The Commonwealth has allocated over $50 million in grants for small businesses that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. The application period will be open for three (3) weeks starting October 22, 2020 and closing November 12, 2020 at 12:00 pm. Each program encompasses its own eligibility criteria, set forth by the MGCC. Applicants must review the information to determine which program to proceed with applying. For more information please visit the website below:
Preference will be given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, members of other underrepresented groups, who are focused on serving the Gateway Cities, which includes the City of Springfield, and those most negatively impacted by the pandemic.
Mayor Sarno stated, “My administration is committed to helping our business community, especially our small businesses who have been adversely impacted by this COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. Again, I am very thankful to Governor Charlie Baker and the Baker-Polito Administration for their continued efforts to help out our businesses, they’ve been a great partner to me and our City. This state grant program will help those businesses who are eligible during these challenging and surreal times. The City of Springfield has already put forth over $1.5 million in Prime the Pump grant funding to small businesses, restaurants and non-profits, and $2 million in mortgage, rent and utility assistance and relief for our residents. This state grant program will provide much needed relief for our local small businesses as we continue to work together to defeat this virus.”
CDO Sheehan said, “These dollars are critical to these businesses as a bridge during this time of uncertainty. I am happy to see the Commonwealth being able to provide these grants, not loans for our small businesses.”
Small businesses seeking assistance with this grant program can contact the City of Springfield’s Office of Planning and Economic Development for guidance at (413) 787-6020.
MGCC is a component unit of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts formed on October 1, 2010, under Chapter 40W of the Massachusetts General Laws. Chapter 40W effectively merged two pre-existing entities, Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation (CDFC) and Economic Stabilization Trust Fund (EST). The purpose of the legislation was to expand upon the success and mission of the predecessor entities and to re-capitalize to form MGCC.