Business and Employee Support
The Town of Franklin recognizes the enormous impact the COVID-19 closures and restrictions are having on our community and businesses. Please find a variety of helpful resources below.
Unemployment Resources
- Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance
- PUA Application for self-employed, independent contractors and more
- Information on Unemployment & COVID-19
- Unemployment Application
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Guidebook
- Unemployment FAQ
- FTC "Looking for Work after Coronavirus Layoffs?"
Business Resources
- SBA Announces Restaurant Revitalization Fund - NEW
- SBA Shuttered Venues Grant Program
- Micro-Enterprise Grant Program Overview & Instructions
- Micro-Enterprise Grant Program Preliminary Application
- Governor Baker Releases Four-Phase Approach to Re-Opening Massachusetts.
- Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces
- CDC Guidance for Reopening Business after a Prolonged Shutdown
- Franklin Downtown Partnership Promotional Resource for Local Businesses
- Essential Service Designation Request
- Paycheck Protection Program Loans: Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
- SBA Approved PPP Lenders in Massachusetts
- SBA PPP Lender Search
- SBA PPP Loan Information
- Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Request for Counseling
- SCORE Boston Business Mentoring and Webinars
- Upcoming Virtual Events for Businesses/Business Owners
- MEMA Guidance for Businesses
- Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
- Massachusetts Office of Business Development A map of the regions and contact information can be found here https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/10/10/2019-mobd-regions-map.pdf
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available statewide. Massachusetts received approval for the disaster declaration for small businesses and private non-profits to apply for the SBA EIDL loan program. Visit the SBA’s Disaster guidance web page: www.sba.gov/disaster Applicants may apply online through a streamlined process here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ as well as receive additional disaster assistance information. Download applications to mail in forms here https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
- The Rapid Response Program works closely with companies to avoid layoffs and keep a skilled workforce engaged in the existing regional economy or industry. To find out more about how the Rapid Response Team can help businesses visit this link: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/rapid-response-layoff-aversion
- Essential businesses are defined here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-essential-services If a business feels they are an essential business and they are not covered by the link above, they can request a designation as an essential business here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/essential-service-designation-request
- If you are a health care provider looking for personal protection equipment (PPE) or a manufacturer interested in producing, please visit the MA Life Sciences supply hub page at https://www.massbio.org/news/blog/calling-on-all-life-sciences-and-healthcare-organizations-to-donate-supplies-to-fight-covid-19-151858
- Supplemental Guidance for Construction Sites
- The IRS extended the tax deadline to July 15, 2020. Find details here https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue COVID-19 Information: Important updates from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- The Federal Reserve Board announced a Market Mutual Liquidity Fund https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20200320b.htm
- Bulletin 2020-05; Flexibility in the Issuance and Administration of Insurance during COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Public Health Crisis; Issued 3/23/2020 https://www.mass.gov/news/bulletin-2020-05-flexibility-in-the-issuance-and-administration-of-insurance-during-covid-19
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office: Resources during COVID-19 Outbreak https://www.mass.gov/guides/resources-during-covid-19
- National Grid Information for Business customers regarding the COVID-19 Outbreak https://www.nationalgridus.com/COVID-19
- CLOSED DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE: MA Growth Capital Corporation:$10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund