News Stories

The City of Cambridge is reviewing the plan released today by the Baker-Polito Administration for the reopening of businesses in the Commonwealth and has announced City-specific construction activity guidance.

The City of Cambridge announced that grant and loan applications are now available for Cambridge small businesses through the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund for small businesses and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (“CRA”) Loan Program. Grant applications will only be available from May 15, 2020 until May 29, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Over the past three weeks, 20 employees with the City of Cambridge have contacted more than 7,000 senior residents throughout the community. This effort, which is being led by the City Manager’s Office, is intended to connect directly with seniors to determine if they have any questions, concerns or needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of Cambridge announced that it will further expand COVID-19 testing for Cambridge residents via a new mobile testing pilot program that will initially be launched in The Port neighborhood and in all senior housing buildings overseen by the Cambridge Housing Authority.

The Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program is a complementary grant program to the city’s Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant. It is a special program helping Cambridge’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) eligible for-profit retail, food, personal services, and creative businesses with a grant up to $10,000 per brick and mortar business. The program provides short-term working capital assistance to support businesses with inventory purchases (perishable and non-perishable), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) purchases or upgrades, and rent payments to enable businesses to open and ensure the retention of jobs after the severe interruption of business related to COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

The City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Library announced this week that they are distributing donated books to Cambridge youth, as well as community members staying at the temporary emergency shelter at the War Memorial Recreation Center. The donation of books keeps with the Library’s dedication to promote literacy and bridge gaps in access during the Library’s closure as a result of COVID-19.

Fresh Pond Golf Course will remain closed to golf activities while the City assesses the potential public health impacts and operational logistics involved with opening the golf course.

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) will offer COVID-19 testing to all Cambridge residents via a stand-alone testing center at the CHA East Cambridge Care Center (163 Gore St., Cambridge). The service will launch on Friday, May 8. Cambridge residents eight years of age and older are welcome, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Individuals MUST CALL to set up an appointment using a new hotline number at 617-665-2928.

Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale announced the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund has distributed nearly $1 million to 629 Cambridge residents and families financially impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Residents who are hoping to receive assistance from the Fund must apply by 5:00 p.m. on May 15.

As shelter in place continues to be the norm and schools remain closed across the country, Comcast announced today it will extend its commitments for Xfinity customers through June 30 to help ensure students can finish out the school year from home and remain connected to the internet during the COVID-19 crisis.