Thursday, February 18, 2021

12:00 - 1:00 PM

40-minute Zoom presentation and Q&A

All are welcome to a presentation of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce’s (GNCC’s) response to 2020 challenges in support of Northampton’s economy and community and an outlook on our plans for economic recovery in 2021. Presentation features Vince Jackson, Executive Director of the GNCC, Amy Cahillane, Executive Director of the Downtown Northampton Association (DNA), and Alan Wolf, Chief of Staff to Mayor David Narkewicz of the City of Northampton.

The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) is proud to announce 2021 Sponsorship Opportunities for our investors. Sponsorship packages are designed to help businesses and organizations grow and connect with community. Contact Jess Thompson, our Director of Investor and Community Engagement to discuss which sponsorship opportunities may help meet your goals.

Forbes Library now offers pick up and delivery services of library materials to residents of Northampton, Leeds and Florence. Residents of any age with an underlying health condition or illness and anyone aged 65+, regardless of health status, are eligible for this free service. Contactless deliveries are made within one week of request.

"We know how comforting people have found reading and viewing during this difficult time and we hope our new Pandemic Delivery Service makes access to library materials easier for people," said Lisa Downing, Forbes Library Director. In addition to delivery, library staff can also help pick out books and movies based on interest.

Visit ForbesLibrary.org/outreach to fill out a delivery or pick up request form for delivery or call 413-587-1012 for more information.

CopyCat is now offering customized hand sanitizers - one of many new products designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community. To view more products, visit their website.

Ski United

February 11, 2021 | Berkshire East

Join a day of fun and fundraising as you hit the slopes, hang out with friends (socially distanced, of course), and support United Way of Hampshire County. We already have a record number of sponsors for this year!

As of February 1, 2021, individuals eligible for Phase 2, Priority 1 (only individuals 75+ at this time) can register to receive a vaccine. While there is a single website with a map of some of the vaccination locations across the state, there is not yet a single portal to make an appointment. Instead, there are multiple online appointment booking portals. Currently, options for booking appointments are quite limited for folks who do not have internet access. Senator Jo Comerford and her team have compiled a list of vaccination sites in our district and region which you can see here.

Individuals with questions about how to get a vaccine should follow these steps:

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.

All participating SBA lenders are now authorized to make Paycheck Protection Program loans in line with new SBA guidance. Small businesses can use the Lender Look Up tool to connect with an eligible PPP lender. The Shuttered Venues Operators Grants Program is not yet accepting applications; however, eligible businesses can review the program guidance now available online. In addition, the SBA continues to offer debt relief. Businesses with existing SBA 7(a), microloan, and 504 loans should speak to their lender and review the new guidance regarding debt relief to learn how this may apply to their loans. In addition, borrowers who are approved for new 7(a), 504, and microloans (between February 2, 2021 and September 30, 2021) will be eligible for six months of eligible principal and interest payments.

The Equitable PPP Initiative offers multilingual technical assistance and lender matching for underbanked and historically underserved businesses, including businesses owned by women and people of color, seeking a PPP loan. Learn more.

As of January 2021, ten programs are being administered through the Community One Stop for Growth – one application door to access programs offered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, and MassDevelopment.

The Community One Stop for Growth represents a major shift in how the State and its partner agencies do business. Individuals are invited to apply for multiple funding sources through a single portal on a single timeline, so that the State can better understand and support your economic development goals and vision for your community.

Find webinars to help you navigate the Community One Stop for Growth application process here.

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO 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.

For additional details, see the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions.

On Monday, January 25, 2021, Mass Cultural Council (MCC) announced the availability of CIP Projects grants, which provide a 1-year grant to support cultural projects that benefit the public. In order to respond to the unique needs of the cultural sector during these challenging times, applicants can either apply for a project grant for public programming OR for an organizational investment. Unlike the CIP Portfolio or Gateway programs, these awards do not provide general operating support. (A cultural organization is not eligible for a Projects grant if it will receive Portfolio or Gateway funding in FY21.)

Projects grantees will receive a grant of either $1,000 or $2,500 to support a specific project. Applications are due on March 2, 2021 at 11:59pm (ET).

In response to COVID-19, we have made some key changes to the program for FY21. Please read the program guidelines, register for the information session, and/or attend office hours for more information.

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has opened the Travel and Tourism Recovery Grant Program. This $1M program is dedicated to marketing projects that support the My Local MA campaign, enhance tourism recovery, and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.

This competitive funding grant opened on January 22, 2021, with applications due on February 15, 2021. Interested parties should read the RFR and submit an application. Awards will be announced in March.

Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program is hiring a full-time Marketing & Development Assistant. The Marketing & Development Assistant will provide support, take initiative, solve problems, and get things done! Snow Farm successfully opened for workshops during the challenges of 2020; the Marketing & Development Assistant will play an important role in helping Snow Farm resume its growth trajectory. Learn more.

GNCC Investors may submit employment opportunities here or through the Member Portal.

Mass Cultural Council (MCC) is excited to launch the Recover, Rebuild, Renew Series, part of the Agency’s FY21 service agenda. This series includes 40+ webinars and countless hours of one-on-one consulting to help the cultural sector begin to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is free and open to all cultural organizations across the Commonwealth, regardless of their funding relationship with the Agency.

The topics covered in the Recover, Rebuild, Renew Series are informed by our conversations with cultural organizations about their operations during the pandemic, and include:

The first workshop is February 2, 2021. Two workshops will be offered weekly through June 29, 2021. Read more.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 12:00 - 1:30 PM

A free, 90-minute webinar to support civic and faith-based organizations, libraries, schools, businesses, and other community groups and individuals to better understand the impact of trauma and how to address it.

For more information, contact Ruth Ever, MPH, staff/consultant with Trauma Informed Hampshire County Network, a network responding to adverse childhood experiences by building resilience at HampshireTIHC@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Zoom

This virtual, networking event features 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. Plus, you'll enjoy 60 minutes in breakout rooms for small group networking and fun!

A Workshop & Peer Group Session designed for those who are ready to claim their financial worth and build an empowered future! Led by Jessi Kirley and Amy Jamrog.

On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Congressman James P. McGovern and co-hosts, Senator Jo Comerford, and Representative Mindy Domb will present a webinar for Institutional leaders, Project Managers and Diversity Offices for regional institutions that engage in construction work – colleges, universities, hospitals, medical facilities, municipalities, museums, CDCs & private developers.

For questions about this event, contact Lisa Clauson at lclauson@nasclmp or 413-206-5571.

The Downtown Northampton Association (DNA) is declaring February "LOVE LOCAL" month for Downtown Northampton!

Join us in this month-long celebration by showing your love for small business, your love for local and your love for our community. You could even find yourself celebrating with an extra $100 in your pocket to spend at your favorite downtown business!

Looking to keep your 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.