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...
get in touch

Stratton Lloyd
President & CEO
978-777-8876 x126
s.lloyd@eccf.org
community voices
“Small businesses are not faint at heart, we are not easily defeated; we’re knocked down; but we’re not out.”
– Kellee Twadelle,
Owner, Rose & Dove, North Andover