MALDEN SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The City of Malden and the Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA) have launched a 2021 Small Business Assistance Program to provide up to $10k in grants for COVID-19 relief to eligible Malden businesses. Businesses with five or fewer full-time employees and with a low-or-moderate-income business owner may be eligible to apply.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.cityofmalden.org/737/Small-Business-Assistance-Program-for-CO .

Program information, FAQs, and instructions on how to apply are available in English, simplified Chinese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. (Translated flyers are attached to this post)

The priority deadline is April 8th, 2021 at 11:59pm. Applicants that apply by this date will be entered into a lottery. Applicants who apply after the deadline will be added to the end of the waitlist.

THE MA OFFICE OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM AND VISITMA.COM RELEASE TOOLS TO PROMOTE LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE

1). The MA Office of Travel and Tourism is running a campaign to support local businesses called “My Local MA.” They’ve provided images (featured in this post) and a hashtag, #mylocalMA, for local businesses to share alongside their own business messages, allowing them to reach a wider audience through social media.

2). The Massachusetts statewide tourism website VisitMA.com is offering a fast and user-friendly tool for local businesses in the tourism industry to feature and promote their businesses for free.

To use this tool, visit www.VisitMA.com, choose the “Want to be Featured Here” button on the homepage, and fill in the subsequent form with your business’ information, photos, website, or store info—and know that this information can be updated at any time. VisitMA reaches domestic and international tourists.

MASSACHUSETTS RMV TO EXTEND SENIOR WEDNESDAY APPOINTMENT HOURS TO CUSTOMERS 65+ IN APRIL

Beginning today (March 24th, 2021), customers aged 65 and older will be able to book in-person transaction appointments in April during designated Wednesday senior hours online at www.mass.gov/rmv.

Eligible services during designated senior hours include driver’s license and ID renewals, as well as registration and title transactions.

These services are designed to offer customers 65 and older dedicated times and flexibility to conduct in-person renewals and transactions while facilitating “social-distancing” protocols to protect the safety of both customers and staff.

There are several options for those 65 and older to schedule in-person appointments during designated hours:

· AAA members may make reservations for renewals and certain other transactions at a AAA location. Visit aaa.com/appointments to schedule your visit.

· Non-AAA members may visit mass.gov/rmv to make reservations to renew or conduct most other transactions at an RMV Service Center. Visit the Make/Cancel a Reservation transaction tab in the myRMV Service Center portal and select “Senior Transaction” for all available RMV transactions. Reservations can be booked two weeks in advance.

· Email the RMV for assistance MassDOTRMVSeniors@dot.state.ma.us

· Call the RMV at 857-368-8005.

For additional information on RMV service offerings and appointments, visit www.mass.gov/rmv. There are more than 40 transactions can be conducted online, by mail, or by phone. The RMV recommends that all customers get ready online prior to their appointment.