*We will be sending COVID-19 Business Resource Updates on Mondays and Fridays only beginning this week. Our goal, as always, is to bring you the most recent updates and news in the most effective way possible.
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Stay at Home Order Extended to May 18th |
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Tuesday, April 28, Governor Baker and his administration announced the extension of the Non-Essential business closures from May 4 to May 18. He also announced the creation of the “Reopening Advisory Board” chaired by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.
Businesses and organizations that are not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means. The order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18.
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Notice of Exemption from Paid Family and Medical Leave Contributions |
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IRS Form 1099-NEC compensation is now exempt from paid family and medical leave [PFML] contributions
As you may know, the IRS now requires nonemployee compensation paid to individuals on or after January 1, 2020 to be reported on IRS Form 1099-NEC. Previously, nonemployee compensation was reported on Form 1099-MISC, box 7.
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Bowditch Client Alert - CDC Releases Reopening Guidance | Liability If Employee/Customer Gets Sick | Tax-Free Employee Relief Fund |
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Massachusetts Allows Virtual Notarization |
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New Law Allows Continuation of Business Requiring Notarization
On April 27, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed into law an emergency measure to authorize Massachusetts notaries public to use real-time electronic video conferencing to perform “an acknowledgement, affirmation or other notarial act” during the COVID-19 crisis.
The principal signing the document, witnesses, and notary public need not be in each other’s physical presence; however, in addition to the audio and video recording (retained for 10 years):
· The notary public must observe each principal’s execution of a document
· The notary public and each principal must be physically located in Massachusetts
· The principal must deliver the executed document to the notary public
With respect to any document “involving a mortgage or other conveyance of title to real estate,” the notary public and each principal are both required to engage in a second video conference during which each principal verifies that the document received by the notary public is the same document executed during the initial video conference.
The principal must make disclosure of any person present in the room and make that person viewable to the notary public.
The notary public must provide an affidavit that must be retained for 10 years.
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What 1099 Earners Need to Know About Federal Coronavirus Aid |
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"Recently passed laws provide financial assistance to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including ways to help independent contractors and self-employed individuals. The U.S. government passed important new laws in March 2020 in order to help businesses of all sizes attempting to mitigate damage from the coronavirus pandemic. While much of the discussion has focused on providing relief to small and medium-sized businesses, America’s growing number of self-employed earners were also thrown a lifeline of sorts with this legislation." |
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Small Business Funding Resources |
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Grafton Job Corps Center Workforce and Employer Partner Survey |
We wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know what has been occurring at Job Corps over the past month. Our staff have been developing Distance Learning opportunities for students. We anticipate that there will be some significant training and hiring needs once the country begins to reopen, and we want Job Corps to be part of the solution.
To this end, we invite you to take our Grafton Job Corps Center Workforce and Employer Partner Survey. The survey contains 12 questions and should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. We will use your answers from the survey to tailor our Distance Learning programs with training that meets your employment needs and the needs of the local workforce. Feel free to share this survey with other employers to help us develop a full understanding of your industry’s needs.
We do not know the exact date when students will return to Center. We anticipate it may take some time for things to return “back to normal.”
As always, if you have questions, concerns or need additional information about Job Corps, please call the Center at 508-887-7300 so we can be of assistance!
Thank you for your time and commitment to our Center.
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InThink Webinar Series
Running Your Business in Quarantine: A Survival Guide Week 7: Using Predictive Index & Talent Optimization to Maximize Business Results
Friday, May 8th, 2-3pm EST.
Join CEO, Kham Inthirath, as he discusses how your business can strategically position itself in the wake of COVID-19. Next up, we have Joe Cundall, a consultant from The Cornerstone Group, joining us. How can we align our business strategy with our people strategy to get optimal business results? Joe will introduce Predictive Index (PI) and discuss how it can help solve common types of businesses issues.
Webinar Agenda
- What is predictive indexing?
- Common types of business issues it can help solve
- How Cornerstone can partner
- Q&A
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Managing Business within an Evolving New Reality
As humans we are naturally social creatures. We exist best when we are within communities. Social distancing is not part of our DNA, however it has fast become a necessity within today's current situation. Without knowing how long the need for isolation will persist, how can we energize and inspire not only ourselves but others during these unprecedented times. Join us for this conversation on ways to inspire and stay inspired while isolated.
As we grapple with a New Reality, a myriad of concerns begin to consume us as we try to survive this crisis. During these unprecedented times, followers will be looking to their leaders for reassurance. And while "Hope is Not a Strategy", it does play an important role as we lead our teams through these challenging times. Join this session to understand the needs of those we influence, whether employees, customers, family, etc.
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Connecting Your Business to the Commonwealth
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 10:00 a.m. - Noon
?This FREE workshop is designed for businesses that are interested in learning how to do business with the State. The workshop will provide participants with information about:
• The bidding process and where to find bidding opportunities
• The basics of COMMBUYS, the Commonwealth’s online Market Center
• How to market to public entities (including state and local agencies)
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Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Pre-Certification
Thursday, June 4, 2020 10:00 a.m. - Noon
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This FREE workshop is designed for businesses that are interested in learning how to apply for SDO certification. Attendance at a Pre-Certification Workshop is required before a business may apply for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Veteran Business Enterprise. This workshop will provide information on how to begin the certification process. Certification may help your business to:
• Become more marketable for government entities
• Learn about new government bidding opportunities
• Create Business to Business (B2B) partnerships
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Please take moment and check out our most recent new members. Support them if you are able by purchasing gift cards, ordering take-out, or scheduling an appointment for a later date. We thank you all! Welcome New BVCC Members! |
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As a reminder, the BVCC Office is closed to in person meetings this week, but please do not hesitate to contact the staff of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. We are here to ensure your questions get answered, and your business needs are met.
Remote contact info:
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