SPRINGFIELD – Speaking in the taproom of White Lion Brewing – a company that has been assisted by programs for small businesses – Gov. Charlie Baker announced a new state commitment to small business recovery and development.

He also affirmed his commitment to having people vaccinated against COVID-19.

Baker announced an additional $30 million in state funding for four grant programs administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC).

The funding includes:
• The award of $4 million to 45 non-profit technical assistance providers to continue working with small businesses and entrepreneurs from traditionally underserved communities to grow and expand their businesses;
• $14.7 million in awards to 15 organizations under MGCC’s Community Development Financial Institution and Community Development Corporation’s (CDFI and CDC) Match Grant Program, which funds both lending and mini-grant programs for small businesses.

MGCC President and CEO Larry Andrews announced two new programs backed by $11.3 million in state funds: the Biz-M-Power program and Empower Digital’s Development of Digital Capabilities grant program. The Biz-M-Power will use the power of crowdsourcing to raise funds for a new business.

He added both programs are designed to assist small businesses run by women, minorities and veterans. The programs recognize the challenges small businesses face in Gateway Cities, but also in rural areas.

To learn about the new programs go to https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/.

According to information supplied by the Baker Administration, the commonwealth has “distributed $705 million to 15,428 businesses in relief grants and loan forgiveness. MGCC loan recipients were given the opportunity to apply for forgiveness for their pandemic loans by demonstrating a significant adverse financial effect from COVID-19. Over the duration of the program, 43 percent of MGCC grants were awarded to minority-owned businesses, and 46 percent of grants went to women-owned businesses. Recovery efforts have also included MGCC Small Business Technical Assistance grants and matching grants for Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Development Corporations; the $1.6 million Travel and Tourism Recovery Grant Pilot Program to promote recovery in the tourism industry; a ‘Let’s Go Out’ restaurant promotion campaign; and a $9.5 million effort underway to help 125 communities pursue locally-driven, actionable strategies to support downtown and commercial districts through the Local Rapid Recovery Planning program.”

White Lion Founder Raymond Berry Jr. expressed his appreciation to state and local officials for the business assistance he received in not just creating his taproom at Tower Square but also establishing the first brewery in Springfield for decades.

Berry will celebrate the opening of the new taproom on June 26.

On the vaccination effort, Baker announced the new lottery program to encourage – or reward – vaccinations. According to a recent press release, “Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway for residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated residents 18 and older will have the opportunity to enter to win of five, $1 million cash prizes. Fully vaccinated residents between 12-17 years of age may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants. Eligible residents will be able to enter the drawing beginning July 1. Drawings will take place once a week for five weeks beginning the week of July 26 and continuing through the week ending  Aug. 27.”

“If that is what it takes I don’t care. I just want you to get vaccinated,” Baker said. He noted that four million of the commonwealth’s seven million residents have been fully vaccinated to date.

For more information on the Mass VaxMillions Giveaway, go to mass.gov/VaxMillions.

When asked about Hampden County’s low vaccination rate, Baker explained Hampden County has the youngest population in the state and younger people have “to be coaxed.”

He added, “We’re not going to stop.”