To the editor:

COVID-19 has forced the closure of many of our local businesses.  Those that remain open have lost sales due to stay at home mandates.  We don’t know when things will return to normal but in the meantime, businesses are making hard decisions.  

Recently, the Federal Government passed a $2 trillion stimulus package that includes provisions for small businesses, which would include companies under 500 employees, to receive loans to assist with payroll and employee retention. But how does a business get started?  Commerce RI is a state agency that has set up a website dedicated to answering your questions.  They have volunteers waiting to help businesses navigate these difficult times.  You can complete a form and they promise they will return answers to your questions in a timely fashion.  Contact them at info@commerceri.com or www.commerceri.com.

Governor Gina Raimondo has also announced a $2 million fund establishing a short-term loan program to get immediate cash for distressed businesses with 10 or fewer employees.  Businesses seeking to take advantage of the new state program can call 401-521-HELP (4357) 

Many of our businesses do not have e-mails listed with the town. Many also do not have websites that would make it easy to pass along information quickly.  The EDC has been working on coming up with a current list.  However, at this time, the only way we can contact business is by mail or phone. 

After you check in with these resources, please take a minute and e-mail your business e-mail to edc@tiverton.ri.gov . We will also be adding new information as it becomes available on our website under Boards and Commission at  

www.tiverton.ri.gov

Keep safe.  Together we will all get through this.

Renee Jones

Tiverton Economic Development Commission