Wednesday Update
April 22nd, 2020
Senate Approves $480 Billion Package to Help Small Businesses and Hospitals
The Senate passed a roughly $480 billion relief package late yesterday afternoon that includes hundreds of billions of dollars in new funding for small businesses hurt by the coronavirus outbreak along with other priorities like money for hospitals and expanded Covid-19 testing.

The package was passed by a voice vote, meaning most senators would not need to return to Washington, DC, during the pandemic.

The total price tag of the bill is approximately $484 billion, which amounts to the latest unprecedented effort by Washington to prop up the economy on the heels of the $2 trillion rescue package, the $192 billion relief measure and another $8.3 billion plan Congress approved last month.

It must now be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. If is passed the House, the bill will then move to the White House to be signed by the president.
Bowditch Alert on Small Business Loans
Recent updates on small business loans and more from Bowditch. Click the link to read more.
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LISC announces the “LISC Small Business Recovery Grant Program for Massachusetts”
LISC will provide grants to hard-hit small businesses in Massachusetts to weather the immediate financial impact of closures and social distancing measures required to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

LISC will offer grants of up to $10,000 to address immediate financial peril, limit layoffs, avoid gaps in employee benefits or insurance, mitigate economic instability and increase the likelihood of business survival. Launched with seed funding provided by Citizens, the Small Business Recovery Grant Program is part of the LISC Rapid Relief & Resiliency Fund for Massachusetts.

Applications will close on Friday, April 24 at noon, 12 pm.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
InThink Webinar Series
Running Your Business in Quarantine: A Survival Guide
Friday, April 24th 2020 2:00pm
Week 6:Cybersecurity Concerns & Solutions
Join CEO, Kham Inthirath, as he discusses how your business can strategically position itself in the wake of COVID-19.

This week, we have Jason Pufahl, Vancord’s Vice President Information Security Services, joining us. Now that we have transitioned to an online format, how do we stay protected? Jason will share tips on staying vigilant during these uncertain times and ways to improve your home computer and network security.
Webinar Agenda
  • Staying Vigilant
  • Security Fundamentals
  • Security Awareness Training
  • Improving Your Home Computer and Network Security
  • VPN's/VDI's
  • Incident Response
  • Q&A
Thirty on Thursday: Communicating During Times of Turmoil
Thursday, April 23, 202011:00 AM - 11:30 AM

For leaders, communicating with clarity, confidence, and compassion amid times of economic and public health turmoil is a critical need. Denterlein will provide practical dos and don’ts to assure that corporate leadership can both communicate effectively around tough business decisions and maintain the long-term confidence of your internal (staff) and external (customers, community, regulatory officials) audiences.
The session will help you:
- Anticipate major corporate communications needs
- Communicate with the right tone
- Develop a succinct message
- Identify strategies for directly sharing information with internal and external audiences
- Prepare for traditional and social media inquiries/feedback.
April 29 2020 11:00am
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Complete and utter disruption has been thrusted upon our lives. As we deal with a New Reality that is constantly evolving with every minute of every hour of each day, maintaining focus can be challenging not knowing what is changing within the world of business or how long it will last. For many, survival is at the forefront of our minds. The stability and predictability of Business as Usual has vanished. And just as Hope is not a Strategy, nor is Panic. This session will focus on brainstorming beyond survival to recovery
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)
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
New Members of the BVCC
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!
?Nor’Easter Roofing Inc. · Rob Chaille · 508-341-3261 · rob@noreasterroofing.com · www.noreasterroofing.com · Roofing

The Crafty Nest DIY · Lesley Woods · 508-341-3781 · Thecraftynestdiy@gmail.com · www.thecraftydiy.com · Retail – Arts and Crafts

Berry Insurance · Kaitlyn Pintarich · 508-528-5200 · kpintarich@berryinsurance.com · www.berryinsurance.com ·

The Candy Shoppe · Todd Wellette · 508-865-0085 · twillette@berizon.net · Retail – Candy Shop

SERVPRO Worcester · Angelique Harvey · 508-757-7885 · Jess.bly@praesdium-security.com · www.praesidium-security.com · Security

Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas · Daniel Shapiro · 781-419-3704 · Daniel.shapiro@olympus.com · www.olympus-ims.com · Industrial Equipment Supplies

Human Power Solutions · Sandra Kearney · 617-575-9959 · skearney@hpowersolutions.com · www.hpowersolutions.com · Consulting
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:

Jeannie Hebert President & CEO cell #: (508) 981 5782 jhebert@blackstonevalley.org
Liz O’Neil Programs and Events Coordinator loneil@blackstonevalley.org
Julia Juskavitch Marketing Coordinator jjuskavitch@blackstonevalley.org