Baker unveils $668 million relief plan to help small businesses
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An employee of Carmelina s in the North End of Boston taped up paper in the windows of the restaurant in May.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
As the most tumultuous holiday shopping season in memory comes to a close, Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday rolled out a $668 million relief program to small businesses devastated by the coronavirus shutdowns, a lifeline that depends largely on a new federal stimulus bill that President Trump is threatening to veto.
Small businesses that have been hit the hardest would get priority for the money, including restaurants, bars, gyms, and event venues. About half of the funds are expected to go to those shut out of a previous round of state aid that was massively oversubscribed this fall. Those latter businesses do not have to apply again to be considered, and Baker said he expects awards to begin sometime next week.
Baker plans $668 million in small business relief grants
Matt Murphy
BOSTON A day after announcing new business restrictions aimed at preventing a post-Christmas boom of COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker launched a massive new $668 million relief fund to help small businesses build a bridge between now and when commerce can return to normal as vaccines begin to arrive.
The small business relief effort dwarfs the $50 million in grants awarded Monday to 1,158 businesses, and could lead to thousands of new businesses receiving checks as soon as next week.
Baker rolled out the new grant fund two days before Christmas and three days before a new set of business restrictions take effect on Saturday, limiting businesses to 25 percent capacity and further restricting the volume of customers they are able to accommodate at any given time.
Agawam used its own CARES funds to setup one-day COVID testing site at Six Flags; ‘We want to take care of our people’
Updated Dec 22, 2020;
Posted Dec 22, 2020
Agawam Firefighter and Paramedic Joel Barlar prepares tests for Agawam residents at Six Flags COVID testing site. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)
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Agawam Mayor William Sapelli told MassLive that the one-day free testing center at the Six Flags New England that was open Monday was to help the town’s residents get tested before the holidays. It was funded through the CARES Act funding given to Agawam.
“Positive cases are on the rise across Massachusetts and we must take every step possible to control the spread of this virus,” Sapelli highlighted standing at the testing site to oversee the operation.
Customer leaves $500 tip in form of a holiday gift for In A Pickle staff in Waltham
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
One customer brought holiday cheers to In A Pickle staff in Waltham on Sunday after leaving a $500 tip.
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One customer brought holiday cheers to restaurant staff in Waltham on Sunday after leaving a $500 tip. The restaurant industry has been hit particularly hard due to the pandemic and the staff of In A Pickle want to express their thanks.
“Merry Christmas,” said the card that was left with the $500 tip inside. “Please divide this between the waitstaff, waitress, cooks, dishwasher and bartender on today’s shift.”
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