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From: Cambridge Community Development Department - Economic Opportunity & Development <psaffari@cambridgema.gov>

Date: 08/30/2023 9:30 AM EDT

Subject: September 2023 EOD Newsletter

 

 

Upcoming workshops, grant opportunities and more

What's Inside   Increased Funding for Cambridge Small Business Grants  Take the Business Development Workshop Survey Upcoming Workshops Consider the Boosting Business Blocks (BBB) Grant for your district celebrations Cambridge Supplier Diversity Event - Sign Up Today LITC Education Workshop: Taxes for the Self-Employed 2023 AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund   Increased Funding for Cambridge Small Business Grants   The City of Cambridge now has larger grants for small businesses to make improvements – inside and outside their business. Businesses can apply for higher amounts to improve access, buy equipment, and make marketing upgrades. The Economic Opportunity and Development Division has also made grant terms more flexible.    Storefront Improvement Program   Cambridge property owners or business tenants are now eligible for up to $50,000. The cost of approved accessibility projects is reimbursed up to 90% ($25,000 maximum) and all other approved projects are reimbursed up to 50% ($25,000 maximum).   Learn more about the Storefront Improvement Program     Retail Interior Accessibility Program  Approved projects are now eligible for 90% reimbursement, up to $25,000. Learn more about the Retail Interior Accessibility Program    Small Business Enhancement Program   Cambridge brick and mortar small businesses owners can now receive up to $8,000 for equipment and marketing improvements. Home-based and co-working-based businesses are now eligible for up to $2,000.  Learn more about the Small Business Enhancement Program    For more information, contact the Economic Opportunity and Development Division at edd@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.     Take the Business Development Workshop Survey At the Economic Opportunity and Development Division (EOD), we want to help people and businesses in our city succeed. We do this by offering important programs and services that help businesses grow, including our free, business development workshops.   Your opinion is important: Your thoughts help us improve our workshops to meet the needs of our small business community. Please take a few minutes to fill out our short survey. Take the Business Development Workshop Survey   Upcoming Workshops   Supplier Diversity Marketing Bootcamp Series   Knowing Your Brand Capabilities Tuesday, September 12, 2023 Time: 5:30 –7:30 p.m. Location: Online via Zoom.   In this workshop, participants will discover and crystallize their unique value proposition. Through expert guidance, participants will learn how to clearly articulate their business's essence, target audience, and competitive edge. By the end of this workshop, each participant will have crafted their own compelling Capabilities Statement. This document not only showcases their business but also forms the foundation for their future pitches in various settings, including the City of Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair.   After Session One, ten (10) attendees will be able to also take advantage and register for session two:   Pitch Perfect Tuesday, September 19, 2023 Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Cambridge   Participants will learn the art of crafting a compelling narrative about their brand and its value. They will discover how to structure their pitch deck for maximum impact, using data and visuals effectively to support their story. Participants will also gain essential skills to excel in pitching to potential buyers and investors. They will learn to tailor their pitches to different audiences, ensuring their message resonates with diverse stakeholders. This will be an in-person session that provides the perfect setting for pitch practice and valuable feedback.   Registration is required. Click here to register for session one.   Steps to Starting Your Business Monday, September 25, 2023 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Location: Online via Zoom.    Are you starting a business or would like to start a business, but you are not sure what are the steps that it takes to launch your business? Come to our Steps to Starting Your Business workshop! This workshop outlines the various steps necessary to start your own business in Cambridge. As part of this workshop, you will: explore the process and learn about the risks and rewards of starting your own business; find out the first steps to start a business; and get an overview of resources available to help you move forward with your business idea. Presented by the Economic Opportunity and Development Division. Free to all.   Registration is required. Click here to register.   Consider the Boosting Business Blocks (BBB) Grant for your district’s holiday celebrations!   The BBB grant helps business associations and groups of businesses improve their commercial district or the businesses operating in it. The BBB grant pays for a part of project costs in the form of a reimbursement check after project completion. Past applicants have used the grant to pay for district holiday events, holiday decorations for groups of businesses, and marketing materials such as online shopping platforms that support holiday efforts. The fiscal year 2024 application is now available and can be downloaded by clicking here.    For more information, including a full list of past projects and photos, visit the BBB website. Questions can be directed to Christina DiLisio at 617/349-4601 or cdilisio@cambridgema.gov.    Save the Date: Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair: Tuesday, October 17, 2023   Cambridge diverse businesses (minority-owned / LGBTQ+ owned / disability-owned / veteran-owned / woman-owned / etc.) are invited to participate in our Supplier Diversity Fair and matchmaking event on Tuesday, October 17th at MIT. This event will help position small, diverse, and local businesses to take advantage of contracting opportunities from large companies and institutions in the area.   Complete this form if you are a diverse Cambridge business that provides goods and services and would like to participate in our matchmaking event on Tuesday afternoon, October 17th, 2023. Buyers from large institutions and companies including the City of Cambridge, MIT, Harvard University, Cambridge Health Alliance, and others will attend. We will confirm the details once you are registered.   Contact Allyson J. Allen for more information at aallen@cambridgema.gov   LITC Education Workshop: Taxes for the Self-Employed AACA Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) assists low-income taxpayers who are in controversy with the Internal Service Revenue or Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Services are free.   Self Employed Workshop   Date: Sunday, September 10th   Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   Address: AACA, Tyler Street, Boston, MA, 02111   Tel: 617-447-8429   Email: litc@aaca-boston.org     Click for more info on the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Workshop   2023 AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund   The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is designed to benefit Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander-owned restaurants across the country. With the industry facing ongoing economic challenges, the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is available to help under-resourced restaurants respond to supply chain disruptions, increased inventory costs, workforce development, and safety for their employees.   With over $4 million in funding awarded to nearly 270 AAPI businesses over the past 2 years, the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund continues to uplift the hard work and dedication of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander restaurant owners. The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund is made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund. AAPI 2023 Restaurant Fund info and application   ‌ ‌ ‌ CambridgeMA.gov/CDD

Cambridge Community Development Department | 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 Sent by psaffari@cambridgema.gov