Businesses across the City of Worcester, especially small businesses, have been impacted by the effects of the Coronavirus pandemmic. To help lessen the strain, businesses can take advantage of a variety of local, state and federal assistance programs and grants.
Numerous Federal, State and Local programs and policy changes have been introduced to provide small business assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. To reach the City's Economic Development Office staff, email development@worcesterma.gov
The City of Worcester (City) has established the COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Grant to assist in the stabilization of existing small businesses within the City of Worcester that have had significant business disruption due to the impact of COVID-19. These grant funds will assist small business in the City of Worcester to cover wages, rent, loss of inventory, and other fixed costs. Grants are capped at $5,000 per business.
*NOTE: The second round of applications closed on Wednesday, May 6:
The City's grant staff speak Spanish, Vietnamese, Albanian and Portuguese. The City also has access to translation assistance for additional languages. Please email a request for assistance to development@worcesterma.gov.
The City of Worcester announced it will be utilizing the Municipal Challenges Bill signed by Governor Baker on Friday, April 3rd, including a delay of the due date for municipal property tax bills to June 1, 2020. The City will also waive the payment of interest and other penalties on late payments that were due after March 10 and paid before June 30 for any excise, tax, betterment assessment, water or sewer bill, or other charge added to a tax.
The City of Worcester is suspending until further notice all Microloan payments due to the City for small businesses within the City of Worcester that have participated in our microloan program.
The CARES Act established several new temporary SBA programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak:
The Baker-Polito Administration announced state tax relief to support businesses. This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May so that they will instead be due on June 20. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.
Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and business that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes.
If you are an employer in Central Massachusetts and have an immediate need to fill critical positions, the MassHire Central Region Workforce Board can connect you with those looking for employment.
Governor Charlie Baker recently approved a new law that helps protect tenants during the COVID-19 state of emergency. It is important for tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities under this law. This law is intended to keep tenants from being evicted, and from having to cope with the eviction process, in the midst of our current public health crisis. The eviction moratorium applies only to “non-essential” evictions for reasons that do not involve a threat to health or safety.
Unless extended by Governor Baker, this protection will end on August 18, 2020 or 45 days after the end of the Massachusetts state of emergency, whichever comes first.
The Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund aims to support organizations in Worcester County that are working with communities disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The focus of this Fund is rapid response to support organizations on the front lines of the pandemic.
Grants between $5,000 - $50,000 will be awarded to:
