Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape |
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Inside Scoop - October 2021 |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
I can't believe that fall is upon us. How did your summer go? Do you need assistance reviewing the summer and making plans for the off-season and beyond? If so, please make an appointment to discuss your next steps, develop a plan and help identify resources.
I have included resources to help you grow or stabilize and learn about topics important to your business.
October's Inside Scoop:
- Tricia Murray Joins CDP
- QuickBooks for Desktop Workshop starts October 27
- Challenges of COVID in the Workplace: A Guide for Employers starts November 2
- Social Media Marketing Webinar starts November 11
- MGCC Small Business Grant Programs
- SBA Supplemental Shuttered Venue Operators Grants
- SBA EIDL Enhancements
- SBA PPP Forgiveness Portal
- Cape Cod SCORE Webinars
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Getting Your Business Online offered by the Cape Cod Technology Council starts October 26
- QuickBooks Help
- CDP Business Assistance staff is here to help - Make an appointment now
- Center for Corporate and Professional Education workshops
- Do you need a microloan?
As always, if there is a 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.
Stay Safe & Well!
Pam & Tricia
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The CDP is Growing!
Welcome Tricia
Last month, the CDP welcomed Tricia Murray as our new Manager of Business & Credit Programs
Tricia earned an Accounting degree from Boston College and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. After many years practicing law, she joined the List Visual Arts Center, MIT’s contemporary art gallery, as a Visitor Services Representative. She moved to the Lower Cape in 2018 and worked for two years with Winstead Inn & Beach Resort, most recently as the interim General Manager.
Tricia brings her strong advocacy, communication, and customer relations skills to her role as Manager of Business & Credit Programs. She is excited to coordinate the planning, administration, and implementation of CDP business initiatives and lending programs. When not working, she enjoys taking advantage of Cape Cod’s natural beauty by hiking, biking, and paddleboarding. Tricia is also a legal services volunteer with WE CAN.
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Social Media Marketing Webinar on November 11th
10:00 - 12:00
Join WE CAN volunteer Shayna Ferullo to learn how to use Instagram and Facebook for business.
Plan and optimize social media to market your brand, grow your followers and reach potential customers.
Topics include:
- Creating an effective profile
- Tools and uses within each platform
- Trends
- Content planning
- Posting strategies
- Photography tips
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Two Grant Programs
for Small Business Owners
Prospective applicants need to directly partner with an organization from MGCC’s network of Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) providers who will serve as a sponsor to eligible small businesses.
The CDP is an approved SBTA provider and sponsor.
Please read more about both programs below and follow the links. If you determine that either of these programs is a fit for your business, please contact pam@capecdp.org or call 508-240-7873 x18.
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Crowd Funding Matching Grant
MGCC is partnering with a crowdfunding platform, Patronicity, to assist low to moderate-income and underserved entrepreneurs, and small business owners with meeting capital needs of their business through matching grants. The objective of the BIZ-M-POWER grant is to provide entrepreneurs with new knowledge and skills for growing their business and advancing toward innovative approaches to obtaining capital through the earned support of local residents, neighborhoods, community members, and stakeholders alike by raising funding to match the amount requested in their grant application. Eligible MA-based small businesses that have been nominated by MGCC’s SBTA providers may be funded up to $20,000.
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Digital Capacity Building Grant Program
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) launched its Grant Program for the Development of Digital Capabilities on June 15, 2021. With our support, this grant program can potentially provide funding (up to $5k) for tools and services to develop digital capabilities for your small business. MGCC will make these funds available for eligible businesses until funding is fully disbursed.
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Current SBA COVID Relief Programs |
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The supplemental award period remains open, and SBA continues sending supplemental invitations to eligible SVOG awardees. Applicants can choose to apply for any amount up to 50% of their original SVOG amount, with a $10 million cap of the initial and supplemental awards combined, according to the law. The supplemental awards also allow SVOG recipients to extend the time to use their grant funds for expenses accrued through June 30, 2022 and lengthen their budget period to 18 months from the initial grant’s award date.
For additional information on SBA’s Economic Relief programs, visit COVID-19 relief options. Further, the SBA’s resource partners, including SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers, are available to provide entities with individual guidance on their applications.
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On September 9, 2021, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the following major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
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Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap. The SBA will lift the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.
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Additional funds for EIDL recipients. Recipients of EIDL funds can apply for an increase up to the amount the borrower qualifies or the $2,000,000 cap, whichever is lower. The amount of loan increase that you are eligible for is determined by the loan amount that you would be eligible for if you applied today minus the loan (including any increases) that you have already received. You may apply for an additional increase even if you have already applied for and received previous loan increase.
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Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period. The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.
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Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds. COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.
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Simplification of affiliation requirements. To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
To learn about eligibility and application requirements and how to apply, visit sba.gov/eidl. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All eligible applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.
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Paycheck Protection Program borrowers:
If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below.
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Find out if your lender is participating.
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Watch a video about how to use the portal.
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Apply for forgiveness.
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SCORE Small Business Live Webinars
Tuesday 11/2
Tuesday 11/16
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QuickBooks Help tailored to your needs!
Did you struggle putting your records together to give your accountant?
Do you use QuickBooks but need to learn how it can do a better job for you and provide you with the information you need when you need it?
CDP Staff offers QuickBooks help. Follow the link below and schedule an appointment to get your business on track.
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The Cape Cod Technology Council is running a six-part series Getting Your Business Online this fall. Are you struggling or want to up your game advertising online through the web, email, or social media? The Cape Cod Technology Council received a grant for this program and there is no cost to participants. Program begins October 26th.
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QuickBooks for Desktop
This 3 session zoom workshop will introduce the software, show how it can improve your record keeping and prepare you to make faster business decisions.
Join the CDP, SCORE and instructor Megan Terrio, CPA
10 am to 11:30
October 27
November 3
November 10
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Challenges of COVID in the Workplace: A Guide for Employers
This 3 session zoom workshop will introduce the software, show how it can improve your record keeping and prepare you to make faster business decisions.
Join the CDP, and instructor Karyn Rhodes, Complete Payroll
11 am to Noon
November 2
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Need a microloan?
The CDP has microloans 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 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 2021.
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
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
Rockland Trust
Santander Bank
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. |
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