Cape Cod & COVID-19 Resources

LINKS TO TOWN INFO ON COVID-19

Barnstable | Bourne | Brewster | Chatham | Dennis | Eastham | Falmouth | Harwich | Mashpee | Orleans | Provincetown | Sandwich | Truro | Wellfleet | Yarmouth

REGIONAL-LEVEL RESOURCES

• Learn about local testing information and the latest updates from Cape Cod Healthcare. 
• The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment is maintaining a website for COVID-19 updates and information.
• Information about COVID-19 testing is also available at Outer Cape Health Services.
• The Cape Cod Reopening Task force has compiled resources for residents, visitors, businesses, employers and towns.
• The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce is sharing information at Cape Cod & COVID-19.
• The Barnstable County Human Services department has information on unemployment insurance, contacts for older adults and people with disabilities needing non-medical emergency assistance, emergency services hotlines, newsletters relating to public health and human services, and a comprehensive resources directory.  
• Housing Assistance Corporation has COVID-related resources with regards to housing including a workforce housing relief fund. More information  
• Community Development Partnership has compiled a list of resources for small businesses and is available to answer questions and help small businesses apply to certain state and federal relief programs. More information 
• The Lower Cape Outreach Council provides emergency assistance of food, clothing, and financial support to the 8 towns of the Lower Cape. More information
• The Enterprise Newspaper is making all their COVID-19 related news and updates free for all to access on their website
• Coastal Community Capital shared information on what paperwork business owners will need to apply for the the U.S. Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• The MassHire Cape & Islands Career Center is available by phone and email to assist and answer questions, and is a resource to those facing unemployment. More information about filing for unemployment
• Find the closest COVID-19 testing site to you with the Testing Site Locator app. All information is sourced from the websites of local governments and healthcare providers and is not authoritative; please contact testing sites or your local health department directly for official information and testing requirements. 
• Cape Cod Young Professionals has a list of resources for Cape Cod's businesses, non-profits, young adults and families
• Love Live Local is maintaining a list of food establishments, grocery stories, and pharmacies that are still Open for Business on Cape Cod
• The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod issued two surveys, to individual artists and cultural organizations, to inform the AFCC of support needs for the arts sector as we recover, innovate, and rebuild for the next stage.
• Several local chambers of commerce are maintaining COVID-19 information and links on their website, including a list of restaurants now offering take-out and delivery:
  • Cape Cod Canal Region | Dennis | Eastham | Falmouth (Restaurant Info) | Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce | Orleans | Sandwich | Wellfleet | Yarmouth
• SCORE Cape Cod is providing reopening toolkits to small businesses and non-profits 
• Free PPE, including masks, gloves, and sanitizer, are available to area child care and early education providers courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Please contact the Child Care Network in Hyannis  (bethg@cacci.cc or (508) 778-9470) or the Cape Cod Children’s Place in Eastham (chorgan@capecodchildrensplace.com) for more information.
• For support and best practices for child care and early education providers navigating the reopening process, contact Denise Graham-Reardon of the YMCA Cape Cod at dgraham-reardon@ymcacapecod.org.
• Grants are available for downtown Hyannis businesses through the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) program.
• Cape Light Compact has increased many energy efficiency incentives for businesses to reduce their energy and overhead costs, especially while they face the economic impacts of COVID-19. More information. 

STATE-LEVEL RESOURCES

• The most updated information for Massachusetts is available at mass.gov/covid19.
• State’s COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses
• Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation is administering the sector-specific grant program for Massachusetts businesses. This program targets the hardest hit small businesses that have an exceptional need of cash relief. Businesses can receive up to $75,000 but capped at up to 3 months of operating expenses. Applications will be accepted from 12:00 pm on December 31, 2020 through January 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm. More information
• Baker-Polito Administration Announces Partnerships for Recovery and a $774 Million Economic Recovery Plan. More information here. 
• The Baker-Polito Administration’s comprehensive plan for reopening the Massachusetts economy includes general business guidance for reopening. More information here
• Massachusetts extended administrative tax relief measures for local businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. More information here
• The Massachusetts Housing Partnership has information regarding affordable housing during the pandemic, including resources for setting up an emergency rental assistance program and other local financing options. More information 
• The DUA website has the latest information on how to apply for unemployment benefits, including a form to request assistance for those with special needs, disabilities or language difficulties.
• The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network homepage has up-to-date information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
• Entrepreneurs: EforAll has compiled a list of national, regional, and local resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Rapid Response works closely with companies to avert layoffs. More information
• The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance offers WorkShare, a program that allows employees to work reduced hours while collecting unemployment benefits to supplement their lower wages. More information
• Massachusetts 2-1-1 provides real-time COVID-19 information, resources, and referrals in multiple languages. This expansion is the result of an increased investment in resources directed towards this 24-hour state-supported telephone hotline. More information
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health shares information on their website. More information
• Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant funds available to eligible municipalities to respond to COVID-19. More information
• The latest guidance on reopening for early education and child care providers can be found here: https://eeclead.force.com/apex/EEC_ChildCareEmergencyReopenInfo

NATIONAL-LEVEL RESOURCES

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers information to communities and individuals on how to prepare for COVID-19.
• Restore Your Economy from the International Economic Development Council provides an overview of the CARES Act, including a breakdown of funding resources. More information
• US Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. 
• The US Economic Development Administration (EDA) has published the FY 2020 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity (PWEAA NOFO) that provides economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs. 
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is managing CARES Act funding available to the fisheries industry. More information
• On March 13 the President of the United States issued a proclamation declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak. More information
• OSHA’s Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. More information
• U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance on deferring tax payments due to COVID-19. More information.
• The Federal Reserve Bank has links to resources for job seekers, employers, small businesses, and more. More information.
• Artists, musicians, and performers: Americans for the Arts is offering resources for affected artists and art organizations.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is offering Small Business Relief Grants of $5,000 to $20,000 for small businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of COVID-19 in rural communities (communities with a population of 50,000 or less). The next grant application period will open Tuesday, December 29.