HOLYOKE — City businesses are being asked to complete an online survey to identify needs and ways to weather the coming months during the coronavirus pandemic.
Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce executive director Andrea Marion discussed the survey Wednesday during the chamber’s weekly conference call with city business and civic leaders.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Marion said Gov. Charlie Baker extended the closure of all nonessential businesses to May 4. She recommended businesses contact their banks directly for a recently passed federal small business loan program.
The chamber has set up a dedicated website with business resources and information on unemployment benefits, as well as the survey.
Mayor Alex B. Morse said the city has partnered with the chamber and EforAll, a business incubator.
The federal stimulus package includes community grant programs for Holyoke, directly to business owners, he said. The mayor said the grants are more like “easily forgivable” loans with favorable terms for applicants.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, who directs EforAll, said the organization is offering business training webinars and other courses on its website.