Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape |
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Inside Scoop - September 2020 |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
September has arrived. This fall, like the rest of 2020, is unlike any other year. Please remember, no matter what your business needs help with, CDP staff is available to help you plan and prepare for the uncertain times ahead.
Just last week, we set up a new calendar app providing a faster, easier way to schedule an appointment with us. The links are in the CDP Business Assistance flyer below.
What you will find in September's Inside Scoop:
- CDBG CV-19 Forgivable Loan Program Update!
- COVID- 19 Updated Travel Order
- Cape Cod Resilience Fund opens second round of grants
- 5 Steps to Protect Your Businesses against COVID-19 Lawsuits
- My LOCAL MA
- CDP Business Assistance staff is here to help. - Make your appointment online NOW.
- WE CAN/CDP fall GROW Group Information Sessions in September
- WE CAN/CDP free individual business legal consults
- MA Health Connector - Information workshop
As always, if there is business topic that comes up for which you need more information or assistance, please email or call. CDP staff will help find resources to answer your questions.
Pam
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COVID-19 MicroEnterprise Forgivable Loan Program
Coming in September, the CDP will be offering a forgivable loan program for small businesses in the 8 Lower and Outer Cape towns. This Micro-enterprise Relief Program (MRP) is designed to assist businesses with 5 or fewer employees (including the owner(s)) that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide one-time forgivable loans up to $10,000 for business owners who need financial assistance to support business operational costs in order to keep the business sustainable. Funds must be used within six months of award. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Funding will be awarded based on a first come, first eligible, completed application basis, subject to the availability of funding.
Eligibility Criteria Include:
- Business must have 5 or fewer employees including owner(s) at time of application.
- Business owner(s) must meet the Low to Moderate Income criteria (check out the pre-application, you might be surprised at the income requirements)
- Business must have started their for-profit operations prior to 1/1/2019
- Must demonstrate a COVID related loss
To help you stay informed, we have developed a pre-application for businesses that are interested in this program. We will email the full application to anyone who has filled out a pre-application, and advertise the program across the region. We anticipate that full application to be ready within a week.
What should you do now?
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If you have not already, fill out the pre-application. If you have already submitted a pre-application, you will receive a separate email to let you know what documents to prepare.
- Get your documents ready! What do you need?
- 2019 Business & Personal Tax returns (if you are on extension, your 2018 returns are acceptable)
- Get your income and expenses put together for 2020 by month, if you can. These are needed to demonstrate your COVID-19 losses.
If you need help getting these documents put together, please ask for help. Who can help? Bookkeeper, accountant, family member, friend, CDP Staff.
Call Pam (508)240-7873 x18 or email today if we can help you get prepared.
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Cape Cod Resilience Fund
Applications Accepted through September 19 at Noon
THE SECOND ROUND APPLICATION IS OPEN UNTIL
SATURDAY, SEPT 19 AT NOON
The Cape Cod Resilience Fund will provide direct grants to small business owners on Cape Cod to offer relief from economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Small businesses are the cornerstone, the backbone, the heartbeat of any vibrant community and Cape Cod is no exception - the long-term economic sustainability of our region is tied to the fate of our small businesses.
APPLICATIONS OPEN MONDAY, SEPT 14 and CLOSE SATURDAY, SEPT 19 at NOON
Eligible businesses will have 1-20 full-time year-round employees (this includes owners). Grants to be issued to eligible businesses to supplement day-to-day operational expenses such as rent, staff, supplies, inventory, marketing and training.
Preference will be given to year-round, community minded, brick and mortar businesses located in a downtown area. They must be an existing business headquartered in Barnstable County founded prior to March 18, 2020, and their business must have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Businesses that applied in the first round do not need to reapply - we have kept their applications on file.
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COVID-19 Travel Order Update |
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Governor Baker announced that effective August 1st, all travelers entering Massachusetts—both out of state residents and Massachusetts residents returning home—must comply with a new travel order. This includes students returning to campuses for the fall semester.
The new travel order requires all visitors and returning residents to fill out a Massachusetts Traveler Form unless they are coming from a state that has been designated a lower risk COVID-19 state or fall into an exemption category. Currently, the lower risk COVID-19 states are CO, CT, ME, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, VT, WA, and WY. All lodging and short term rental entities are required to inform guests at time of booking, on websites and on-site. All lower risk states will be updated regularly by DPH.
Click here to read the full details and updates of this travel order.
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5 Steps to Protect Your Business against COVID-19 Lawsuits
CDC's Business Assistance Providers across the state have been meeting weekly throughout the Pandemic to share resources and provide access to a greater range of materials and information to help our local clients. JPNDC worked with Northeastern University School of Law to develop a document to help small business owners to limit COVID-19 related liability. Here are 5 steps to help businesses protect themselves.
2) Communicate with your customers
3) Follow all government and industry guidelines
4) Check your insurance coverage and legal entity
- Call your insurance company and ask: "Does my liability insurance cover a COVID-19 claim?
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If you get sued and need help finding an attorney schedule a CALL.
5) Consider a liability waiver
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Help Us Spread the Word! Here's how you can help:
1. Hang the flyer in your business:
2. Use the logo on social media and on your websites
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3. Use the #mylocalma and #maskupma hashtags
on social media posts
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The CDP is now offering Office Hours and QuickBooks help using remote tools.
What can we do?
Help you get your record keeping up to date.
Update your business plan
Help you fill out a disaster relief loan application.
Answer questions and provide resources.
Select a link below to make an appointment.
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GROW Information Sessions
WE CAN and the CDP will again offer the GROW (Get Results with Others' Wisdom) program this fall. This program for women business owners offers facilitated peer mentoring, accountability, and a safe and confidential setting to work on adapting, stabilizing and/or growing your business in this new economy. The GROW program is facilitated by experienced business owners.
The GROW program will start in November and sessions will be held monthly for 6 months. To apply for the program visit WE CAN. Application deadline is October 14th.
If you want to learn more, come to one of our zoom info session:
Monday September 21 at 9:00 am
Tuesday September 29 at 5:30 pm
Tuesday October 6 at 9:00 am
The CDP can provide Technical Assistance if you have not used Zoom before.
The GROW program is facilitated by WE CAN volunteers Virginia Auciello Sullivan and Jean Mojo. Virginia is the President of Auciello Associates, a trainer for Non- Profit Management, a Certified Professional Coach, and has devoted her career to fostering individual growth and development for her clients. Jean is an experienced leader of brands and agencies, with a background in advertising and integrated marketing. She was the President and CEO of Einson Freeman for 21 years, and has been an adjunct professor at both Boston College and Cape Cod Community College.
Please register for the information sessions by calling WE CAN at 508-430-8111 or email Marina Mendoza or click the link below.
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Recently lost health insurance from your job? Know your options
When: Thursday, September 17, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar
This webinar is an opportunity to review the basics about how to apply, enroll and get health insurance coverage through the Health Connector.
The presentation will cover:
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General information about the state’s Health Connector and the types of coverage available through MAhealthconnector.org
- Rules around choosing Health Connector plans as an alternative to COBRA
- Tips when applying for coverage, including choosing a plan and enrolling
- How to get free help with this process
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Upcoming Workshops
Click button below for details about our fall programming.
Plan B - Oct
QuickBooks Online - Oct
Digital Pivot - Oct 15, 22, & 29
Cape & Islands Green - November 12
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Loans
The CDP has micro loans up to $50,000 for small businesses on the Lower Cape. Visit our website for complete program details and eligibility requirements.
We are able to lend to businesses that have a limited credit history, are too new to obtain a bank loan or that need help developing a business plan or cash flow projections. We even work with local banks offering loan packaging to potential applicants.
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The CDP offers Individual Business Guidance in a number of ways.
How can we help your business?
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Individual Business Guidance
Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner, and live or work on the Lower Cape?
The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses.
What are your business needs?
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Professional Services Grants Still Available for 2020.
Many businesses are finding the need to change their business model in these turbulent times. The CDP has Grant Funds available to help business owners hire specialized consultants to quickly implement these changes whether in technology, legal or marketing.
Make an appointment to learn more and to help stabilize or grow your business.
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Individual Mentoring through SCORE
SCORE offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape. Due to COVID19 all SCORE Mentoring Session are currently being help remotely. Please register with SCORE using the link below.
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The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: |
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Mass Growth Capital Corporation
USDA Rural Business Development Grant
Cape Air
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
TD Charitable Foundation
Santander Bank
Seamen's Bank Long Point Charitable Foundation
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. |
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