Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Thursday, December 31, 2020 Baker announces $668M small business relief package T he Baker-Polito Administration recently launched a $668 million program to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program in part relies on the federal COVID-19 relief bill signed into law on December 27, 2020. The Baker-Polito Administration will soon start releasing millions in new funding to restaurants, retailers and other small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. The Administration announced nearly $49 million in grants through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program to support over 1,158 small businesses. More than 10,000 applicants had sought relief in this grant round. Additional grants will be made available to eligible small businesses through MGCC. 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. The funds will also be used to stand up an additional grant program at the MGCC. This program will target the industries most hard-hit during the pandemic. 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 • Retail The new business relief program would 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. The online application portal for the new program will close on Friday, January 15. Awards are expected to be announced in early February. More details on how to apply and eligibility requirements are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org. COUNCILLOR | FROM PAGE 3 Jadeane Sica. “What you have done in leading us for the last three years has been incredible,” Councillor Condon said. “We’ve gone through three City Clerks, a lot of other changes, we’re in the middle of a pandemic, and you’ve held it all together.” “Your leadership through these tumultuous times has been so commendable, you got us through 2020,” Councillor-at-Large Steve Winslow said. City Council President Sica For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net at the end of the meeting showed a slide show of the Council’s accomplishments over 2020, which also drew high marks. As to incoming President Anderson, she said, “This Council needs a steady, experienced hand, someone with an even temperament that can relate the challenges we face,” she said. “The world looks a lot more different than when this year started. I am proud of the work we have done this year, and I believe we have helped set the city up for success. We must continue to have perseverance for the love we all share for Malden.”
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