merrimack valley

business relief and

resiliency

The September 2018 gas crisis in the Merrimack Valley caused total disruption to the business community. Nearly 850 businesses were forced to close, thousands of employees lost their jobs and nearly two years later, the impacts of the crisis continue to challenge the local economy.

A broad coalition, including ECCF, responded quickly to address the acute challenges of the impacted businesses. Their immediate advocacy resulted in Columbia Gas providing $10 million to support the recovery and rebuilding of the local economy. The coalition continues working today to create resiliency and growth in the region.

Responding to COVID-19

Today, the coalition continues to mobilize, collaborate and expand to address the pandemic’s impact on small businesses. The coalition has pivoted to work to support thousands of businesses with:

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan support
acquisition and dissemination of personal protective equiptment (PPE) required to reopen
broad and deep technical assistance for the business most impacted across the Merrimack Valley

merrimack valley small business coalition

City of Lawrence
Town of Andover
Town of North Andover
Essex County Community Foundation
Lawrence Partnership
EforAll/EparaTodos
Mill Cities Community Investments
Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board / MassHire
Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation
Assistance from state and federal delegations

september 2020 update report

business relief news

Nonprofits reveal impacts and concerns over funding cuts and current landscape

ECCF holds first briefing to connect Essex County nonprofit organizations with legislators By Michelle Xiarhos Curran ECCF COMMUNICATIONS WRITER Last year, The Salem Pantry provided 9,300 households – more than 30,000 individuals – with access to fresh, healthy...

ECCF to Nonprofits: ‘We’re committed to doing everything we can’

Community Foundation launches Essex County Community Response Fund to help orgs fill gaps, meet increased demand Beverly, MA – In Essex County, nonprofits navigating the fallout – or looming prospect – of losing government funding are laying off staff, crafting...

‘We Can’t Walk Away’

The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s Phil Buchanan addresses funders at ECCF Summit By Michelle Xiarhos Curran ECCF COMMUNICATIONS WRITER By the end of his keynote address, and after all the questions had been asked and answered, the message that Center for...

A commitment to a climate resilient Essex County

ECCF launches regional coalition, announces investment in local, collaborative climate solutions Beverly, Mass --- Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), a nonprofit grantmaker and convener dedicated to improving the lives of people in Essex County, recently...

In Amesbury, nonprofit Theater in the Open to turn City Hall into a circus

‘City Hall Circus’ is one of many exciting arts and culture projects supported by ECCF’s Creative County In Amesbury, when you want to attend a City Council meeting, obtain a building permit or renew Fido’s dog license, you go to City Hall. But this fall, the brick...