COVID-19 Resources
The FCCDC is here to help you and your business navigate the COVID-19 crisis. Our team of industry experts and partners have worked to build the following list of resources. This list will be updated periodically to reflect changes and additions. The FCCDC staff are working remotely, please contact us via email.
From the FCCDC:
- The FCCDC is available to assist you to review, explore options and develop next steps.
- Contact Kate Venne, Food Business Coordinator, at katev@fccdc.org or Pioneer Valley Grows Investment Fund (PVGIF) Manager Rebecca Busansky at rebeccab@fccdc.org for more information
- The FCCDC continues to accept loan applications. https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/FranklinCountyCommunityDevelo/ApplicationForm.html
- Flexible loans to farm and food businesses - Pioneer Valley Grows Investment Fund http://www.pvgrows.net/investment-fund/for-entrepreneurs/
- Mass Food Trust Program - grants and loans to food retailers to help supply healthy food to low-income communities https://massfoodtrustprogram.org/
- The FCCDC is available to help assemble loan applications to other lenders (SBA, MGCC & banks).
- The FCCDC and our partners are compiling a resource list that gets updated regularly: https://bit.ly/WMassBusinessResources
- The FCCDC and our regional collaborations with other service providers are providing relevant training and informational webinars for you. We all continue to add webinars to this link. Please keep it and check regularly to see if there is something that you can benefit from.
- Guide to shopping local farms
Others:
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1-2pm weekly webinars on important topics for business owners.
CommonWealth Kitchen: Running a Food Business in the face of COVID-19, Resource Guide
American Farmland Trust: Farmers who are affected by market losses due to the virus, can apply for $1,000 to ease their immediate financial concerns. You can find more information about the application here: https://farmland.org/farmer-relief-fund/
MA Dept. of Agriculture: https://www.mass.gov/guides/covid-19-resources-for-agriculture
MA Food System Collaborative: https://mafoodsystem.org/resources/resourcehome/covid19/
Farm to Institution New England: COVID-19 Matchmaking: Institutional food, resources, labor, technical assistance
From the FCCDC:
- The FCCDC is available to assist you and your business to review, explore options and develop next steps.
- Contact Amy Shapiro, Business Development Director, at amys@fccdc.org to schedule a virtual appointment.
- The FCCDC continues to accept loan applications. https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/FranklinCountyCommunityDevelo/ApplicationForm.html
- The FCCDC is available to help assemble loan applications to other lenders (SBA, MGCC & banks).
- The FCCDC and our partners are compiling a resource list that gets updated regularly: https://bit.ly/WMassBusinessResources
- The FCCDC and our regional collaborations with other service providers are providing relevant training and informational webinars for you. We all continue to add webinars to this link. Please keep it and check regularly to see if there is something that you can benefit from.
- Microenterprise Grants available for Franklin County Businesses learn more.
Other:
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1-2pm weekly webinars on important topics
United States Small Business Administration: CARES Act Paycheck Protection Loan Program PPP -- Overview
United States Centers for Disease Control: Resuming Business Toolkit
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce COVID-19: Special Hours and Services for Franklin County Businesses
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA): Resources for COVID-19
Common Good offers and needs board
The board is there, it’s free, and ready to be used by many more people. It’s simple, and anyone can use it.
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network Resources for Mass Nonprofits
United States Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Information
We are building a Small Business Grant Fund, if you are interested in contributing please contact John Waite at johnw@fccd.org.
From State of Massachusetts: