Resources for Employers
You may have questions about your role as an employer. This site provides answers to common questions about workers and business.
You may have questions about your role as an employer. This site provides answers to common questions about workers and business.
How to start an LLC in Massachusetts
Getting a new business off the ground is no easy task. Even the initial formation process – where you register your business as a legal entity – can feel complex. Here is a guide to help start an LLC in Massachusetts.
Getting a new business off the ground is no easy task. Even the initial formation process – where you register your business as a legal entity – can feel complex. Here is a guide to help start an LLC in Massachusetts.
City of Taunton Business and Development Guide
The City of Taunton has published a Business and Development Guide to assist residents, businesses, and prospective developers in more easily navigating the permitting process in Taunton. The Business and Development Guide, created by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) and funded by the Community Compact Grant Program, serves to improve the permitting process by making it more user-friendly. The information is organized in a way that allows permit seekers to follow step-by-step instructions for opening a restaurant, starting a business, or developing a property. It comes complete with a comprehensive directory and contact list for all City Departments that issue permits. A digital version of the Guide can be viewed and downloaded here.
The City of Taunton has published a Business and Development Guide to assist residents, businesses, and prospective developers in more easily navigating the permitting process in Taunton. The Business and Development Guide, created by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) and funded by the Community Compact Grant Program, serves to improve the permitting process by making it more user-friendly. The information is organized in a way that allows permit seekers to follow step-by-step instructions for opening a restaurant, starting a business, or developing a property. It comes complete with a comprehensive directory and contact list for all City Departments that issue permits. A digital version of the Guide can be viewed and downloaded here.
Town of Dighton Business Guide
The Town of Dighton Business Guide is a supplemental guide to navigating municipal permits and licenses in order to open and operate a business in Dighton. It is a useful tool and was created to assist you as you build your business. In this guide, you will find helpful tips and contact information for departments as you navigate the process that best suits your business needs. This guide is not all-inclusive, so please feel free to contact the relevant local officials an d departments with any questions you may have. The Town of Dighton is committed to the success of its businesses and will happily assist any business looking to locate to Dighton by streamlining the permitting process. View the Guide here.
The Town of Dighton Business Guide is a supplemental guide to navigating municipal permits and licenses in order to open and operate a business in Dighton. It is a useful tool and was created to assist you as you build your business. In this guide, you will find helpful tips and contact information for departments as you navigate the process that best suits your business needs. This guide is not all-inclusive, so please feel free to contact the relevant local officials an d departments with any questions you may have. The Town of Dighton is committed to the success of its businesses and will happily assist any business looking to locate to Dighton by streamlining the permitting process. View the Guide here.
Small Business Resource Toolkit
This Small Business Resource Toolkit serves as a reference source for small business owners throughout Massachusetts, who may not have the ability or time to access resources to create or maintain their business. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide important information related to business planning, maintenance, and growth. Learn more here.
This Small Business Resource Toolkit serves as a reference source for small business owners throughout Massachusetts, who may not have the ability or time to access resources to create or maintain their business. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide important information related to business planning, maintenance, and growth. Learn more here.
Top Small Business Grants for Women in 2023
Grants exist for all types of reasons, but they aren't easy to come by. For a woman business owner seeking financing, the ultimate fantasy is receiving a grant. That’s because grants, unlike loans, don’t need to be repaid. Nor do they require you to give up any percentage of your ownership as equity investors do. As women entrepreneurs have increasingly become a significant force in the small business universe, it’s somewhat easier for some to get financing, and fewer grant programs specifically aimed at women exist. However, there still are several worth checking out. View the list here.
Grants exist for all types of reasons, but they aren't easy to come by. For a woman business owner seeking financing, the ultimate fantasy is receiving a grant. That’s because grants, unlike loans, don’t need to be repaid. Nor do they require you to give up any percentage of your ownership as equity investors do. As women entrepreneurs have increasingly become a significant force in the small business universe, it’s somewhat easier for some to get financing, and fewer grant programs specifically aimed at women exist. However, there still are several worth checking out. View the list here.
Free Services for Business Owners -
Understanding Exit Planning Process & Options
As you think about the future, are you –and your business – ready? As many as 28,000 Massachusetts small businesses could sell or close over the next several years. For every business that sells, 9 will close. With funding from the MA Growth Capital Corporation, CDI provides a free feasibility study for eligible business owners who want to plan or begin to plan for their eventual exit. Learn more here.
Understanding Exit Planning Process & Options
As you think about the future, are you –and your business – ready? As many as 28,000 Massachusetts small businesses could sell or close over the next several years. For every business that sells, 9 will close. With funding from the MA Growth Capital Corporation, CDI provides a free feasibility study for eligible business owners who want to plan or begin to plan for their eventual exit. Learn more here.
Let SCORE business advisors help you navigate the SBA Debt Relief Programs or the start-up and growth of your small business. All services are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. If you are an existing SCORE client, please send an email to your SCORE counselor to schedule a phone call or Zoom conference. If you are new to SCORE, please complete the Request a Mentor form and someone from SCORE will contact you via email to schedule an appointment with an advisor. Learn more at sema.score.org.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, preserve free competitive enterprise and maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Learn more here.
South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation is a regional nonprofit economic development corporation with the mission of empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening local economies, and creating jobs by financing all types of small businesses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. With loan programs ranging from $1,000 micro loans to $5.5 million SBA 504 loans and a long history of assisting small business owners, SEED is a one-stop shop for anyone looking to start-up, grow, or streamline their business. Learn more at seedcorp.com.
The MA Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) is the leader in providing small business owners and entrepreneurs in Massachusetts with the tools and guidance needed to become successful in today's challenging economic climate. We provide free and confidential one-to-one business advice to prospective and existing small businesses focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis. In addition, low-cost educational training programs are offered across the state targeted to the needs of small business. Learn more at msbdc.org.
MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth. Through these collaborations we help create jobs, increase the number of housing units, revitalize urban environments, and address factors limiting economic growth including transportation, energy, and infrastructure deficiencies. Learn more at massdevelopment.com.
The Center for Women & Enterprise is a nationally known nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses. CWE has worked with more than 65,000 Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont entrepreneurs since 1995. CWE also operates the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) that focuses on assisting veterans, active-duty service members and their families with starting and growing their business. Learn more here.
PFML Update: What You Need to Know
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is always improving. Each quarter, the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) provides you with a listing of the changes and updates that were made over the last three months. These links give you access to the most current information about PFML and provides resources for both employers and employees.
1. Updated: 2023 workplace posters and workforce notifications
2. Updated: PFML 2023 Maximum Benefit Amount
3. Updated: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) videos - translated into Spanish and Portuguese
4. Updated: How PFML weekly benefit amounts are calculated and/or changed
5. Updated: Filling out the Certification of Your Serious Health Condition form
6. New: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Instructional Webinars
7. New: Add or remove leave administrators from your organization(s) on the PFML dashboard
8. New: Change Email associated with your PFML account
9. New: 2022 PFML Annual Report
10. New: PFML coverage for statutorily excluded employers
11. Updated: PFML 2023 employer contribution rates and calculator
Additionally, here is a list of recent updates that you can use to educate your employees.
1. Updated: PFML overview and benefits
2. Updated: How PFML weekly benefit amounts are calculated and/or changed
3. Updated: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) videos - translated into Spanish and Portuguese
4. Updated: PFML 2023 Maximum Benefit Amount
5. Updated: PFML 2023 Employee calculator
6. Updated: Filling out the Certification of Your Serious Health Condition form
7. New: Change Email associated with your PFML account
8. New: Claimants can request modifications to their leaves - Claimants can now use the Claimant Portal to request adding a bonding leave to their medical pregnancy claim and withdraw their applications
9. New: Appealing a paid family or medical leave decision - Claimants can now appeal through the application website
10. Updated: Your benefit year - The benefit year is unique to the employee and is based on when they take time off through any leave program
11. Updated: Intermittent leave - This is when an employee needs to take time off here and there, sometimes in unpredictable intervals
If you have any more questions, please call (833) 344-7365 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is always improving. Each quarter, the Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) provides you with a listing of the changes and updates that were made over the last three months. These links give you access to the most current information about PFML and provides resources for both employers and employees.
1. Updated: 2023 workplace posters and workforce notifications
2. Updated: PFML 2023 Maximum Benefit Amount
3. Updated: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) videos - translated into Spanish and Portuguese
4. Updated: How PFML weekly benefit amounts are calculated and/or changed
5. Updated: Filling out the Certification of Your Serious Health Condition form
6. New: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Instructional Webinars
7. New: Add or remove leave administrators from your organization(s) on the PFML dashboard
8. New: Change Email associated with your PFML account
9. New: 2022 PFML Annual Report
10. New: PFML coverage for statutorily excluded employers
11. Updated: PFML 2023 employer contribution rates and calculator
Additionally, here is a list of recent updates that you can use to educate your employees.
1. Updated: PFML overview and benefits
2. Updated: How PFML weekly benefit amounts are calculated and/or changed
3. Updated: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) videos - translated into Spanish and Portuguese
4. Updated: PFML 2023 Maximum Benefit Amount
5. Updated: PFML 2023 Employee calculator
6. Updated: Filling out the Certification of Your Serious Health Condition form
7. New: Change Email associated with your PFML account
8. New: Claimants can request modifications to their leaves - Claimants can now use the Claimant Portal to request adding a bonding leave to their medical pregnancy claim and withdraw their applications
9. New: Appealing a paid family or medical leave decision - Claimants can now appeal through the application website
10. Updated: Your benefit year - The benefit year is unique to the employee and is based on when they take time off through any leave program
11. Updated: Intermittent leave - This is when an employee needs to take time off here and there, sometimes in unpredictable intervals
If you have any more questions, please call (833) 344-7365 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
