Program offers businesses quick closing loans of up to $10,000 for remediation, losses caused by the September 11 flash floods

Following Monday’s unprecedented flooding in Leominster and surrounding communities, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, today announced the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program.

The program provides up to $10,000 with a 1% interest rate and all fees waived for eligible businesses and offers an expedited approval process with a quick closing. Loans are available up to six months interest only or deferred payments, then up to a 36-month repayment term with no pre-payment penalty. Businesses meeting the loan program criteria can expect to receive funding within two weeks of a completed application.

“We expect some small businesses will need access to immediate funds as they work on remediation efforts or experience closures for an extended period of time while they recover from the historic floods our region faced on September 11,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber and North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation. “With the support of our board of directors and the hard work of our staff, we wanted to provide an option for our affected businesses to ensure they are back up and running as quickly as possible.”

Businesses eligible for the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program must be in operations at the time of the disaster, with funding utilized for losses caused by the flooding in North Central Massachusetts and for flood remediation expenses. Businesses meeting the loan program criteria can expect to receive funding in as quickly as one week of a completed application.

“Should businesses incur expenses above and beyond this loan, we can work with them using our traditional loan programs and full underwriting practices,” added Nascimento.

Assistance in recovery efforts is also available through the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, which reactivated its dedicated email helpline at help@northcentralmass.com for businesses to contact with requests for immediate assistance. Additionally, an online resources page has been developed at www.northcentralmass.com/flood-resources providing the latest guidance and resources from local, state and federal authorities when it becomes available.

The Chamber is committed to keeping its members and the public informed and will be posting on the website as well as its various social media platforms as new information becomes available. Businesses and the public can follow the Chamber on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

For additional information or questions about the North Central Emergency Relief Loan program, please contact 978.353.7607 or visit www.choosenorthcentral.com.

Source: https://www.mass.gov/

Below is a broad overview of what is available to support residents and businesses affected by flooding that was compiled by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. More resources may be added as damage assessments continue. At this time, the flooding events are not a federally declared disaster, so FEMA individual assistance, public assistance and other services may not be available.

Immediate Assistance

Emergencies
If floodwaters pose an immediate threat to your life or property, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance.

General Help

Mass 211 partners with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and local offices of emergency management to provide citizens with critical information and non-emergency assistance before, during and after emergency or disaster events. The Mass 211 Emergency and Disaster Services Line relieves pressure on 9-1-1 and emergency response teams by providing contact center services for citizens needing critical non-emergency public information and referrals for food, housing, financial assistance, etc.

Call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.helpsteps.com.

Debris Removal/Home Cleanup

The Crisis Cleanup Home Cleanup Hotline is open to help Massachusetts residents affected by flooding. The hotline is expected to be active until August 25, 2023.

Individuals needing assistance with fallen trees, mold mitigation, tarping roofs, or flooring, drywall and appliance removal can call 617-207-5633.

Mental Health

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

Call or text 1-800-985-5990

Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1-800-985-5990 presiona “2.”

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL Callers: To connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language, click the “ASL Now” button on the DDH website or call 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone.

Federal Affairs: We are currently monitoring the bipartisan Building Chips in America Act of 2023 which aims to enhance the CHIPS Act passed in 2022 and increase efforts to bring microchip manufacturing back to the U.S. The Chamber is also working to engage our Washington D.C. representation on a pair of bills, H.R. 2673 American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 and its Senate counterpart, S.866 American Innovation and Jobs Act. This pair of bills aims to course correct a provision in the 2017 Tax Cuts and jobs Act that set a sunset date of 2022 for a provision in the Tax Code that allowed firms to recognize all Research and Development (R&D) expenditures in the year that they were incurred. Members of our Washington D.C. fly-in had the opportunity to discuss the impact of this legislation on their business and this continues to be a concern.

We are proud to announce that our Annual Congressional Luncheon is scheduled for November 1, 2023. Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Lori Trahan are confirmed again to participate in this popular forum for members to connect with our Congressional delegation and get insight into priorities on Capitol Hill. We would like to thank Fitchburg State University for their continued sponsorship of the luncheon program.

State Affairs: The Executive Office of Economic Development continued their series of listening sessions across the state over the Summer as part of their economic development planning process. As reported in our last issue, members of the Chamber team and our various partners in the region attended a listening session held at WPI. Since then, we also had the opportunity to provide input at sessions held at Framingham State University, the Fitchburg Legislative Building and online. We provided input across a number of areas that align with our public policy agenda including small business supports, economic development, workforce development, and transportation.

Governor Healey signed the FY2024 State Budget on August 9. The $56 billion budget sees an increase of approximately 6.2% compared to the fiscal year 2023 budget. The Chamber was pleased to see continued funding in the budget for several regional economic development priorities. On the tourism front, the budget included an additional $1 million for the Tourism Trust Fund and an additional $3 million for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) for tourism and hospitality recovery. The additional investments in tourism were supported by the Chamber as we believe they are crucial for the continued promotion of the state and the North Central Massachusetts region. We were also pleased to see that funding for early college saw a $9 million increase over last year’s budget and funding for innovation pathways saw a $1 million increase. A new line item also allocates $5 million for equitable scaling of pathway programs. The Student Opportunity Act is once again fully funded and the State will launch its MassReconnect to support getting residents 25 or older into community college programs.

The Chamber participated in a virtual discussion with MassDOT officials and stakeholders from across the Commonwealth as they discussed their plans for potential rail expansion along the Northern Tier corridor. Not only would this investment bring more visitor dollars to the area, but it has potential to greatly help with workforce challenges involving transportation.

Elections: In local affairs, two of the region’s three mayors face contested elections later this fall. A number of City Council seats across the three cities will also see contested races. On the State level, the seat left vacant by former Senator Anne Gobi when she joined Economic Secretary Yvonne Hao’s team is up for grabs with multiple candidates vying for the seat including two current state representatives. Once again, we will be gathering our current elected officials and candidates together for our Legislative and Candidates Reception. This is one of our most exciting events of the year and provides members of the community with the opportunity to engage our elected officials and those looking to hold office. This year’s event is sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College and will be held at the Chocksett Inn in Sterling on Thursday, September 21 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

MassReconnect Will Help Meet Workforce Needs, Address Economic Skills Gap, and Offer Transformative Chance at Degree for Massachusetts Adults

Governor Maura T. Healey today launched MassReconnect, her administration’s new program establishing free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older, and awarded $100,000 to each of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges to support the quick implementation of the program this fall. Governor Healey was joined by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega, and the community college presidents today at MassBay Community College’s Wellesley Campus. During the event, the Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted the first MassReconnect students at MassBay, celebrating the impact the program is expected to have for students across the state.

“MassReconnect will be transformative for thousands of students, for our amazing community colleges, and for our economy,” said Governor Healey. “It will bolster the role of community colleges as economic drivers in our state and help us better meet the needs of businesses to find qualified, well-trained workers. We can also make progress in breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty by helping residents complete their higher education credentials so they can attain good jobs and build a career path. Our administration is grateful for the partnership of the Legislature to move forward on this critical program that will make our state more affordable, competitive and equitable.”

“Our administration and our community college partners are ready to hit the ground running with MassReconnect this fall semester. We encourage any eligible students who might have been holding off on taking that final step to enroll to do so now to begin this next stage of their education and career,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We are also proud to be setting our community colleges up for success by providing them each with $100,000 for implementation of this lifechanging program.”

“In Massachusetts, we know that getting an education is a key to the middle class, supporting a family, building a life, and pursuing a brighter future. In this year’s state budget, we thrust open the doors to those opportunities and countless others, by making community college free for people 25 and over, making nursing programs at community colleges free for all individuals, and setting our state on a path to universal free community college in 2024,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “These proposals are a major step towards the Senate’s Student Opportunity Plan and are crucial to ensuring residents have the tools to build the futures they dream of—right here in Massachusetts. I am deeply grateful to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tutwiler, Commissioner Ortega, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Senate Higher Education Committee Co-chair Jo Comerford, and Speaker Mariano, for making education a priority in Massachusetts.”

“MassReconnect will create life-changing educational and career opportunities through free community college for qualifying residents at institutions such as Quincy College and at other community colleges across the Commonwealth, including for many residents from historically underserved communities. This program will also help to address key labor shortages, while ensuring that Massachusetts possesses a highly trained workforce that is prepared for the industries of the future,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank the Healey Administration, Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House, as well as Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for working to include this transformative program in the Commonwealth’s FY24 budget.”

Governor Healey invested $20 million in MassReconnect for the first year of implementation in her first budget that she signed earlier this month. This funding covers the full cost of tuition and fees and includes an allowance for books and supplies at each of Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges. Additionally, each community college will also receive $100,000 from this funding to support student and community program awareness, staffing, and program administration. Quincy College also received $1.5 million in the FY24 budget to operate a similar program.

There is still time to enroll in MassReconnect for this fall. The only steps necessary to sign up are to enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate at one of the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges and complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid). There is no deadline to sign up. The majority of community college programs begin the first week of September, but there are scattered start dates throughout the semester, so students can enroll at any time.

In order to qualify for MassReconnect, students must be 25 or older on the first day of their classes and be a permanent Massachusetts resident for at least one year at the start of the enrolled term. The program is limited to residents who have not previously earned a college degree (associates or bachelor’s) who enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate at a community college.

“There’s no doubt that with MassReconnect we will be able to change the lives of each of the students who take advantage of this historic opportunity to achieve their degree,” said Secretary of Education Tutwiler. “But beyond our students, this program will also strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and our public higher education system, By investing in our community college students, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is investing in the future of the Commonwealth.”

MassReconnect will likely support up to 6,500-8,000 community college students in the first year, which could grow to closer to 10,000 students by FY25, depending on how many students take advantage of the new opportunity. They could include current students, new students, or returning students who did not complete their degree. There are approximately 700,000 Massachusetts residents who have some college credit but no degree. MassReconnect will help bring back these students to finish their degrees, with the additional funding and support they may have been lacking the first time.

“With the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s record-breaking investment in higher education, including the highest levels of support for financial aid and scholarships the Commonwealth has ever seen, we will be able to expand access to higher learning more than ever before. MassReconnect is the centerpiece of that effort,” said Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education Ortega. “For all the Massachusetts adults out there who had to put their education on hold or didn’t have the opportunity to pursue it in the first place, now is your chance to pursue a degree or certificate to advance your career and transform your life and that of your family.”

The Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges are a ticket to economic mobility for many Massachusetts residents, and thus are key drivers of our business and our economic success. Nationally, employees who have earned their associate degree are paid 18 percent more than workers with only a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And these well-paying jobs are just waiting to be filled—in July 2023 there were more than 26,000 unique job postings in the Commonwealth that specifically required an associate degree. MassReconnect will harness the power of our community colleges by allowing workers to earn the training and education necessary for their career growth and reinforcing our pipeline of skilled industry professionals entering the workforce.

“For adults coming to one of the fifteen community colleges across the Commonwealth, MassReconnect removes one of the biggest barriers to attendance: cost,” said Jim Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College and chair of the Community College Council of Presidents. “By making community college completely free for any adult over 25 in Massachusetts without a degree, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is making an historic investment in our state’s workforce and providing hundreds of thousands of adults with a clear pathway to a career.”