• U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Inc. / Haitian American Business Expo, Inc.
  • Connect with us
  • Telephone781-607-7007
  • Emailcontact@ushaitianchamber.org

On March 10, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, giving the Administration more flexibility to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. Read more here.

The Baker-Polito Administration also announced new guidance for Executive Branch employees in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The guidance goes into effect on Wednesday, March 11, and will be revisited in 30 days or sooner as circumstances dictate. The full details are as follows:

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has formed an Interagency Working Group comprised of health, human services, public safety and several other government agencies to develop continuity plans for COVID-19. This working group is broken down into three (3) subgroups that include:

These groups are tasked with developing strategies and coordinating the support effort as it relates to COVID-19.  This follows the Department of Public Health’s infectious disease task force that was stood up in January.

The Baker administration also issued updated guidance to members of the public. This guidance is posted on the Department of Public Health’s website, www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Statewide Conference Calls

Discipline-specific conference calls have been scheduled with various stakeholder groups and will continue regularly. (This list may not be inclusive of all coordination calls.)

Stay Informed

In an effort to ensure you have good situational awareness and early guidance from DPH, all stakeholders and the general public are encouraged to visit the DPH website as updates and guidance changes frequently.  The link for DPH website can be found here: www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

 

Planning Guidance

Below are hyperlinks from DPH’s website that provide specific guidance and recommendations for: (1) emergency responders and law enforcement, (2) businesses and employers, (3) elementary and secondary schools, and (4) colleges and universities. To access the hyperlinks hold “Ctrl” and click the link.

Regarding continuity planning, employers should consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illnesses and lower the potential impact of COVID-19 in workplaces in the event of an outbreak by taking steps to:

All private and public sector agencies are encouraged to develop or update contingency plans to ensure they can continue to carry out essential functions regardless of the threat or impact. For guidance and more information on continuity planning visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/continuity-and-safety-planning-guidance

 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Next Wave Impact – Where Latinos Get Funding

NOWaccount – Get Liquidity without Debt. 

Ondeck COVID-19 related Resource page

Opportunity Finance Network Mission-based lenders and business advising centers

Opportunity Fund – Financial Assistance for Small Business Owners Affected by COVID-19

PayPal – PayPal Working Capital Resources

Red Backpack Fund – COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Grants for Majority Women-Owned Businesses and Nonprofits

Regions Bank – Special Financial Assistance Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Shea Moisture Commerce Fund – Unsung Businesses Fund (Deadline 4/13), and Black Business Relief Fund (Deadline 4/15)

Social Capital Markets – Resources to Support Social Entrepreneurs During the COVID-19 Crisis

Venturize – COVID-19 Emergency Loans and Grants by State

Visa Foundation – Visa Foundation commits $200M to support women in small business

WeFunder –  Small Business Crowdfunding Program

Accion Serving the East Coast – Accion Launches COVID-19 Relief Program

American Express – Working Capital Assistance, and Waiving of Interest & Late Fees

Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs – ANDE COVID-19 Response and Resources

Bank of America – Bank of America Commits $100M in Support of Communities Impacted by Coronavirus

Business for All – COVID-19 Business for All Grants, and COVID-19 Business Resource Center

CASE Center at Duke University – #COVID-19 Capital Relief Resources

CIBC Bank – CIBC’s Entrepreneur Loan Program and EasyPath Financing

Crowdsourced – List of over 190 Investors who are actively investing despite COVID-19

Honeycomb Credit – Honeycomb Crowdfunded Small Business Relief Loan

Facebook $100M Small Business Grants Program and Grant Guide

GoFundMe – Small Business Relief Initiative and Fund

Goldman Sachs Commits $300 Million to Support Communities and Small Businesses

Google & Opportunity Finance Network – Grow With Google: Small Business Fund, and COVID-19: $800M+ to Support Small Businesses and Crisis Response

JPMorgan Chase $50M Philanthropic COVID-19 Investment

National Small Business Association (NSBA) – NSBA’s Frequently Asked Questions


LOCAL RESOURCES:

FLORIDA

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Florida’s Microfinance Guarantee Program

Black Business Loan Program
The Black Business Loan Program provides loans, loan guarantees, or investments through Loan Administrators to black business enterprises that cannot otherwise obtain capital through conventional lending institutions but who could otherwise compete successfully in the private sector.

Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund
The Florida Business Loan Fund provides financing to assist businesses with resiliency efforts. The funds will address the current gap in available, affordable capital for businesses that can be used for inventory purchases, construction, working capital, equipment financing and more.


NEW YORK

COVID-19 Small Business Continuity Program – Emergency Grants: Local banks and community organizations have banded together to launch a new grant program in order to stabilize Capital Region small businesses. Learn more: https://mycommunityloanfund.org/covid-emergency-grants/

NYC Small Business Continuity Loan Fund

NYC Employee Retention Grant Program

New York Department of Small Businesses – WE NYC Small Business Resources

The New York Community Trustee – NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund for Nonprofits

New York Business Journal – What you need to know as you plan to bring employees back to the office post-Covid-19

 


PHILADELPHIA

State-Wide Resources

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