Archived COVID Business Resources

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting physical distancing orders, while designed to keep everyone safe and healthy, presented significant challenges and negative impacts on our local businesses. Although the State of Massachusetts fully reopened as of May 29, 2021, the City understands the stress that our entrepreneurs, workers, and freelancers have been under throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This site aims to be a place for businesses to access resources, information, and support in this difficult time. We also recommend signing up for City alerts to get general, citywide updates as they are announced here.

Resources + Information

CDC Posters & Fact Sheets for Your Business
Employee Rights under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) Guide from the US Dept. of Labor: Employee Rights and The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) Small Business Resources

LISC Boston Technical Assistance
For more information regarding business support, please visit the state’s support and resources page.
Additional information regarding Federal loans and guidance on how to decide which loans a business should proceed with can be found here.

City of Medford Programs

Outdoor Dining

Applications for the 2021 Outdoor Dining program are now available for eligible restaurants. Beginning on March 19^th and continuing on a rolling basis, the City will accept applications for restaurants and eateries who hope to offer outdoor dining options beginning this spring.

The City will accommodate as many restaurants as possible for the 2021 season, subject to review of factors including physical geography, availability of space/accommodation for neighboring businesses, accessibility, health and safety requirements, and others deemed necessary by City staff. Regulations and guidelines are subject to change based on available public health data during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All restaurants interested in any kind of outdoor seating, including but not limited to full table service, seating areas for take-out, café seating or benches, must apply through the City’s outdoor dining permitting system.

Please contact the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability to inquire about applying for outdoor dining:

Planning, Development, and Sustainability
Viktor Schrader, Director of Economic Development
Medford City Hall, Room 308
85 George P Hassett Drive
Medford, MA 02155
781-393-2480
vschrader@medford-ma.gov

Other Assistance Programs

Monetary Assistance

American Families Plan. The American Families Plan The American Families Plan is a once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, health care, and childcare.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Though the PPP ended on May 31, 2021, existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. Learn more here.

Non-Monetary Assistance

Small Business Strong. A private and public sector partnership to help small businesses navigate the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides expedited, pro-bono resources to small businesses ranging from access to capital to consulting, business restructuring, business growth, digital marketing, and customer engagement plans.
COVID-19 Small Business Stabilization Network. A workforce of community development organizations who are here to support ALL small businesses in their communities.

Layoff Aversion

Department of Unemployment Assistance
MassHire Workforce System. Provides connections to hiring incentives (tax credits and workforce training funds), labor market analysis, applicant matching, job posting, etc.

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