Regional Services
For the latest recommendations, directives and health information related to the COVID-19 outbreak please refer to the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Center of Disease Control
COVID-19 Economic Resources
For the Southern Worcester County EDO
This webpage was set up to be a one-stop-shop to access the latest material produced by CMRPC for the Southern Worcester County Economic Development Organization. We are working hard to keep you up to date on the latest, federal, state and local resources as they develop. Please also see our other COVID-19 resource pages below.
COVID-19 Response Components
SECTOR-SPECIFIC RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM FOR MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESSES
Governor Baker announced an additional $668 million to fund qualified applications submitted to Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation already. In addition, a new grant program will open on December 31st, 2020, and close on January 15th, 2021. MGCC is extending the deadline to apply to the Sector-Specific Relief Grant program until Monday, January 18th at midnight
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS, EMPLOYERS & PARTNERS
The MassHire Central Region Workforce Board (MCRWB) is a public/private partnership that serves the needs of diverse employers and job seekers by developing, coordinating, and implementing job readiness and career enhancement strategies, tactics, programs, and activities. With our partners, we identify and leverage community resources to promote economic robustness in the 38 cities and towns we serve. They have compiled a list of regionally specific resources for job seekers, employers and partners.
Funds for Small Businesses
Build Business Support Resources
Adapting Downtowns to COVID-19
The shared spaces grant has been RENEWED through the winter, with an emphasis on winter placemaking and outdoor activities.
Planners and town officials can use this page as a resource for, funding, ideas on improving social distancing and stimulating local economic activity in downtowns, now with an emphasis on winter adaptions.
Social Media 101
Need help reaching out to your customers online? This guide will walk you through the basics of setting up and using key social media platforms like Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn.
Track Economic Trends
See a list of data sources that is useful for municipalities and local and regional organizations for understanding the effect of COVID-19 on local economies.
See Survey Results
Almost 200 businesses participated in surveys to understand the regional impacts of COVID-19.
Interactive Map of PPP Loans
This interactive map shows PPP Loans over $150,000 in Massachusetts. Zoom into your town to see where the largest federal PPP awards have been made.
Key Data Sources for Central Massachusetts
Contact Us
For questions or comments contact Kerrie Salwa from CMRPC who provided staff support for the Southern Worcester County Economic Development Organization. Kerrie Salwa can be reached via email at ksalwa@cmrpc.org.
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
One Mercantile Street, Suite 520
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone 508.756.7717 Fax 508.792.6818
Southern Worcester County EDO COVID-19 Resources
Sources - Icons from icons8.com Images from Upsplash and The Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation