"Most Massachusetts businesses" that have applied for the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program loans should start seeing money “this week,” Robert Nelson, the head of the agency’s Massachusetts office told the Boston Business Journal in a wide-ranging interview Wednesday.
“I think this week absolutely is realistic, as far as money starting to come out on the PPP,” Nelson said. "I think things are going to start happening,
pretty quickly, and that's going to be this week.”
Let's hope so. We've been hearing over and over how important this is for our employers but also how frustrating the process has been.
The chamber is continuing to monitor how our local businesses and nonprofits are doing with their PPP applications. Have you found a bank to administer
your loan? Has it been approved? Have you received funds? Email me. I’ll keep your answers confidential.
Meanwhile, if you have questions about SBA loans or a loan application, contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email.
You may also direct inquiries and questions to Nelson's SBA District Office. Individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339.
If you need help finding a banker here’s a list of the chamber’s member banks or send me an email.
Tell your kid they have until Monday
If you have a bored high school senior lurking around the house, tell him or her that they have until April 13 to apply for a chamber scholarship.
Everything they need to know is here.
Quick Books adding PPP features
Small businesses that use Quick Books, and many do, may be interested in knowing that the company is adding features designed to make it easier
to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
Grocery stores told to reduce occupancy
Gov. Baker and the Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued new guidance for grocery stores. This new rule dictates that a grocery store shall limit occupancy to 40 percent of its maximum permitted occupancy level,
including both customers and employees. Stores with a maximum occupancy of 25 or less are exempt from this requirement. The order prohibits
local boards of health from enforcing their own stricter limits.
Need health insurance?
Uninsured residents have until April 25 to apply to the Massachusetts Health Connector for health insurance. Individuals should call (877) MA-ENROLL
((877) 623-6765) to gain access to the enrollment period, or go to https://www.mahealthconnector.org/ to complete an application. You do not need a waiver from the Office of Patient Protection to enroll in coverage at this time.
Businesses interested in Health Connector medical and dental options for their employees should look here.
Meanwhile, the Department of Unemployment continuing its series of Virtual Town Halls, details are here.
Crisis leadership lessons
Finally this morning, I’d like to share some links provided by chamber friend Robert Glazer, founder
& CEO of the Needham-based Acceleration Partners and the highly recommended Friday Forward newsletter.
In an email yesterday Glazer called out four people who are “setting a great leadership example.”
- Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson: Sorenson’s message to all Marriott International associates is a great example of what effective, empathetic communication to employees looks like – especially those in one of the hardest hit industries.
- Simon Sinek: The iconic author and thinker on purpose and culture gave a brilliant speech to his own team about how these times are not unprecedented. Definitely worth watching.
- Andrew Cuomo: As [Glazer] wrote in a recent Friday Forward, the New York Governor’s regular news conferences are a masterful example of exceptional crisis communications.
- Eric Kapitulik: One of [Glazer’s] favorite leadership trainers, Eric Kapitulik, wrote a great piece about maintaining perspective, listening to experts and leading others.
Stay in touch, just don’t touch.
Greg Reibman
President, Newton-Needham Regional Chamber
617-244-1688
