Deputy Director of the Office of Business Development for the City of Boston, Rafael Carbonell came to speak to CBA Members at an event hosted by the Constitution Inn, April 28th, 2010. Mr. Carbonell presented an outline of the city's current programs targeted to small businesses and updated members on any new changes that might be taking place with these programs. Mr. Carbonell was also kind enough to open up the floor to questions, as many CBA expressed issues that small local businesses face.
Some of the issues businesses expressed included lack of parking for employees and customers, loans for small business, and space availability. The Department would like help deal with issues that businesses are having and have recently assigned Charlestown it's own representative. The Neighborhood Business Manager for Charlestown is Maria Di Stefano, mdistefano.dnd@cityofboston.gov 617-635-0078, and she will be helping businesses make the most use out of these programs offered by the city, along with address concerns or issues small businesses might be having.
The City of Boston Dept. of Business Development would like to promote the following initiatives to help assist Charlestown and City Businesses.
Programs include:
Small Business Assistance
Boston Small Business Resource Guide - A guide designed to help business owners navigate the process of starting, expanding, or relocating a business.
Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative – Designed to provide restaurants with a variety of targeted resources ranging from business development, to licensing and permitting assistance, to marketing and design.
ReStore Boston – Designed to assist neighborhood business and property owners with storefront improvements with professional design services, signage, security measures, and general repairs. Economic Development
Boston Buying Power – A cost-saving initiative that allows small businesses to purchase energy at a long-term fixed price through access to the deregulated energy market.
Boston Community Change – A neighborhood-based customer loyalty program that allows you to Shop Locally, Share Locally.
Boston Invests in Growth – A loan pool designed to jumpstart well-financed construction projects, create jobs, and strengthen Boston’s economy.
Partners with Nonprofits – Provides matching grants up to $25,000 to help nonprofit organizations enhance the infrastructure of facilities that serve the immediate community. Other Resources
Boston Local Development Corporation– Provides loans of up to $150,000 for existing businesses or to those relocating to the City of Boston.
Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority – Issues bonds to finance the capital needs of Boston businesses and institutions.
Boston Connnects, Inc. / Empowerment Zone – a 5.8 square mile area of Boston designated by the federal government to ensure responsible development and sustained community revitalization in areas that have experienced years chronic divestment.
The CBA would like to thank all members who participated and attended the meeting, along with The Constitution Inn and Sorelle Bakery Cafe for providing lunch. For more info about the Charlestown Business Association, www.charlestownbusiness.com
Some of the issues businesses expressed included lack of parking for employees and customers, loans for small business, and space availability. The Department would like help deal with issues that businesses are having and have recently assigned Charlestown it's own representative. The Neighborhood Business Manager for Charlestown is Maria Di Stefano, mdistefano.dnd@cityofboston.gov 617-635-0078, and she will be helping businesses make the most use out of these programs offered by the city, along with address concerns or issues small businesses might be having.
The City of Boston Dept. of Business Development would like to promote the following initiatives to help assist Charlestown and City Businesses.
Programs include:
Small Business Assistance
Boston Small Business Resource Guide - A guide designed to help business owners navigate the process of starting, expanding, or relocating a business.
Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative – Designed to provide restaurants with a variety of targeted resources ranging from business development, to licensing and permitting assistance, to marketing and design.
ReStore Boston – Designed to assist neighborhood business and property owners with storefront improvements with professional design services, signage, security measures, and general repairs. Economic Development
Boston Buying Power – A cost-saving initiative that allows small businesses to purchase energy at a long-term fixed price through access to the deregulated energy market.
Boston Community Change – A neighborhood-based customer loyalty program that allows you to Shop Locally, Share Locally.
Boston Invests in Growth – A loan pool designed to jumpstart well-financed construction projects, create jobs, and strengthen Boston’s economy.
Partners with Nonprofits – Provides matching grants up to $25,000 to help nonprofit organizations enhance the infrastructure of facilities that serve the immediate community. Other Resources
Boston Local Development Corporation– Provides loans of up to $150,000 for existing businesses or to those relocating to the City of Boston.
Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority – Issues bonds to finance the capital needs of Boston businesses and institutions.
Boston Connnects, Inc. / Empowerment Zone – a 5.8 square mile area of Boston designated by the federal government to ensure responsible development and sustained community revitalization in areas that have experienced years chronic divestment.
The CBA would like to thank all members who participated and attended the meeting, along with The Constitution Inn and Sorelle Bakery Cafe for providing lunch. For more info about the Charlestown Business Association, www.charlestownbusiness.com
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