NEWS & RESOURCES

The coronavirus pandemic is having deep impact on our community. The Downtown Worcester BID is keeping current on resources and new information to help in this crisis. We will be updating these resources regularly, so check back often. Please contact us if there are other resources or needs we can help address.

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Last updated on February 8, 2021.

Contact the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District

Workforce Assistance

44 Portland Street, Suite 508
Worcester, MA 01608

RESOURCE LISTS & INFORMATION

For Businesses

• City of Worcester  Assistance & Resources

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses

• Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDC) COVID-19 Small Business Resource List

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Small Business Guide
• Worcester Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Daily Email Archive
• Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) COVID-19 Economic Resources
• Massachusetts Reopening Plan

For Commercial Property Owners 

• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International Coronavirus Resource Center

• NAIOP Massachusetts COVID-19 Updates & Resources for the CRE Industry

• National Apartment Association (NAA) Coronavirus Guidance for Property Management

For Nonprofit Organizations

• Massachusetts Nonprofit Network

• Worcester Together Fund

For the Arts Community

• New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) COVID-19 Resources

• Worcester Cultural Coalition Creative Community Resources

• MassArt COVID-19 Aid Resources

ASSISTANCE

Disaster Financing

• U.S. Small Business Administration CARES Act Funding Options

• Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

• Massachusetts SBA Express Lenders List

• Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

• Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) The Futures Fund

• North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation Emergency Micro-Loan Program

• LISC Small Business Relief Grants (deadline February 9, 2021 11:59 p.m. ET)

Corporate & Philanthropic Support

• eBay Up & Running Free Online Store

• Telegram & Gazette Customer Assistance Program (Print & Digital Advertising Discounts)

Workforce Assistance

• Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave 

• Massachusetts WorkShare Program Layoff Aversion

• MassHire Central Region JobGet Free 6-Month Account

• Quinsigamond Community College Free Workforce Development Classes

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation

Technical Assistance & Webinars

• Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) Central Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Central Regional Office

• SCORE Worcester Chapter

• Worcester Business Journal Webinar Calendar

• COVID-19 Small Business Stabilization Network & PPP Technical Assistance/Multilingual Translation

• WPI Foisie Business School Small Business Digitization Services

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Arts, Education & Culture at Home

• ArtsWorcester Virtual Members’ Exhibition

• Davis Publications FREE K-12 Arts Education eBooks & Video Lessons

• Discover Central Massachusetts Virtual Experiences

• Worcester Cultural Coalition Arts at Home

• Worcester Public Library Online Resources

Supporting Local Businesses

• Discover Central Massachusetts Open Restaurants, Markets & General Stores List

• Help Main Street Local Merchant Gift Card Purchase

• USA Today Support Local Gift Card Purchase