By Bob Katzen

Attorney General Maura Healey’s office announced it will award $500,000 in grants to cities and towns to provide financial relief to small businesses impacted by closures and losses as a result of COVID-19. Grants will be given to many local and regional agencies and organizations that are assisting small businesses in the communities they serve. The grant funds are designed to help small businesses address fixed debt, payroll, accounts payable, lost sales, lost opportunities and other working capital expenses incurred as a result of the pandemic.
Barnstable, Bellingham, Chelmsford, Easthampton, Holyoke, Lynn, Medford, New Bedford, Newburyport, Orange, Pembroke and Revere were awarded grants along with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission and the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission.
“Bellingham’s Small Business Relief Partnership grant award from the attorney general’s office is welcomed news for our business community,” said Daniel Spencer, the chair of the Bellingham Board of Selectmen. “The town plans to get these grant funds out quickly to assist our small business community as they make plans to reopen their doors in the days and weeks ahead. Without the support of programs like this many of our residents who have spent a lifetime building their businesses would be facing permanent closure.”
“The town of Chelmsford appreciates the attorney general’s assistance for small business,” said Paul Cohen, Chelmsford Town Manager. “The town will be mindful to help those women and minority-owned small businesses that need extra support to recover in the months ahead. These entrepreneurs provide the unique business ventures that form the character of the community.”