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