The Governor and Lt. Governor recently unveiled a new, sector-specific, “small business grant” program last week. The $688 million grant program is built upon the existing program through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) COVID-19 Small Business Program. The application for new funding opens December 31st and continues until Friday, January 15th. The application and detailed specifics can be found here. This program targets specific industries, including personal services, so there is likely potential opportunity for massage therapists.
Key details of the program:
The Small Business Grant Program was established in the fall, and currently has a pool of eligible applicants awaiting funding. This additional funding will allow the Administration to award more of those pending applicants. Eligible businesses that already applied to the program, but were not funded due to limited funds available, will be prioritized for funding first and do not need to reapply.
For other entities that have not applied yet: The new funding will target the industries most hard-hit during the pandemic. Chain stores, franchises, and non-profits, among others, are not eligible. Eligible industries for the new program include:
- Restaurants, bars, caterers
- Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Event-support professionals (photographers, videographers, etc.)
- Personal services (Nail salons, barber shops, etc. / independent pharmacies)
- Retail
The new business relief program will offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for employee wage and benefits costs, space-related costs, and debt service obligations. More details are on the website about usage, but it is fairly straightforward.
Again, the online application portal for the new program will open on Thursday, December 31st, and will close on Friday, January 15th. Awards are expected to be announced in early February. As mentioned above, the application and detailed specifics can be found here. We largely imagine massage therapy falls directly under personal services. Our amazing lobbyist, Mark Molloy, is staying on top of this and encourages people to apply regardless, if they are eligible.