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INFORMATIONAL GUIDE DURING CORONAVIRUS

Resources for Businesses

To be alerted to small business opportunities, sign up to the mailing list of nonprofit LISC and their Small Business Services:  https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/.
There is a LISC Small Business Rural Relief Grant that is now closed, but you can sign up to be alerted for when it re-opens. Email smallbusinessservices@lisc.org if you have questions.

Returning to the Workplace Safely Guide-A Resource for Employers

Navigating the Payroll Protection Act resource from Eagle Bay Advisors

Small Business Survival Guide to Combat COVID-19 from Fin Impact

Update from Finance Committee [Please note that the information below may no longer be current-it is kept here as a record of past activity]

There is a US Chamber of Commerce webinar that happens every Friday at noon ET.  You will have to download an app for Microsoft Meeting so you may want to do that on your phone an hour before, you can register at:

https://events.inc.com/nationaltownhallevents-4/524150?cid=cem%3A633%3As00%3ATownhall4_incemail

LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Program for Massachusetts [APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED]
Deadline was April 24.
https://www.lisc.org/boston/covid-19/small-business-recovery-grant-program/

EIDL loans: you can queue with the SBA to request progress  on your application:

disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

If you filed March 30th or later, most of us in our area have not heard any response from SBA about EIDL application. Two Lenox businesses did get their SBA loans approved who filed around March 15 and completed the 4 forms.

We are waiting for the federal government to resupply the EIDL program as funds are low to gone.

Payroll Protection Program: PPP (see above update, as well)

Funds seem low or gone with this program today.

Those of us that did file a few weeks ago got confirmations from our banks about funds for PPP that may be in their system this next week.

The conf call I was on today suggested that EIDL funds not used for payroll would not be subtracted from PPP forgiven payments; but that still is cloudy with the process.

If you are a sole proprietor or single member LLC and took no 2019 payroll, you can still apply for PPP using your 2019 IRS Schedule C for your business. Banks are treating this application somewhat differently so talk to your bank manager.

Info on the CARE BillProtection for Small Businesses-Guide from SafeHome.org

Learn more about how the program works and how to apply at the Small Business Administration.

Payroll Protection Program

Local Finance Consultant offering
assistance at no charge.

For SBA application questions – Oren Cass, orencass@gmail.com

Loans will be handled by banks that lend to small businesses, so get in touch with your current lender or contact one of the local banks listed below.

Lee Bank

Please contact you loan officer. Lee Bank is working hard to support the needs of our business clients affected by COVID-19. Please contact your commercial loan officer for more information on disaster relief options that may be available.

450 Pittsfield Lenox Road. Lenox, MA 01240
Phone: (413) 499-9922
www.leebank.com

Greylock Federal Credit Union

Vanessa Collins, Branch Manager
vcollins@greylock.org
68 Main St. Lenox, MA 01240
Phone: (413) 637-4999

Adams Community Bank

Dave Eisenberg, VP Commercial Lending
deisenberg@adamscommunity.com
Phone: (413) 496-4589
7 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240
Phone: (413) 637-0017
www.adamscommunity.com

Berkshire Bank

Rebecca Sorrentino, AVP/Branch Officer
rsorrentino@berkshirebank.com
www.berkshirebank.com

  • 25 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240
    P (413) 445-3427 • F (413) 637-4170
  • 2 Depot Street, West Stockbridge, MA 01266
    P (413) 232-7918 • F (413) 232-4492

Local Business Support

Cultural Sector Resources from Mass Cultural Council

FROM 1BERKSHIRE:
Non-profits, Freelancers, Arts & Others