WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.

“The SBA’s new streamlined application portal will simplify forgiveness for millions of our smallest businesses -- including many sole proprietors -- who used funds from our Paycheck Protection Program loans to survive the pandemic,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “The vast majority of businesses waiting for forgiveness have loans under $150,000. These entrepreneurs are busy running their businesses and are challenged by an overly complicated forgiveness process. We need to deliver forgiveness more efficiently so they can get back to enlivening our Main Streets, sustaining our neighborhoods and fueling our nation’s economy.”

Join us on August 16th for our annual Golf Outing! There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available to showcase your business. Get a foursome together and join us for day on the course, followed by a luncheon banquet and awards ceremony.

August 16 – 20 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. each day

Monday: General Job Fair (all industries)

Tuesday: Manufacturing, Professional Services, Finance

Wednesday: Healthcare, Hospitality, Education

Thursday: General Job Fair (all industries)

Friday: Information Technology, Building Services, and other

 How does a virtual job fair work?

Last Saturday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released updated guidance regarding the use of face coverings and cloth masks by individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

 

This week, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance that continues to state that individuals who are fully vaccinated may, as a general matter, resume many of the activities that they engaged in prior to the pandemic without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart, except where otherwise required by federal, state, or local laws, rules or regulations. In response to the recent spread of the Delta variant, however, the CDC’s updated guidance does recommend that even fully vaccinated persons wear masks or face coverings when indoors if other risk factors are present.

 

In light of the information provided by the CDC, and in order to maximize protection of vulnerable individuals from the Delta variant, the Department of Public Health released updated guidance that recommends that a fully vaccinated person wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if: 

·  You have a weakened immune system 

·  You are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition 

·  Someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated 

 

The Baker-Polito Administration released the Future of Work Report, commissioned by the Administration to evaluate the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed work habits in Massachusetts as the Commonwealth emerges from the pandemic. The Administration also outlined steps that it is taking to address the key findings of the report, with investments and other initiatives to boost housing production and downtown economies, connect workers with skills for high-demand fields, support changing transportation needs, promote flexibility in child care, and more. Click here to read the report. 

Get your message out to more than 1,500 email addresses for just $25. Contact Tom O'Rourke at tom@nrrchamber.com

Looking to recruit top talent?

One of the best benefits you can offer is a 401(k). 

The Chamber's 401(k) program allows you to offer this attractive benefit to your employees with lower costs, less administrative burden and simple plan choices.

 

To learn more about the program you can watch our brief introductory video below from Brian Williams of Northshire Consulting or click here.