Direct Economic Assistance
The Baker-Polito Administration announced economic support for small businesses with a $10 million loan fund to provide financial relief to those that have been affected by COVID-19. The fund provides emergency capital up to $75,000 to businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first 6 months. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has capitalized the fund and will administer it. Please complete the application found on MGCC’s website: EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org
SBA Disaster Recovery Funds are now available for eligible New Bedford businesses and non-profits. Small businesses can apply directly to SBA and the application is processed online via https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
NBEDC Financial Assistance
In order to assist New Bedford small businesses experiencing COVID-19 hardships, the NBEDC has enacted the following measure for existing loan clients and those that may consider our small business loan program as a potential opportunity for relief.
How to Make Your Payment
For the well-being of our existing NBEDC lending clients and our staff, at this time we ask that you refrain from bringing payments into the office in person. For your convenience and ease of processing the NBEDC accepts Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments for all current loan customers. We encourage you to utilize this service to limit in person contact and to ensure your payment is applied in a timely manner. If you are not currently set up for ACH payment, please click the following link to download and complete the NBEDC ACH Payment Sign Up Request. Please email all completed requests to Lending@NBEDC.org
For those unable to make ACH payments the NBEDC will continue to accept payments by mail. Please continue to mail in your regularly scheduled payment to:
New Bedford Economic Development Council, Inc.
1213 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Help Making Your Payment
If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to make your regularly scheduled payment please click the following link to download and complete the NBEDC Payment Modification Request Form. Please email all completed requests to Lending@NBEDC.org. Please note, you are required to make your regularly scheduled payment until notified by the NBEDC that your request has been processed and approved.
Hardship Loan Requests
For existing New Bedford businesses experiencing financial hardship that would like to request a new loan from the NBEDC please click here to download and complete NBEDC application and documents required. Please email all applications and supporting documentation to Lending@NBEDC.org.
To better serve those businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic the NBEDC is not accepting new loan requests for start-up businesses at this time.
It is important for everyone to be aware of the facts of COVID-19 Coronavirus and the local and state networks sharing up to the minute information. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued guidelines and recommendations for businesses and employers regarding the reduction of close contact in the workplace, such as:
- Make telecommuting options available for as many employees as possible.
- Discourage touching including shaking hands, hugging, etc.
- Encourage good hygiene such as washing hands frequently, covering your cough with your elbow or a tissue, and regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- Urge employees to stay home when they are sick.
- Be flexible with sick leave benefits for those who are ill or who are recommended to stay home because they are high risk.
- For businesses in which telecommuting is not an option or for particular duties that cannot be performed remotely, follow the other steps above to limit close contact, and prevent the spread of disease.
- Increase routine environmental cleaning.
Helpful Links for COVID-19 Information
Please be aware this situation remains fluid and changes to local, state, and federal policies can happen at any time. The following links are the best sources for up-to-date information:
City of New Bedford COVID-19 Updates
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
1213 Purchase Street
2nd Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
508.991.3122