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Find all the tools you need to reopen your establishment.
State Reopening Regulations
Find the States reopening guidelines and more resources on our Business Recovery Page
Reopening Massachusetts- general business guidance, sector guidelines and access to all documents Click Here
Full Reopening Advisory Board Report Click Here
When can my business reopen? Detailed industry reopening plan Click here
Gov. Baker’s Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards Click Here
Find Supply Vendors Click here
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Gov. Baker’s Four-Phased Reopening Plan Click Here
Gov. Baker’s reopening plan presentation Click Here
Local Information for Reopening your Business
Outdoor Seating Regulations
Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 (CDBG-CV) Microenterprise Assistance Program (Draft)
The Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) has awarded $4,950,000 of Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant – CV (CDBG-CV) funds to 23 eligible municipalities for Microenterprise Assistance. Ashland is one of these communities and will be awarded $280,500.00.
These special CDBG-CV funds were appropriated through the CARES Act of 2020 and are being awarded to DHCD by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via amendment to the existing DHCD CDBG FY2019 One Year Action Plan.
CDBG-CV Microenterprise Assistance grant funding will support qualifying microenterprises adversely impacted by COVID-19. A microenterprise is defined as a commercial enterprise that has 5 or fewer employees, 1 or more of whom owns the enterprise and must be a for-profit entity. Business type exclusions to the grant include: Real estate rentals/sales businesses, businesses owned by persons under age 18, businesses that are chains, liquor stores, weapons/firearms dealers, lobbyists or Cannabis-related businesses.
CLICK HERE To read full press release.
Submit your application for the Microenterprise grant beginning October 22nd. Access the application here.
Employment & Workforce Development
An additional $54 million is available to support workforce recovery efforts through existing programming such as the Skills Capital Grants program, the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and the Workforce Training Trust Fund.
Direct Support to Small Business and Downtowns; New Round of Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program
A new $10 million round of the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program will continue to help cities and towns quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities. Click here to access additional information about the Shared Streets and Spaces program. Separately, local recovery planning grants will soon be available to cities and towns to assist with long-term planning for their business districts.
Life Sciences
$62 million in existing capital funding through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and MassVentures is available to support recovery and growth.
Keep your establishment safe with these basic techniques
Follow CDC Daily Habits Click Here
Follow CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes Click Here and Click Here
Follow CDC’s Guidance for Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation Click Here
Additional Tips:
- Mark spaces on the floor to encourage customers to stay 6ft apart
- Continue "Senior Hours" at establishments for the populations at risk.
- Encourage touchless point of sales
- use golf pencils to sign materials
- encourage customers to use Google and Apple Pay options
Purchase Personal Protective Gear
Here are some suggested vendors and products:
State Guidelines for Purchasing Hygenic and Protective Supplies
Sani-Tyze® food contact surface sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer from MatTek available in bulk and in 3oz containers
H.T Berry Co. Inc. Disposable Face Masks - HT Berry has a $300 minimum. Doragon Ramen receives weekly deliveries, and local businesses can add to this order at no charge. Jim Berry, the owner is willing to work with local businesses to help them get re-opened.
Contact: James R. Berry - Cell (781) 888-0571
Alan MacIntosh, owner of local restaurant Doragon Ramen offers the following items for sale for pickup:
- Powder Free Vinyl Gloves - Limit 1 each size per business
- Medium Box of 100 - $4
- Large Box of 100 - $4
- X-Large Box of 100 - $4
- Masks - Limit 1 Per Business
- Box of 50 Disposal Surgical Masks - $50
- Sanitizer - Limit 4 Bottles Per Business
- 1 Quart Bottle of Sani-Tyze - $4
Contact Alan if you seek assistance acquiring these essential items at alan@welovenoodles.com
Purchase Safe Social Distancing Signage
Here are some suggested vendors:
Helpful Apps
Zip Whip - Zipwhip’s Texting for Business is the fast, easy and convenient way for businesses and customers to reach each other
Motionvibe -Drives revenue and retention for fitness businesses and organizations in today’s highly competitive fitness industry.
Streamyard - StreamYard is a live streaming studio in your browser. Interview guests, share your screen, and much more. Stream directly to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and other platforms.
Shopify - Sell anywhere
Restaurant Resources
State’s Mandatory Safety Standards for Restaurants in Phase 2
View Town of Ashland’s Outdoor Seating Regulations
ServSafe Free Courses: Includes Free Certification Course for Covid-19 Takeout, Covid-19 Delivery, Covid-19 Re-Openings
FDA Guidelines for Restaurants
Visit the full list of resources on our Restaurant Recovery Page