Meetings Ahead
Some meetings in Provincetown are in person, some are online, and some are both. Click on the meeting you want to attend on the calendar at provincetown-ma.gov for a link to an agenda and details.
Thursday, Sept. 22
- Public Pier Corp. Board, 5 p.m., Town Hall
- Planning Board, 6 p.m., Town Hall
Monday, Sept. 26
- Select Board, 6 p.m., Town Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 27
- Licensing Board, 5:15 p.m., Town Hall
Wednesday, Sept. 28
- Historical Commission, 5 p.m., Public Library
- Human Services Committee, 5:15 p.m., VMCC
Conversation Starter
EIDL Loans Idle
In the wake of Provincetown’s two-day sewer shutdown on Aug. 11 and 12, town leaders discussed the possibility of activating the Small Business Administration’s economic injury disaster loan program, or EIDL. These loans became well known during the pandemic closures of 2020 and provide 30-year financing at 3.75-percent interest for businesses that have been significantly interrupted by external events.
To facilitate a disaster declaration, the town asked its licensed businesses to file economic injury worksheets with the Mass. Emergency Management Agency. When MEMA has evidence that five businesses have suffered substantial economic injury, Gov. Charlie Baker can request a disaster declaration from the SBA, which would allow businesses to apply for the loans.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 20, however, only two Provincetown businesses had filed economic injury worksheets with MEMA.
There is still plenty of time to do so, according to Tom Lyons, director of strategic partnerships at MEMA. The deadline for the governor to request the disaster declaration is not until early December.
The loans are for businesses that are unable to meet their obligations or pay their necessary expenses, such as rent or payroll. They are not intended to replace lost profits or sales, and they must be paid back. —Paul Benson
