Shop local: Supporting small businesses is an intentional act that makes a big impact “I get it. It’s easy to shop on Amazon. Running low on toilet paper? Need lightbulbs? Want a bath caddy on a whim? With two clicks and even less thought, the item you need/want/desire is at your doorstep, often in 48 [continue reading]

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts helped nonprofits survive COVID “In October, the community foundation awarded $2 million to nonprofit organizations that were struggling to survive in the midst of the pandemic, yet would be able to get their footing with some additional support.” Read the full article at MassLive.com . [continue reading]

Companies Find Imaginative, Fun Ways To Help Employees Cope With A Crisis “Overall, business owners and managers are recognizing that their valued employees — the ones who remain after many others have been furloughed or laid off — are tired, worried about the future, ‘Zoomed out’ (another phrase you hear a lot these days), unable [continue reading]

Daily Hampshire Gazette, September 1, 2020
Restaurants are among the businesses hit hardest by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. Their closures in late winter had a big impact on the larger community, causing significant job loss, upending markets for local farmers, and depriving us of important community gathering places.
In [continue reading]

First: Apply for a MA Food Security Infrastructure Grant by September 15thSecond: Apply for Bridge Financing from PVGIF or MFTP MA Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program Great Opportunity! Massachusetts launched the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program to support the local food system during this challenging time. Eligible proposals include, but are not limited to, projects seeking to: …
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As Massachusetts moves to Phase 3 of coronavirus reopening plan, gyms, movies theaters, museums and other establishments get the green light to start operating again Read the full article here: masslive.com [continue reading]

MassDOT launches Shared Streets and Spaces grant program “MassDOT dot is launching a new grant program Monday [June 22] for shared streets and spaces: “The program is hoping to encourage municipalities to make changes to streetscapes, roads, parking lots to encourage social distancing, but also more outdoor activities this summer – walking, biking, scootering, dining [continue reading]

The Spring 2020 Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter, is now available online.
The post The Cultivator – Spring 2020 appeared first on Cornucopia Institute . [continue reading]

Covid Stories: Shell-shocked Businesses Respond with Grit, Determination BusinessWest shares the stories of 10 local business owners about their journey through this pandemic. Read the full article here: https://businesswest.com/blog/covid-stories/ [continue reading]

EASTHAMPTON, MA (WGGB/WSHM) — One of the big industries impacted by the coronavirus crisis is the meat industry, leading to shortages at many grocery store chains.
However, butchers in western Massachusetts we spoke to said their locally-sourced supply is still available.
“People have gone from buying their meat on a philosophical basis to [continue reading]