---------- Original Message ----------From: Cambridge Community Development Department - Economic Opportunity & Development <psaffari@cambridgema.gov>To: rryals@comcast.netDate: 12/01/2022 7:01 PMSubject: December 2022 EOD Newsletter
What's Inside
- Shop Local This Holiday Season
- Apply to the BIPOC Business Advisory Committee
- Looking to Refresh Your Business? Apply for a Small Business Grant
- Updates to the COVID-19 Business Page
Shop Local This Holiday Season
Upcoming events include:
- Cambridge Arts Holiday Markets - December 1-3 and December 8-10
- South of Porter Square Holiday Stroll - Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Inman Square Holiday Stroll - Thursday, December 8, 6 - 8 p.m.
- 11th Annual Observatory Hill Holiday Stroll – Sunday, December 11, 3 - 6 p.m.
Apply to the BIPOC Business Advisory Committee
The City of Cambridge is looking for volunteers to serve on the Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Owned (BIPOC) Business Advisory Committee for a two (2) year term. The goal of this group is to work with City staff to build policies and programs to better assist BIPOC-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
The Committee has 13 members representing a range of business sectors (e.g. retail, restaurant, non-profit organizations, and personal and professional services) and the full diversity of the Cambridge BIPOC business community.
There are five (5) vacant seats. The deadline to apply is Monday, December 5 by 8 p.m.
Looking to Refresh Your Business? Apply for a Small Business Grant
Storefront Improvement Grant
Cambridge property owners or tenants can access financial resources to renovate or restore commercial building exterior facades through the Storefront Improvement Program. The Program improves the physical appearance of independent businesses and enhances Cambridge's commercial districts.This program provides:
- 90% matching grant up to $20,000 for ADA improvements to entrance, including ramps, lifts, doors hardware and automatic openers, accessible parking, and signage
- 50% matching grant up to $15,000 for other façade improvements, including better windows, paneling, architectural details, and restoration of historic features
- 50% matching grant up to $2,500 for signage, lighting, and awning improvements
See past examples of projects and view the grant application and guidelines on the Storefront Improvement Program webpage.
Small Business Enhancement Grant
The Small Business Enhancement (SBE) Program is a reimbursement grant program that helps eligible small for-profit businesses purchase equipment and materials associated with growing their business in Cambridge.
Home-based Cambridge businesses could be eligible for a reimbursement grant of up to $1,000 for marketing needs. Brick-and-mortar Cambridge businesses could be eligible for a reimbursement grant of up to $6,000 for marketing or equipment.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until April 2023.
Updates to the COVID-19 Business Assistance Page
Since March 2020, the City of Cambridge provided direct relief and technical assistance programs to help our small business community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The programs are funded through a mix of federal and local funds. As of August 2022, the city has provided over $6.6 million in direct relief programs.
Updated information on the page includes:
- Upcoming COVID-19 ARPA business grants
- List of past COVID-19 business grants
- Frequently asked questions
- Small Business Assistance Dashboard
- A link to the Small Business COVID-19 Grant Award Open Data Set
