restaurants participating in the program include Belly of the Beast, Fitzwilly's, India House, La Veracruzana, Local Burgers & Fries, Miss Florence Diner, Paul & Elizabeth's, Progression Brewing Company, and The Roost. Additional Northampton restaurants will join in in the coming weeks. Meals will be delivered, along with the usual produce and foods, on a rotating basis to all of the 13 locations currently served by the CFDP.

MassHire Frankin Hampshire Workforce Board (Mass Hire FHWB) is seeking "a few good firms" to recognize as Workforce Development Leaders in the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin area.

The MassHire FHWB looks for some of the following characteristics when selecting companies:

Fill out the form linked below to nominate a company! Just write a few lines in the space provided about the company and why you think they deserve recognition as a Workforce Development Leader. Include your phone number so we can call you for more information. FHWB committee members will take it from there!

The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) is a Massachusetts state program where SNAP recipients get at least $40 of extra SNAP money every month to spend on local fruits and vegetables. That means if you have SNAP, you automatically have HIP!

Shop at these farm locations with your SNAP/EBT card, and get at least $40 extra to spend through the HIP program. See open HIP locations for 2021.

The Small Business Administration recently released new guidance governing the reopening of the Paycheck Protection Program. This guidance comes in the form of an Interim Final Rule, Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans, and Guidance on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-Owned Business Concerns.

Several key program changes include:

As with prior implementations of PPP, businesses can apply for a forgivable loan via SBA lenders and should speak to their lender to discuss an application. Effective Monday, January 11, 2021, community lenders (community development financial institutions, minority depository institutions, certified development companies, and microloan intermediaries, more here) are able to offer PPP loans to applicants that have not yet received a loan; on January 13, 2021, these lenders will be able to offer loans to “Second Draw” applicants. All lenders will be authorized to offer the program shortly; the date has not yet been announced. For additional information on PPP, forms and other information, visit www.sba.gov/ppp. 

To help you navigate the second wave of stimulus and debt forgiveness, the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) will offer a 90-minute Link/Learn education session with Adam Duso of Second Wind Consultants who will present best practices for understanding the PPP. Learn more and register for this free program on GNCC's 2021 Event Page.

Last week, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Polito, and Secretary Mike Kennealy made an announcement related to the extension of temporary restrictions for businesses. The capacity limits and gathering restrictions announced in December (and slated to expire on January 10th) will be extended until at least January 24th. Please see mass.gov/reopening for additional details regarding this extension.

Cooley Dickinson Health Care has created a FAQ Page that answers basic questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, and contains links to many resources including federal, state and local government health departments, vaccine manufacturer websites and their parent organization, Mass General Brigham. Information about the vaccines is evolving and the page will be updated as new information becomes available.

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury released their official guidance on how the second round of PPP will work. The National Restaurant Association has distilled it into a “PPP User Manual”. The document can be found online here.

Last week, the Administration announced a $668 million business relief package to be administered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). The business relief package consists of two programs: (1) a recapitalization of the first small business relief program, which launched in October and (2) additional funding for businesses that fall into specific industry sectors. Please note the following:

On behalf of Mass Cultural Council (MCC) and our partners at MassDevelopment, we are pleased to share that the 2021 Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) grant round is open and applications are due on January 15, 2021, at 11:59 PM (ET).

GNCC Investors may submit employment opportunities here.

Free Webinar: Building a High-Performance Culture in Your Organization

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 2-3 p.m. ET

Register at bit.ly/smithBHC

“Culture eats strategy for lunch,” as management guru Peter Drucker famously said. But culture can be a strategic asset, too. This interactive webinar presents a practical, powerful framework for creating, assessing and strengthening your organizational culture. Working with real-world business examples and stories, you will explore how to:

SCORE Western Mass provides relevant and free workshops that you can register to attend here: Take a Workshop. There is no better time than now!

If you have any questions or are interested in viewing our library of prerecorded workshops, please email us.

CopyCat is excited to announce the 2021 Infinite Beauty wall calendar! Free to Greater Northampton Chamber Investors - email us at northampton@copycatink.com to reserve yours today! Desk calendars coming soon.

Preview a page here on Facebook or Instagram!

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded that the arts do what they do best: adapt. Produced by Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School, The Virtual Valley Multi-Arts Festival is an effort to celebrate the vibrant youth led arts scene in the Pioneer Valley. Join us Saturday, January 16, 2021, at 7:00 PM as we champion art in a time of great distance and change.

For more information, contact PVPA educator Emma Ayres at eayres@pvpa.org. Tickets may be purchased at the link below.

Looking to keep your holiday shopping local and support our small business community? Northampton.live is your ticket to all things happening right now in Northampton, including information on how your favorite shops, salons, restaurants, and coffee shops are operating during the pandemic. Keep it local, and stay informed with Northampton.live.