星期四, 3月 26, 2020

麻省理工學院亞洲商務會議慶10週年 宏碁董事長陳俊聖傳授翻轉企業之道

麻省理工學院亞洲商務會議慶10週年,參與籌辦同學合影。(周菊子攝)
宏碁董事長陳俊聖分享"翻轉"企業經驗。(周菊子攝)
陳俊聖的演講主題。(周菊子攝)
              (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導) 麻省理工學院(MIT)史隆管理學院的亞州商務會議今年慶祝10週年,以橋接亞洲為主題,邀20多名講者,暢談投資,醫療健保,創新與消費趨勢。主講人宏碁董事長陳俊聖的經驗分享,提醒許多人,現代企管一大課題是如何翻轉企業。
              史隆商學院院長大衛·斯密特雷恩(David C. Schmittlein)為會議做開場致詞。他強調這會議的知識交流傳統與意義,更為今年會期遇上新型冠狀病毒全球肆虐,所有講者與參會者不懼威脅,仍然出席,大表感謝。
MIT亞洲商務會議開場主講現場。(周菊子攝)
              宏碁董事長陳俊聖和Antler全球合夥人Martell Van Hardenberg當天先後為這場會議做主題演講。一個分享企業翻轉經驗,一個談從打造電商到製造創投。
MIT史隆商學院院長David C. Schmittlein致詞。(周菊子攝)
              陳俊聖畢業於成功大學交通管理系,從IBM,英代爾,做到台積電的全球銷售及市場副總裁。2014年,突然有業界前輩找他接手宏碁。那時,宏碁雖然歷史悠久,名聲響亮,但2013年已虧損7億元,公司重臣也接踵離任,他著實思考了好一陣子,想自己的事業發展究竟是因為自己很好,還是公司很棒,想著擺在眼前的這公司正處困境,如何翻轉可是真正的挑戰。
宏碁董事長陳俊聖(左)會後應與會者要求合影。(周菊子攝)
陳俊聖後來不帶一兵一卒的踏進宏碁。抱持著在台積電時從張宗謀那兒學來不要把別人的問題變成你的問題處事態度,面對宏碁重臣們敘述一籮筐問題的轟炸,他只專注哪兒有機會,還要各單位擬定100日計畫,每週檢討進度,把他從併購(M&A)學來的經驗,應用到重整宏碁上,專注財務,簡化產品線,砍掉手機及平板生產,把子公司從11家縮減到5家,推出Predator等電競品牌,每年參加兩次國際產品發表大會,藉以帶動改善產品或推陳出新的時間壓力,逐漸重塑宏碁形象,不但遊戲電腦領域排名第一,還使宏碁成為注重人性,強調環保的品牌。
陳俊聖指出,在翻轉宏碁這條路上,重點之一是如何處理問題。他初進宏碁時,人們搶著說給他聽的問題多如繁星,真要去一一處理,恐怕窮其一生,也解決不完,所以他的做法是只要是不致命問題,就暫放一旁,把精力、重心放在找出宏碁的優點,加以擴大發揮上。他相信5年之內,宏碁將成為人們生活中必不可少的產品。
              Antler全球合夥人Martell Van Hardenberg的引人注目是他才24歲時,就和人合夥,於2012年創辦出Lazada,這個市場橫跨越南,印尼,新加坡,2016年被阿里巴巴以10億美元買走控股權,後來又加碼20億元發展的東南亞最大電商平台。
              在荷蘭、義大利念大學,在法國拿企管碩士學位的Martell認為,整個東南亞加起來,是世界第四大經濟體,中產階級人數正大幅度增加,已有60%網路用戶網購,其中33%還是經由社交媒體來採購,東南亞無疑將是企業界的兵家必爭之地。
GrubMarket創辦人徐敏毅相信未來是亞裔美人天下。(周菊子攝)
              Martell在會場中以投影片指出,2012年時,東南亞還是個困難重重的市場,物流服務不足,幾乎沒人在網上付款,零售業很分散,境內使用的語言更多達240種,市場太過分歧,各國流行的社交媒體各不相同,印尼用what’s app,馬來西亞,新加坡,越南用Youtube,泰國用wechat,菲律賓用facebookLazada打造的金流,物流服務,手機應用程式,卻逐一解決了品種,上網,信任等顧慮,達成包裹包裝的75%,運送的70%,都由他們來處理。Lazada的金融科技還解決了東南亞6個市場的語言差異問題,儘管那時約91%的東南亞人沒信用卡,居然有83%的人用貨到付款方式,在Lazada上購物。2016年阿里巴巴進駐後,更是把Lazada帶向數位經濟,創造出一批新一代企業家。
Intudo Ventures創始合夥人詹谷新(Eddy Chan)。專注
印尼市場。(周菊子攝)
              現在他已離開Lazada,投身進打造創業家的Antler
              在主題演講之外,今年的MIT亞洲商務會議還安排了四場分場論壇,談投資,醫療護理,創新及消費者趨勢。
              其中的消費者趨勢可算是科技,創新領域人士在長時間關注科技後覺醒,科技和生活互相依存,對改善生活沒有作用的科技,充其量就只是技藝,能改善生活,卻使科技有了可能變革社會的更巨大意義。
騰訊投資部執行總監Steven Fan。(周菊子攝)
由曾任沃爾瑪媒體集團資深市場主任,現為MIT史隆學者的張栖(James Zhang)主持的這場消費者趨勢論壇,講者有3A服裝公司創辦人暨執行長Anu ChadhaGrubMarket創辦人兼執行長徐敏毅,Grain創辦人兼執行長宋頌(Yi Sung Yong)Ducker Frontier常務董事Joel Backaler
              GrubMarket創辦人兼執行長徐敏毅,是中國來美的第一代移民。他透露自己曾在甲骨文,蘋果,eBay等高科技公司工作,7年升職7次,但在一路順遂之際,他忍不住的想,就算自己在美國企業界認真爬梯,真的有一天當上了諸如亞馬遜之類大公司的執行長,他又能在那職位上待多久,這才促成他自己出來,打造下一代的偉大企業。
              徐敏毅說,他同意擔任MIT亞洲商務會議講者是因為他認為在MIT讀書的下一代,比他有更好機會,成為美國大企業的掌舵人,希望分享、傳承經驗。
麻省理工學院企業關係主任榮光輝(右)和中金常務董事戚婷婷(左)。
(周菊子攝)
              根據網路資料,GrubMarket是個以從農場到廚房(Farm to Kitch)”為理想,起家時在網路上把農產品直接賣給消費者,其後擴展至賣給超市等的公司,創立於2014年,在楊致遠、紀源資本相繼投資後,迄今已累計融資6400萬美元。
              目前營業範圍仍以洛杉磯為主要地區的GrubMarket,正積極向美東擴展。原本傳聞2019年上市,但目前仍無動靜。
              這場會議的其他分場討論,投資部分由MIT全球經濟、實務教授Gary Gensler主持,講者有中金公司常務董事戚婷婷,騰訊投資部執行總監Steven FanIntudo Ventures創始合夥人詹谷新(Eddy Chan)
投資講座。(周菊子攝)
              醫療護理部分,由MIT醫藥駭客計畫(Hacking Medicine Initiative)教務主任Zen Chu主持,講者有德勤(Deloitt)顧問公司醫療護理策略合夥人Neal Batra,賽默飛世爾科技公司全球區域資深副總裁Syed Jafry,珠穆朗瑪峰(Everest)醫藥董事長何穎(Ian Woo)Interactive Scopes創辦人黃志忠(Jonathan Ng)
醫療護理講座。(周菊子攝)
              創新部分,由Alariss共同創辦人暨執行長Joyce Zhang主持,講者有繭(Cocoon)資本執行合夥人William KlippgenIIT初創公司董事長Manoj Goel,一片(OnePiece) 共同創辦人暨執行長Vickey Li,螞蟻金服(Ant Financial)符合法規長Victoria Liu Edison
              消費者趨勢部分,由曾任沃爾瑪媒體集團資深市場主任,現為MIT史隆學者的張栖(James Zhang)主持,講者有3A服裝公司創辦人暨執行長Anu ChadhaGrubMarket創辦人兼執行長徐敏毅,Grain創辦人兼執行長宋頌(Yi Sung Yong)Ducker Frontier常務董事Joel Backaler

創新講座。(周菊子攝)
消費者趨勢講座。(周菊子攝)















 Antler全球合夥人Martell Van Hardenberg當年創辦了東南亞最大電商
Lazada
(周菊子攝)

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Request and Other COVID-19 Response Efforts

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Federal Disaster Request and Other COVID-19 Response Efforts

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a new request to the federal government for a Major Disaster Declaration, in addition to other actions to sustain the Commonwealth’s response to COVID-19.

Major Disaster Declaration Request: Governor Baker today submitted a request to the federal government for a Major Disaster Declaration for Massachusetts. If approved, this declaration would provide the Commonwealth additional federal assistance beyond what was included in the Emergency Declaration declared by President Trump on March 13, 2020. The disaster declaration request includes a request for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which would make financial assistance available to cities and towns, state agencies, and certain non-profits statewide. The disaster declaration request also requests FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program including Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Crisis Counseling Assistance to help support residents in need during this unprecedented incident.

  
New Public Health Orders: The Department of Public health has issued three emergency orders to support the health care system’s response to COVID-19:
  • Pharmacy Practice: To ensure pharmacists are able to fully support the health care system’s response to COVID-19, this emergency order makes several changes regarding pharmacy practice, including expedited approval for pharmacists licensed in other states to practice in Massachusetts, and allowing the remote processing of prescriptions by pharmacy technicians. Read the Order
  • Determination of Need: This emergency order exempts health care facilities from the requirement that they submit a Notice of Determination of Need for certain activities that will support their response to COVID-19. Read the Order | Read the Guidance
  • Nurse Staffing: To ensure hospitals have the flexibility they need to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, this emergency order exempts hospitals from certain nurse-staffing requirements, while requiring that they must ensure that staffing levels remain adequate to meet patients’ needs, and staff is trained and competent to meet the needs of their patients. Read the Order

Permit Order: Governor Baker today is issuing an emergency order that provides that a permit will not expire or lapse during the state of emergency for most permits issued by agencies within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. The order also pauses deadlines for these agencies to decide or hold hearings on permit applications. The clock on those deadlines will resume 45 days after the end of the emergency. It also ensures that no permit is automatically issued because an agency is unable to make a decision on a permit application during the emergency.

Ensuring Access to Personal Care Attendant Services: The Administration worked with the advocacy community and union partners to implement solutions to ensure access to Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services for individuals with disabilities and older adults during this public health emergency. MassHealth created a hotline through MassOptions for MassHealth members to call if they are in need of services, and updated its policies to streamline the hiring process and allow more flexibility for PCAs to work more hours

MassUndocuFund for COVID-19 Relief要籌款100萬元協助失業無證件移民

(Boston Orange 編譯)新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)造成失業潮,無證件移民礙於身分,無法申請失業救濟,可能遭受更大衝擊。麻州非牟利團體MassUndocuFund for COVID-19 Relief正設法籌募100萬元,以資助這大約275000名無證件移民。
根據皮優(Pew)研究中心數據,麻州大約有275,000無證件居民,沒有資格申請失業救濟或州政府的其他補助。
餐館機會中心(Restaurant Opportunities Center),麻州正義的工作(Massachusetts Jobs with Justice)Matahari婦女工人中心,以及一份公平工資(One Fair Wage)等機構,因而攜手成立MassUndocuFund for COVID-19 Relief,希望籌款100萬元,幫助這些無證件移民度過難關。
這非牟利組織打算以每週發支票,直到疫情消退為止的方式,來幫助這些無證件移民。他們可以撥打一個安全電話號碼,提出申請,現在申請,大約下週五就能拿到支票。他們估計,若能籌得100萬元,大概可以幫到3000個家庭。
查詢相關資訊可上網了 massundocufund.org

已有15萬麻州人申請失業救濟


                  (Boston Orange 編譯) 在新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)衝擊下,全美申請失業救濟人數已超過330萬人,比1982年的紀錄還高。麻州也有將近148000人申請,演繹著疫情對人類社會可能在經濟上造成比在健康上更大的傷害。
             目前麻州已有1838人新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)確診,15人死亡。麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)為降低病毒廣泛傳播的可能,315日時宣佈,317日起所有餐館禁止堂食,中小學停課,聚會不得多於25人。許多餐館因此相繼歇業,申請失業救濟的人數就此每日攀升,並造成在314日至321日這短短7天內,就有將近15萬人的海量失業救濟申請(這數據未經季節性調整)
             麻州州長查理貝克也明白相關規定對餐飲業可能造成的衝擊,當天同時宣佈了廢除申請失業救濟須等一星期才能領款的規定。
             麻州行政人員稱失業救濟的申請之多,前所未見,就連經濟大蕭條時期,200812月最糟糕的那個星期,麻州也只有22,028人遞交了失業救濟申請。
             這情況全因為數以萬計的人,在全球出現健康緊急狀況下,全部同時失去工作。
            323日,麻州州長宣佈所有非基本必要企業也須暫時停止營業,直至47日止,餐館和其他企業因此繼續裁員中,麻州申請失業救濟的人數,恐怕還會繼續攀升。
             去年,在這同一個星期,麻州申請失業救濟的人只有4200多人。
             麻州的失業救濟金支付申請者平均週薪的50%,最高可達每週823元。
             根據全國勞動部上個月公佈的數據,麻州失業救濟基金約有1.74兆元,麻州在全美各州中,是儲備最糟的州之一。查理貝克政府2月時估計,2020年麻州會付出大約1.27兆元失業救濟金,跨入3月,現在恐怕已經是完全不同景象了。

波士頓警察共有4人COVID-19確診了


(Boston Orange編譯)波士頓警察局發言人25日表示,又有3名警察確診,加上之前的1人,現在有4名警察染患新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)了。
波士頓警察局發言人,偵查警官(Sergeant Detective) John Boyle表示,這四名男性警察都在居家隔離中,不需要住院。
John Boyle並未說明這4名警察是誰,或在哪個部門工作,但表示這3名警察和之前確診的那名警察沒有任何接觸。警察局正在調查有沒可能他們是在工作時感染了病毒。
他補充表示,警察局人手仍然充裕,正在計畫如何在更多警察被感染時,仍能繼續為波士頓服務。
他說波士頓警察局以發給警察們美國災害防控中心建議的保護設備,幫警察阻擋病毒傳播。他們遵守了聯邦疾病防治中心的第一線急救人員指南,發了個人防護設備給警察們,但為了警察的安全起見,他們不會公佈發了什麼樣的個人防護設備給警察。

星期三, 3月 25, 2020

MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES COVID-19 DATA DASHBOARDS FOR RESIDENTS


MAYOR WALSH LAUNCHES COVID-19 DATA DASHBOARDS FOR RESIDENTS 

Dashboards provide up-to-date information about COVID-19

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - Building on his commitment to keeping residents of Boston informed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the launch of two data analytic dashboards that allow Boston residents to easily track the number of cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The dashboards are part of a suite of digital tools available to residents, which include a  texting service available in six languages, online City services, and frequently updated resources and factsheets available on  boston.gov/coronavirus.

The first dashboard includes a day-by-day breakdown graph of the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and tracks daily updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the number of COVID-19 cases. 

The second COVID-19 dashboard  includes information specific to the City of Boston, including total daily cases, recovered cases, and total cases over time. The dashboard also tracks the levels of testing done throughout the United States. Together, these dashboards reflect up-to-date information about the status of coronavirus in Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States as a whole. 

"Ensuring residents have accurate, up to date information about the coronavirus is critical during this challenging time," said Mayor Walsh. "These dashboards are another resource for residents to gather information and stay informed as we follow public health guidelines to keep ourselves and each other safe." 

This data is updated when public data is released by the  Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The CDC updates their numbers each afternoon, Monday-Friday, and the MDPH updates their numbers each afternoon. The dashboards were created by the Department of Innovation and Technology's Citywide Analytics Team

Additional resources and information about COVID-19 is available on boston.gov/coronavirus. Resources available on boston.gov and through City departments, including support for small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; emergency childcare centers -- including 27 centers in Boston -- support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; transportation options for healthcare workers; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. 

For additional questions or programs, please visit  boston.gov/coronavirus or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 99411 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in six languages.

MAYOR WALSH EXTENDS ORDER PAUSING NON-ESSENTIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE CITY OF BOSTON


MAYOR WALSH EXTENDS ORDER PAUSING NON-ESSENTIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE CITY OF BOSTON

BOSTON - Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - Due to the public health emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced he is affirmatively extending the City of Boston's order to pause non-essential construction for City of Boston permitted sites. Mayor Walsh first announced this order on March 16, 2020, and sites should have been locked down for safety by March 23. Due to the public health emergency in Boston and across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this pause is still in effect until further notice. 

"The safety and health of construction workers and all residents of Boston is my first priority, and I am not willing to put that at risk as the virus spreads throughout our communities," said Mayor Walsh. "Large gatherings such as those at construction sites have been proven to escalate the spread of the virus, and Boston must do everything in its power to flatten the curve, and stop the spread of coronavirus." 

Mayor Walsh is working with various partners including construction firms and the building trades to determine protocols that would allow these sites to safely re-open in Boston. 

This policy only applies to projects permitted by the City of Boston. The City will still allow work that is essential to the safety and well-being of Boston's residents at this time, particularly work related to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

In addition to these construction projects, the City will, on a case-by-case basis, review requests for exemptions to the temporary construction moratorium. These may be granted by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services (ISDCommissioner@boston.gov) for building-related work or the Commissioner of Public Works for street-related work. These will be granted if they support increased public health and safety and precautions are taken to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 among workers.  

Additional details about the order can be found on boston.gov. The guidance order is available online.

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麻州學校停課至5月4日 政府將保護公屋租戶免於逼遷

麻州州長查理貝克和副州長白莉朵匯報疫情最新狀況。
                         (Boston Orange 編譯)麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)(25)日宣佈,所有公私立學校及非緊急托兒中心關閉日期延至五月四日,並將採取步驟保護屋主及低收入租戶,讓他們免於被逼遷(eviction)或贖回權被取消(forclosure)
麻州公共衛生廳也就超市、藥店發佈了新命令,包括要求這些企業每天至少撥出一小時專供60歲以上人士採購,提供洗手液或消毒濕巾,以及清潔採購車,經常會接觸的表面。
查理貝克在315日時下令學校從317日起關門三週,直至47日為止。現在關閉日期延長至54日,各學校原定春假的一週之後。波士頓市官員之前是要求學校關門至427日。
                 查理貝克表示,這不是學校假期延長,麻州中小學教育廳將在這段時間和各學區合作,進一步研發學生在家可以用的教育性項目,這也將是各學區為所有學生提供遠程學習的最佳機會。
                 這一學校關門日期的展延,並不適用於居家式特殊教育學校。
                已經生效了的學校關門命令,在全州各地已讓許多家長陷入困境。在波士頓,許多學生家裏沒有電腦,學區行政單位得為有需要的學生到處找Chromebooks
               許多老師,家長,倡議教育者都慫恿州政府教育當局取消今年的麻州標準測試(MCAS),稱學校關門時間的延長很可能造成重大的學習落差,會損害考試結果。
                  查理貝克表示,州政府將和WGBH公共電視台合作,為全州學童提供網上教育資源。WGBH也承諾在週一到週五的中午至下午5點之間,播出教育性內容。
                  查理貝克還說,麻州住宅部門官員將發佈指導原則給社區,暫緩由州政府資助低收入住宅的所有非緊急逼遷。
                    由於病毒大流行而面對居住危機的家庭,可經由州政府項目尋求最高4000元資助,申請細節可上網查mass.gov/dhcd
             查理貝克表示,州政府已告知金融機構首長,希望他們的取消贖回權行動能展延60天,向信用機構報告未繳款也至少緩個60天。
             在公共衛生命令方面,州政府下令所有的雜貨店,藥店,要確保社交距離,每天至少撥出一小時,專門服務60歲以上人士。所有店鋪都得為員工提供洗手液,消毒濕巾。自助食物站必須關閉,塑膠袋禁令取消。這些店鋪的員工如果覺得生病了,就不應該去上班。
             查理貝克在每日疫情匯報中表示,州政府已經在處理數以千計、萬計的失業福利申請,以申請數量之高來說,工作人員的表現很好,已經有人能夠從失業救濟系統中每週領到錢了。
             波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)今日稍早也做了疫情匯報,指出如果人們都能體察目前的限制,留在家中,遵守社交安全距離,就不需要再進一步的訂立什麼限制。
             他補充表示,由退休將軍Stanley McChrystal 所率領的McChrystal 集團正在和市政府合作,為最終可能無法避免的封城做準備。

麻州COVID-19確診病例暴增679宗 15人死亡

(Boston Orange編譯)麻州公共衛生廳(DPH)(25)日宣佈,州內新型冠狀病毒(COVID-19)確診人數新增679,總數升為1,838。死亡人數增至15,比昨天多了4人。迄今總共有19,794人做過病毒檢測,之前的數據是13,749

昆士市 COVID-19 疫情更新 36人確診

取自臉書(From facebook):
Tom Koch 市長3月25日新冠狀病毒資訊:大家晚安。今晚資訊如下:昆士市居民中有36例COVID-19新冠狀病毒陽性病例,昨天是24例。已經有八人康復,70人無症狀正自我隔離。我知道我們所有家長都不會太高興聽到今天省長發出關閉所有學校至少到5月4日的命令,作出這命令毫無疑問是為了每個人的安全著想。省長今天還稱暫時禁用可重用的環保袋,因重用的傳播病毒機會高,我知道我們花了幾個月告訴您放棄用膠袋之後,現在我們是用回紙袋和膠袋了。省長還提供了附加指引有關為何仍允許地盤繼續進行建設項目,還包括發佈一些條件,我們的檢查員將在項目現場執行這些條件。還有的是省長今天的命令指出,各個社區無權以自己的指令推翻省長的命令。
Good evening, everyone. Tonight's update below. There have been 36 positive COVID-19 cases involving Quincy residents, up from 24 yesterday. Eight people have recovered and 70 people are in self-isolation without symptoms.
I know all of our parents probably were not too thrilled to hear the Governor's order today closing all schools until at least May 4, but it is without question in the best interest of everyone's safety. The Governor today also prohibited the use of re-usable grocery bags for the time being. So we're going back to paper and plastic for a bit -- yes, I know, after we spent months telling you to give up the plastic. He also provided additional guidance on why construction projects are allowed to continue, including issuing a number of conditions that our inspectors will be enforcing on project sites. The order today stated that individual communities do not have the authority to overrule a state order with their own directives.
昆士市政府提供 (From City of Quincy):
The City of Quincy is working with the Federal & State Government to provide continued updates relative to resources available to the Business Community on COVID-19 information and alerts for funding/disaster business resources. This document will be updated regularly so please stay tuned….
The following is a list of resources for the business community:
COVID-19 – Disaster Relief with helpful links for immediate connection to these agencies. https://www.mass.gov/infodetails/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses

Small Business Administration Economic Disaster Loan (EDIL) Program

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has been activated statewide in Massachusetts. Updated details about the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan and how to apply is available here:
  • To learn more, go to: www.sba.gov/DISASTER
  • It is recommended that you apply on-line here at: disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
  • Customer Service Center can be reached at: 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
  • No cost to apply, small businesses are urged to submit applications immediately.
  • NEW 12-Month Deferment period for the first payment was approved for EIDL program.
  • NEW Expedited Processing for loans under $500,000 where the submission of current tax return is not required for small businesses.
  • Loans are available to assist with working capital needs.
  • SBA EIDL loans are for small businesses and private non-profits (of any size) that were previously profitable, but whose revenues have been adversely impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19 (since January 31, 2020). Loans can be up to $2 million and have a long-term repayment schedule of up to 30 years.
  • Sign-up for the latest updates at www.sba.gov/MA or follow @SBA_MA
  • Businesses can learn more about the SBA’s response to COVID19 here: https://www.sba.gov/page/guidance-businessesemployers-plan-respond-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

Resources for businesses and employees relating to employee benefits can always be found at the Office of Labor and Workforce Development's website.
Programs include:
Updated information regarding unemployment resources can be found here.
The WorkShare program, a tool to help employers avoid layoffs during a downturn – read more about WorkShare here.
The Rapid Response program, which works closely with companies to avert layoffs and keep a skilled workforce
engaged in the existing regional economy or industry; read more about how the Rapid Response Team can help businesses at the site found here.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting virtual town hall meetings featuring a step by step process to achieve a
successful unemployment claim. They will also take questions from claimants across the Commonwealth.
The current virtual town hall schedule is:
  • Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 11:10 AM
  • Friday, March 27, 2020 at 9:00 AM
  • Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 12:00 PM (Spanish Town Hall)
Click here to sign up for a virtual town hall via phone or online. A web link to the daily visual presentation can be viewed here. You can also download the step by step presentation.

The Division of Insurance

Click here for bulletin regarding flexibility in the issuance and administration of insurance during covid-19.

From the Governor

Governor Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers, and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon.
Detailed list of the services and operations deemed essential.
Governor’s press release with additional updates here. The latest information and guidance regarding COVID-19 is always available at mass.gov/COVID19.

MA’s Emergency Operations Center’s Private Sector Hotline

The Hotline will be staffed Monday – Friday from 8am to 4pm. The hotline is 508-820-2094.

City of Quincy Contacts

Maureen Geary
Director of Business & Government Relations
mgeary@quincyma.gov
617-435-1824
James Scribi
Business Relations
jamesscribi@quincyma.gov
617-780-2247

Please reach out to our State Business Partners:

Margaret Laforest
Regional Director, Greater Boston
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
margaret.laforest@mass.gov
617-939-3097
1515 Hancock Street, Suite 402
Quincy, MA 02169
www.mass.gov/mobd
Sue Whitaker
Regional Director – Greater Boston
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
617-620-1005
susan.whitaker@mass.gov
1515 Hancock Street, Suite 402
Quincy, MA 02169
www.mass.gov/mobd