In full transparency, the following is a press release from the Baker-Polito administration submitted to SOURCE media.
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BOSTON — Today, March 4, the Baker-Polito Administration announced approximately $39.7 million in awards for 1,026 additional businesses in the ninth round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). As in prior rounds, each grant recipient meets sector and demographic priorities set for the two grant programs administered by MGCC.
With the addition of this round of grants, the Administration has awarded over $602 million in direct financial support to 13,346 businesses across the Commonwealth.
“Our administration is pleased to award this latest round of direct financial support to 1,026 additional businesses hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “As the largest program of its kind in the nation, we are proud that Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation grants have now reached 13,346 businesses across the Commonwealth.”
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“Recognizing the significant challenges the pandemic has created for businesses throughout Massachusetts, we are glad to provide this continued support as we work toward recovery,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration is grateful to MGCC for their partnership and hard work administering this grant program, ensuring these critical resources go directly to the businesses that serve the communities and neighborhoods in greatest need.”
As announced last month, MGCC has also begun engaging directly with applicants that met sector and demographic priorities, but were missing documents necessary to be considered for an award.
“Understanding how important this grant program is to our strategy for economic recovery, it is critical to work closely with businesses to ensure anyone who applied and was eligible for an award can receive it,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. “I want to express my deep gratitude to the team at MGCC for their diligence in working with program applicants seeking support. Thanks to their efforts, grant recipients for this round and the prior round are comprised entirely of eligible applicants who were able to provide all the necessary documentation to receive an award.”
Among the sectors that received the highest total number of grants this round are: restaurants, bars, caterers, or food trucks (280); personal services businesses (207); and independent retailers (153).
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Additionally, grants for this round were awarded to 295 minority-owned, and 406 women-owned, businesses; 295 recipients are located in Gateway Cities, and 329 businesses awarded grants have not received any prior aid.
With public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction, including a decline in average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations, and as vaccination rates continue to increase, the Administration is taking steps to gradually reopen the Commonwealth’s economy.
On Monday, March 1, 2021, the Commonwealth advanced to Step 2 of Phase III of the Administration’s reopening plan.
In addition, the Administration also recently announced its plan to transition to Step 1 of Phase IV on Monday, March 22, provided that public health metrics continue to improve.
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MetroWest Medical Center