We sat down with Housing Director Paul Lischetti to learn more about the recent addition of the Chester Commons Building to our Housing program.

How did we come across the Chester building? ​Chester Commons is the former Chester High School building. It was converted to affordable housing for people over the age of 55 or who have disabilities in 1987. The Chester Library (the Hamilton Memorial Library) and the town's mineral museum are also located in the building. We had heard that the previous owner of the building was interested in retiring.

Why did we decide to purchase the building? ​Hilltown CDC wanted to make sure that if the building was sold, it would continue to serve the community as affordable housing.

What funding sources/agencies helped in purchasing the building? ​We obtained two loans from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), a Boston-based agency that provides loans and technical assistance for affordable housing work. One loan was to purchase the building. The other loan is used to pay for pre-development expenses including an appraisal, architecture and engineering, legal expenses, and environmental compliance.

What are some of the challenges of managing this new property? ​The building is in need of improvements including replacement of the flat roof and repairs to the sloping slate roof, brick and masonry repairs, window repairs and replacements, a new boiler and other energy conservation improvements, and handicapped accessibility improvements to meet current standards. We are also interested in adding an elevator if adequate funding can be identified, to improve access to the second and third floors for the building's elderly and disabled residents. Chester Commons is a contributing structure to the Chester Factory Village National Register Historic District and historic features of the building must be preserved as improvements are made.

What are our future renovation plans? ​Hilltown CDC has received funding awards from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and the State Historic Tax Credit program. Federal Historic Tax Credits are also being applied for. We have also submitted an application for funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the needed improvements. The process of applying for funds is competitive and usually takes more than a year to complete. Once funding has been lined up, the work can proceed.

For additional questions related to this project, please contact Paul Lischetti at paull@hilltowncc.org. To apply for housing in the Chester Commons or any other HCDC property, please contact Kristepher Severy at kristephers@hilltowncdc.org

Equal Housing Opportunity

Hilltown CDC, on behalf of the Town of Chesterfield, is seeking community input regarding potential projects to be included in the FY2021 Community Development Block Grant application. Typical programs included are: Housing Rehabilitation, Hilltown Elder Network, Health Outreach Program for Elders, Hilltown Food Pantry and It Takes A Village. If there are new programs/activities you would like to have considered, please let us know as well! Your participation and input on these programs is greatly appreciated.

If you have participated in, or know someone who has participated in any of these programs and would like to share success stories, or ways to improve the programs please contact Bea at beavh@hilltowncdc.org or 296-4536, ext 115. Similarly, if you know people who could use the program please share your support of the program by sending a letter to Hilltown CDC

Or, if you live in Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg or Worthington, please add your name to our petition and take the survey!

Hilltown Community Development will not be offering community tax prep assistance this year due to ongoing safety concerns for our volunteers, staff and clients.

Community Action

Community Action Pioneer Valley is providing FREE tax assistance to clients who live in Hampshire or Franklin counties with incomes of $31,900 or less (for a single filer).

Clients will need to be able to scan and email their documents to participate this year. Those who do not have that ability are encouraged to wait until March when Community Action hopes to offer a “drive through” scanning of documents.

For additional information and to schedule an appointment please visit Community Action at https://www.communityaction.us/freetaxassistance or call 413-376-1136.

AARP Tax Aide

AARP sites are now scheduling at senior centers in Lee, Great Barrington, Pittsfield, and Westfield. One does not have to be a senior to have AARP complete their taxes. Clients may go to the site and have their documents scanned. Later they will pick up their completed returns. Clients can call the senior centers directly to make appointments:

Lee: 413-243-5545

Great Barrington: 413-528-1881

Pittsfield: 413-499-9346

Westfield: 413-562-6435

An additional tax resource is AARP’s free online tax assistance website. There are no income limits or other restrictions for people to utilize the AARP self-prepared service.

You may be also eligible to self-file online using free tax software. For more information visit https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/online-self-filing-software.

Please note that the IRS is not accepting 2020 tax returns until February 12th this year.

Throughout the pandemic, Hilltown CDC staff have continued working on behalf of our communities, our tenants, and our small local farms and businesses. Although it has been many months since we all gathered together in person, we are thrilled to have grown our family with the addition of two new staff to our Housing Team:

We are delighted to introduce Jennifer O'Connell who was recently hired as our Housing Services Coordinator.  Jennifer brings her skilled background in case management to our team and will focus on helping our tenants access needed services and support.  Before Hilltown CDC, Jennifer worked as a Case Manager at Swift River in Cummington and assisted severely mentally ill clients in Enfield, CT to be able to live independently in their community.

Jennifer earned her associates in Human Services from Asnuntuck Community College and trained as a Nurse's aide.  She has always enjoyed helping people and is happy to be able to work locally in the Hilltowns.  She lives in the Hilltowns with her partner and 8-year-old daughter, and her daughter's kitten, Pluto.  She loves being outdoors in the summer.

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Kristepher Severy is our new Property Manager, taking over for Stephanie Bean as she transitions to our Accounting Department. Kris spent the last nine years working with Pancione Associates, the property management company that services all of the apartments and buildings owned by Hilltown CDC. He also served as the Property Chair for Laurel Park in Northampton where he has lived for the past ten years.

Kris says he enjoys the dynamic nature of working with people on ever-changing projects. He enjoys architecture and likes to see improvement! Kris also has an art history degree and music background, and managed Raven Used Books bookstore in Northampton for 17 years. He enjoys reading, singing, kayaking, cycling, cider, and sculpture parks

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In addition, we also welcomed Clara Rowan to our finance department. She has worked in the financial field for the past 15 years at a few local housing authorities. In her spare time Clara likes to travel! Welcome to the family Jen, Kris and Clara!

Are you looking for an affordable apartment in Chester?

Hilltown CDC is currently accepting applications for one studio and one 1-bedroom apartment on the third floor of 1 School Street in Chester, MA. Tenancy is limited to those 55 years of age or older, or persons with disability. Rents are subsidized by Massachusetts Rental Vouchers. Subsidies are based on income.

Rent for studio (before subsidy): $774.00

Rent for one bedroom (before subsidy): $774.00

Incomes limits are set at 80% of area median, and may not be more than the amounts listed:

1 Person – $47,850

2 Person – $54,650

Complete applications must be received by 1/31/21. Tenancy expected to begin in February. Applications will be mailed or emailed upon request. For more information, call Kristepher 413-296-4536 ext. 105, or email kristephers@hilltowncdc.org

Equal Housing Opportunity

VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING 

CDBG FY19 grant Budget Amendment and grant extension  

 Where: Town of Chesterfield Selectboard Meeting Room – Virtual meeting 

When: Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 at 5:00 pm 

(Contact the Town of Chesterfield for information regarding remote public access to the meeting.)  

Participating Communities: Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Williamsburg and Worthington 

Discussion topics: 

• Shift of funds from Hilltown Food Bucks Program to Housing Rehab Program  

• Grant extension to June 30th or Sept 30th, 2021.   

If you are unable to attend the virtual public hearing but have comments on any of the above, please email Bea at beavh@hilltowncdc.org 

Hilltown Community Development has announced the winners of the Hilltown Directory “Sights of the Hilltowns” Photo contest. Participants submitted entries of photos they had taken in the 23 Hilltown area that is served by the Hilltown CDC. People could then vote on their favorite photos through online voting. The winning photos received the most votes.

All winning photos can be seen on the Hilltown Directory website: hilltowndirectory.com

$250 “Grand Shutterbug” award goes to Jon Berman, of Blandford

 “This photo was taken a couple autumns ago on Birch Hill Road in Blandford. One of the challenges was the angle of the photo to minimize impact of the telephone wires while still capturing the sunset crested ridgeline. I took the photo using what my friend photographer John Stanmeyer called “a fine camera with a phone attached” - an iPhone 6S.”

$100 “Prime Paparazzo” award goes to Katharine Adams, of Otis

“The pastoral scene was photographed on October 6, 2020 in Becket near the intersection of Routes 8 & 20, representing a gentle land I frequently gaze upon and admire.”

$50 Awesome Image Award to Paula Hebert-Pike

“I took the photo in October of 2015. The barn is located on Rt. 112 in Worthington, in the South section of town.”

$50 Awesome Image Award to Jan Luzzi

“My photo was taken on the Ashfield Trail system which heads out from the base of Pony Mountain and the Climbing wall, near Chapel Falls. It is fondly known as ‘The Beaver Pond’.”

Winners of the “People’s Choice awards” for each town are as follows.  These photos received the most votes of the photos submitted for the individual towns:

Notably, Jan Luzzi of Florence not only received the awesome image award for Ashfield, but also had the people’s choice award for the towns of Chesterfield and Plainfield. David Butcher received the people’s choice award for both the towns of Westhampton and Huntington, and Susanne Robertson received the people’s Choice award for both Goshen and Dalton.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Chester-Samuel Mazzaferro

Chesterfield- Jan Luzzi

Cummington- Nancy Cole

Dalton- Susanne Robertson

Goshen- Susanne Robertson

Haydenville- Kelly Bombard

Hinsdale- AJ Zahn

Huntington- David Butcher

Middlefield- Sarah Foley

Montgomery- Richard Chapman

Otis- Karen McTaggart

Plainfield- Jan Luzzi

Russell- Elizabeth Massa

Washington- Gavin Crochiere

Williamsburg- Daria DArienzo

Windsor- Kathryn Wells

Westhampton- David Butcher

Worthington- Paula Hebert-Pike

MA just announced their Small Business grant program administered through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.  

There are options for businesses with 50 and fewer employees as well as for micro businesses with 5 and under employees.  

 If you are interested in accessing up to $25,000 as a micro business or up to $75,000 for your business of 50 or under employees impacted by COVID-19 this is worth a look!

Investigate parameters and apply ASAP before funds are gone if you are interested!  Applications close Nov 12th at noon!

Hilltown CDC has received a three-year grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to build on and expand age-friendly walkability in their rural region. Walkable communities emerged as a priority from an age-friendly initiative in the Northern Hilltowns in the fall and winter of 2019: in town after town, meeting after meeting, older adults said they did not feel safe crossing the road or walking in their Village Centers. The project covers Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington, most of which have a state road bisecting their town center, sometimes carrying high-speed traffic. Hilltown CDC is partnering with Healthy Hampshire, the Northern Hilltown Council on Aging Consortium, and WalkBoston on the Healthy Aging grant.

Through the grant, Hilltown CDC and its partners will work to engage communities, conduct walk audits, identify opportunities to improve walkability, and advocate and collaborate on making improvements in each of the seven towns. They plan to take a different approach in each community, as some towns have already done substantial walkability work, while others are just beginning. While direct, in-person engagement with older adults was a critical piece of the original project proposal, project partners are currently working to revise their timelines to avoid in-person gatherings during COVID-19. They plan to begin by focusing on building strong relationships with the Select Boards in each town, as well as with MassDOT at the state level. They are also researching the possibility of engaging older adults virtually, although lack of broadband in the rural region poses a barrier.

“When we talk about transportation, walking really has a role. We believe that walking is very important – even in rural areas – for health reasons, for community, and for those businesses we do have in Village Centers, like the post office and the corner store. In rural communities as well, people can and should be able to walk to amenities. Hilltown CDC has had a longtime commitment to Village Center model, and this is a really important project to us from that perspective,” explains Kate Bavelock, Director of Community Programs at the CDC.

Hilltown CDC is hiring!

We are looking for an Affordable Housing Property Manager and a Housing Services Coordinator to join our Housing Team. For more information on these positions and how to apply, please visit our Jobs page.

Hilltown CDC has partnered with our local retailers and farm stands to bring you Hilltown Food Bucks, a local effort to help HIlltown residents stretch their food dollars while supporting our critical local food businesses in a difficult time of social and economic stress.

Eligible participants can receive between $100-$125 food coupons per month for five months to be used at participating local stores and farms. The coupons double your spending power when you make a purchase, so a shopping basket worth $80 can be paid for with $40 of coupons and $40 of your own money.

To be eligible, you must live in one of the towns we serve through our Community Block Grant: Ashfield, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Plainfield, Williamsburg and Worthington. Program funding is limited, and will fill on a first come, first serve basis – we will let you know if a slot is available for you after we receive your application. If you are interested, please complete the one page application attached here. For questions on the Hilltown Food Bucks program, please contact Kate Bavelock, Director of Community Programs, at kateb@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536 x 116.

Participating Retailers:

Blandford Country Store – 98 Main Street Blandford (NEW!)

Chester Village Market – 191 Rt. 20, Chester (NEW!)

Corners Grocery Store – 2 Packard Common, Worthington

Chesterfield General Store – 432 Main Rd, Chesterfield

Old Creamery Co-op – 445 Berkshire Trial (Rt. 9), Cummington

Moltenbrey’s Market – 44 Worthington Rd, Huntington

Williamsburg Market – 12 Main St, Williamsburg

Participating Farm Stands:

Crabapple Farm –100 Bryant St, Chesterfield

Cream of the Crop Farmstand – 601 Blandford Rd, Russell (NEW!)

Four Corners Farm – 27 Old North Rd, Worthington

Good Bunch Farm – 221 N River Rd, Shelburne Falls

Hart Farm – 585 S Shirkshire Rd, Conway

Intervale Farm – 106 S Rd, Westhampton

Sawyer Farm – 19 Sawyer Rd, Worthington (online ordering & curbside pickup only)

Give Us Your Best Shot!

We are looking for the best photos of  the Hilltowns for the HilltownDirectory.com.  We want photos that show the sights, the people, and everything the Hilltowns have to offer.  Grab your camera or your smartphone and submit your best photos to be featured on the HilltownDirectory.com.

About the Contest

Capture and share your stunning images of the Hilltowns.  What’s unique to see in your Hilltown?  A great view, vista, or village center?

Top Prize $250 Grand Shutterbug
$100 Prime Paparazzo
$50 (two) Awesome Image Awards

“People’s Choice Award” from each town displayed on the town page on HILLTOWNDIRECTORY.COM

RULES

• Winning Photos and the “People’s choice photos” will be voted on by the public after all the photos are submitted.

• $5 donation per submitted photos.

• Photos must be submitted thru this site by Oct 7, 2020

• Voting will begin Oct 10, 2020 – Oct 24, 2020

• Winners will be announced on Friday, October 30th, 2020

• Photos must be your own or you must have permission to post photos for someone else.

• Proceeds will go to help the Hilltown CDC’s small business support program, which has helped Hilltown business owners since 1981. Thinking about starting a business? We can help make your dreams become reality. Contact Michele Kenney at MicheleK@hilltowncdc.org

Applications are now being accepted!

Hilltown CDC, on behalf of the Town of Chesterfield and with potential funding provided through both their CDBG FY19 grant and a CARES Act grant has established a Micro-enterprise Relief Program (MRP) to help businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Program Summary

The Micro-enterprise Relief Program (MRP) is designed to assist businesses with 5 or less employees (including the owner) that have been negatively impacted due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The program will provide one-time grants for business owners who need financial assistance to support business operational costs in order to keep the business sustainable. Grant funds must be used within two months of award. Applications are now being accepted. Funding will be awarded based on a first come, first eligible, completed application basis, subject to the availability of funding. 

Grant amounts will range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000 to cover business losses incurred after May 10, 2020. 

Eligible Towns for CARES Act funds: Ashfield, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Plainfield, Williamsburg and Worthington.

Examples of potential allowable grant uses:

·         Operating costs – rent, mortgage, utilities, business insurance premiums

·         Inventory, materials or supplies

·         Small equipment/tools needed due to altering product or service to be provided

·         Personal protection equipment purchases or alterations to location to allow ease of reopening due to COVID-19

·         Payment for professional services needed to pivot business including but not limited to marketing related activities or website improvements

Examples of grant uses that are not allowable (not exhaustive):

·         Payment of outstanding debt incurred prior to COVID-19

·         Vehicle purchase / lease for business use 

·         Payment of any existing Tax liens

Your business may be eligible if:

-          You have been in business as of Jan 1, 2019

-          You have 5 or fewer employees (including yourself)

-          Your place of business has temporarily closed or has reduced hours due to COVID-19

-         You live and have a business in an eligible town (listed above).

-          The business owner’s family income falls within income guidelines (if more than 1 owner, each owners family income must be below 80% AMI) See application for income limits.

You are NOT eligible if:

-          You have a not-for profit business

-          Business owner’s family income is above 80% AMI income level

-          Business owner does not live within in an eligible town

-          You have received emergency funding through another source for the purposes for which you are applying

-          Assistance is for one of the following types of businesses: real estate rentals/sales, owned by a person under age 18, businesses that are chains, liquor stores, tobacco sales, pawn shops, weapons/firearms dealers, lobbyists or cannabis related businesses, adult entertainment or social clubs.

Please be sure to save your completed application and email it, along with required documentation to:

  Bea von Hagke at beavh@hilltowncdc.org

or mail to: Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17, Chesterfield, MA 0101

List of Required Documents 

This is a list of the anticipated documents applicants will need to submit in order to be considered for financial assistance.

 -         Completed Application

-         Copy of most recent tax returns

-         Current Profit and Loss statement

These additional documents may be needed due to individual circumstances.

 -         6 months recent bank statements

-         Pay stubs for household members over the age of 18

-         Investment income documentation

-         Child support received, if applicable

 All questions should be directed to: Bea von Hagke at beavh@hilltowncdc.org

The HUD Income Limits have just been released for FY20, with an increase over last year’s income limits. These brackets are used to determine eligibility for several of our programs including Housing Rehab, Childcare Subsidy, and the HEN Program. If you or someone you know previously applied for one of these program and were not eligible, we encourage you to apply again! This is a great opportunity to access services that may make a significant difference in your life or the lives of your neighbors. Call us today to make an appointment! 413-296-4536

Hilltown Mobile Market Farm Shares are available now for our 2020 Season! Fresh Hilltown-grown produce to fit every budget. Eat safe, local food this summer. Limited Shares are available!

July 23-October 9, 2020 in Blandford, Cummington, Huntington & Worthington

The Hilltown Mobile Market is coming back this summer with more farms, new locations, a longer season, and double the number of farm shares!  Your support during our pilot season last year resulted in increased grant funding to purchase a market vehicle and broaden our reach to more communities.  Starting in July, we will bring "pop-up" markets to Blandford, Cummington, Huntington, and Worthington each week for twelve weeks, stocked with the freshest Hilltown-grown produce.  Stop by and shop with cash, credit, debit, SNAP, WIC, or Senior FMNP Coupons, or sign up online now for a Hilltown Mobile Market Farm Share to support our farms and guarantee your pick of each week's harvest.   The Farm Share is an affordable option with a sliding scale between $5-20 per week and is also eligible for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) reimbursements!  The market is supported by Healthy Hampshire, Hilltown Community Development and the Hilltown Community Health Center.  For more information or to sign-up for a farm share visit hilltownmobilemarket.info or call or email Caitlin Marquis at 413-588-5562 or cmarquis@collaborative.org.

It is anticipated that CARES (Corona Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act funds will be available to our region soon. We at Hilltown CDC are trying to determine the best use of these funds in order to most effectively help Hilltown residents. Specific details of this Act have not yet been released by HUD. Thus far we have heard that the following types of assistance are eligible: interim assistance (rental/mortgage payment, utilities etc), micro enterprise assistance (less than 5 employees), and Public Social Services.

Please help us determine the needs in our area. Please also share the survey with others in the hilltowns who could provide input.

>>TAKE THE SURVEY<<

Thank you for providing your feedback!

Economic Fall Out from Pandemic Requires Large Scale and Equitable Response

Investments Needed for Small Business, Housing and Nonprofit Sectors

A statewide association of Community Development Corporations is calling upon state leaders to take immediate action to address growing and urgent needs for small businesses, tenants, homeowners and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) represents 88 community-based nonprofits across the state that work to advance economic opportunity, affordable housing and thriving neighborhoods across the state. MACDC is calling for the following actions:

• $150 million investment in loans, grants, and technical assistance to help small businesses survive and recover from this economic crisis, especially those businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, women, and low- or moderate-income people;

• Creation of a Massachusetts COVID-19 Small Business Response Task Force to guide the on-going response to this crisis and consider other initiatives to help small businesses through this crisis;

• Expanded unemployment insurance criteria to cover currently ineligible business owners, such as sole proprietors, independent contractors and micro businesses;

• Short-term eviction moratorium to keep people housed during this public health crisis;

• At least $25 million in emergency funding to help tenants impacted by the COVID-19 crisis pay their rent;

• Special initiatives to help nonprofit organizations, including community-based cultural organizations, youth programs, CDCs, and other critical local organizations.

Read MACDC's full Initial Policy Recommendations in Response to the Public Health and Economic Crisis

"The economic fallout from the COVID-19 public health emergency is likely to hurt just about everyone, but it will have a particularly significant impact on lower-income communities, communities of color, Gateway Cities, and distressed rural areas," said Joseph Kriesberg, President of MACDC. "We need the state to step up immediately with significant and equitable investments to help our small businesses survive and recover from this unprecedented crisis."

"We know this pandemic will have a particularly significant impact on the most vulnerable among us. It will reveal and exacerbate the persistent racial and economic inequities in our society," noted Kriesberg. "That is why we need a strategy based on equity that targets resources to the businesses, families and communities that most need assistance".

MACDC recommends that much of the small business development assistance be deployed through the highly effective network of community-based organizations already working with the state through the Small Business Technical Assistance program. These organizations are working with over 3,000 small businesses across the state, with 88% of the clients coming from underserved communities such as people of color, immigrants, or lower-income communities. Additional support can be deployed by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) with a proven record of leveraging federal and private funding to deliver capital to small businesses. MACDC is also urging an expansion of the Mass Growth Capital Corporation's Small Business Recovery Loan fund which is already oversubscribed. Given the scale of this crisis, we recommend that businesses be able to access both loans and/or grants to ensure their long-term survival and to avoid new debt obligations that will burden their recovery.

MACDC's policy statement calls on the legislature and the Governor to use the state's Rainy Day Fund and General Obligation Bonds to help cover the costs of these emergency investments.

Read MACDC's full Initial Policy Recommendations in Response to the Public Health and Economic Crisis

SBA Offers Statewide Disaster Assistance to Massachusetts Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Boston – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Massachusetts small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Charles D. Baker on March 17, 2020.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Massachusetts; and the contiguous counties of Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland and Windham in Connecticut; Cheshire, Hillsborough and Rockingham in New Hampshire; Columbia, Dutchess and Rensselaer in New York; Bristol, Newport and Providence in Rhode Island; and Bennington and Windham in Vermont.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Massachusetts small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Administrator Carranza.

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process.

“Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Carranza.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Carranza added.

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

“The SBA Massachusetts District Office and our partners are available to assist small businesses with applying for disaster assistance and providing recovery technical assistance.  We are committed to providing the latest guidance to our lending and community partners”, said Massachusetts District Director Bob Nelson. “We encourage all to sign up for email updates from us by visiting www.sba.gov/MA and by following us on Twitter at @SBA_MA.”

For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.

For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus. 

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.