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.
Learn more about their efforts to date.
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
Moving the Needle on Systems Change in Arts Philanthropy
By Stratton Lloyd and Lisa Payne Simon In this piece for the GIA Reader, the only national publication dedicated to the field of arts funding, ECCF’s Executive Vice President and COO Stratton Lloyd and Lisa Payne Simon, partner at The Philanthropic Initiative, discuss...
A Climate Resilient Essex County for all topic of ECCF’s latest Think Lab
By Michelle Xiarhos Curran Bouncing forward, not back, was the mantra for the day, as Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) gathered nearly 100 business, government, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders for a Think Lab that asked participants to envision a climate...
ECCF, MVPC Welcome New Merrimack Valley Arts & Culture Specialist
Haverhill resident Jenny Arndt to lead critical efforts to strengthen the creative sector One month into her role as the new Merrimack Valley Arts & Culture Specialist, Haverhill resident and artist Jenny Arndt has already immersed herself in learning about the...
ECCF’s Creative County ChangeMakers program graduates 11 Creative Leaders
Lawrence, MA – Eleven artists, municipal leaders and creative business owners graduated Oct. 26 from Essex County Community Foundation’s Creative County ChangeMakers program. The eight-month leadership support program – which includes facilitated and project-based...
ECCF Announces Beth Francis, President & CEO to Step Down in June 2024
The Board of Trustees at Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) announced today that President and CEO Beth Francis has decided to step down from her role at the foundation effective June 30, 2024. After eight years at ECCF, and six years leading and transforming...
crisis response
get in touch

Stratton Lloyd
Executive Vice President & COO
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