Friday News Podcast: Beverly Closing in on 2021 Budget Without Layoffs; Peabody Council Approves Temporary Outdoor Dining

Below – Weather – Salem Grant Program – Video of the Day “Bowling”

Beverly closing in on 2021 budget, without layoffs; Peabody council approves temporary outdoor dining; Cape Ann libraries set to reopen; Lynn lifts overnight COVID-19 curfew; Manchesterbythesea beaches open up a little more

North Shore Today newscast with Bill Newell and Rick Moore

Weather – Watch for another round of rain late today, overnight

Salem Announces START Grants for Small Businesses and Nonprofits

$718,250 awarded to 49 Salem businesses and nine non-profit organizations

SALEM – Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll today announced that the City has awarded $718,250 in Salem Together Assistance & Recovery Toolkit (START) grants. A total of $219,000 was awarded to 51 local small businesses and $502,250 distributed to nonprofits, with the largest amount, $250,000, provided to North Shore Community Action Programs (NSCAP) to fund an emergency rental assistance program for low-income Salem tenants.

For the business recipients, all awardees have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis, whether having struggled with reduced sales, having to lay off employees, or, in some cases, closing their doors altogether. The nonprofit grants were awarded to agencies and organizations providing direct assistance or support to families, workers, and seniors suffering due to the pandemic.

The START grants are funded through a combination of federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant funds and City funds. Grants to small businesses ranged from $2,000 to $5,500 and to nonprofits – excluding NSCAP’s award to fund the rental assistance program – they ranged from $8,000 to $60,340.

“Our local business community is struggling, as are so many of our more vulnerable residents” said Mayor Driscoll. “I hope that this funding can provide a small boost to Salem’s businesses and residents, help them better weather this crisis, and reassure them that their City is here for them and we’ll work to get through this unprecedented time together.”

Small Business START Grant Recipients

A&J King Artisan Bakers 139 Boston Street	Adeas Mediterranean Kitchen 90 Lafayette Street	Adriatic Restaurant and Bar 155 Washington Street
Amie Marie Hair Salon 123 ½ Boston Street	Bambolina 288 Derby Street	Black Veil 137 Boston Street
Body & Soul Massage 111 Canal Street	Bonchon 299 Essex Street	Botanica San Miguel 113 Lafayette Street
Brodies Seaport 215 Derby Street	Circle of Stitches 66 Wharf Street	Coon’s Card & Gift Shop 226 Essex Street
Creative Collective 265 Essex Street	D’Bonny Barbershop 107 Lafayette Street	Debra Macki Cosmetics 8 Front Street
Die With Your Boots On 77 Wharf Street	Dotty and Ray’s 112 North Street	East Regiment Beer Co. 30 Church Street
Emporium 32 6 Central Street	Erika’s Barbershop & Salon 123 Lafayette Street	The Fame Pickering Wharf Marina
The Finery Shop 63 Wharf Street	Freedom Massage Witch City Mall	Golden Nails Witch City Mall
Hair Avenue 400 Highland Avenue	Harbor Sweets 85 Leavitt Street	Hayden Safe & Lock Co. 119 Webb Street
Jaho Coffee & Tea 197 Derby Street	J’s Automotive Warehouse 7 Oak Street	Kokeshi 41 Lafayette Street
Laura Lanes Skin Care 242 Essex Street	Mahi Mahi Cruises 24 Congress Street	Melo & Sons Upholstery 16 Proctor Street
Mercy Tavern 82 Webb Street	Moody’s Interiors 131 Essex Street	Moon Baby Hair Salon 302 Essex Street
New England Magic 131 Essex Street	North Shore Driving School 11 Gedney Street	Oak + Moss 143 Washington Street
Olde Main Street Pub 121 Essex Street	Pickering Wharf Antiques 69 Wharf Street	Prolific Barbers 10 Jefferson Avenue
Roost & Company 40 Front Street	Salem Chiropractic Center 111 Canal Street	Saraibyday 149 North Street
Silver Moon Comics Witch City Mall	Spinale Automotive 34 Bridge Street	Walyo’s Variety 20 Essex Street
Wicked Good Books 215 Essex Street	Witch City Lobster Winter Island Road	The Witchery 61 Wharf Street

Nonprofit START Grant Recipients

Agency	Program Name	Use of funds
NSCAP	Emergency Rental Assistance Program	Rental assistance of $500/month for up to 2 months to those whose incomes have been affected by income loss.
Lifebridge	Homeless Day Support and Outreach	Expand homeless day center to 5 days per week.
Citizens Inn	Haven From Hunger COVID-19 Response	Provision of groceries for Salem residents.
HAWC	COVID-19 Emergency Shelter Services	Temporary relocation of shelter residents to enable social distancing.
Salem Pantry	COVID-19 Program Expansion	Expand existing program to provide more food and longer hours to accommodate increases of participants.
YMCA	COVID Emergency Childcare	Childcare for essential works unable to stay home during quarantine.
NSCDC	Point Neighborhood COVID-19 Response	Wellness program to connect Point residents with services, referrals, and care packages.
Enterprise Center	Salem Small Business Technical Assistance Services Program	Provision of technical services and peer group advisory support to small businesses made vulnerable as a result of COVID-19.
Salem COA	Self-Care Items for Salem Seniors	Provide self-care essentials for seniors in Salem Housing Authority units, senior housing sites, and individual homes.