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Targeted Relief Grants Expected for Small Businesses
UPDATE: More state funding may be coming for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic. The American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) spending bill awaiting signature by Governor Charlie Baker includes $75 million for Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) to offer grant relief for certain small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to cover payroll, mortgage interest, rent, utilities and other debt obligations.
At least $50 million must go to businesses owned by or serving certain disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups and people, with at least $25 million earmarked for pandemic-affected businesses that did not qualify for previous grants because they did not have a revenue loss in calendar year 2020. Assuming the program is not vetoed, we’ll share the details with you as soon as we can.
Are you a small business looking to develop an online storefront?
Small Business Strong's advisors can help you build an ecommerce strategy to grow your business. Connect with an advisor today.
Crowdfunding for your Small Business Session, Dec. 20th
Using crowdfunding to raise capital for your business is now easier than ever! Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is partnering with crowdfunding platform Patronicity to make available up to $20,000 of 1:1-matching BizMPower grants for brick-and-mortar small businesses across Massachusetts.
Funds can be used for capital projects such as equipment purchases. Join Small Business Strong, Patronicity co-founder Ebrahim Varachia, and MGCC Program Manager, Theresa Ng to learn more about the program. [+]
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Small Business Strong has provided nearly 1,900 small businesses with free advice and support. With the 2021 Impact Report, you can read all about the continued success of the program.
LISC is the Program Manager for Small Business Strong, a non-profit organization that provides expedited, pro-bono support for women and entrepreneurs of color navigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.
Check out the Verizon Digital Ready’s Ask the Experts Events Happening in December
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Ask the Expert events are interactive sessions connecting small businesses with industry leaders across a range of topics. Sign up to become a member for free today and join one or all of the events happening this month.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready delivers online learning designed to give small business owners like you the tools you need to succeed. Through a range of courses, live coaching events and one-to-one coaching sessions, Verizon Digital Ready will help you get the best out of your small business. As part of the Live Learning program, all Verizon Small Business Digital Ready members have access to a range of Ask the Experts events to help support their business needs.
In Case You Missed It: Now Announcing the Winners of the LISC Pitch Competition
Congratulations to the business participants and winners.
Growth Stage Winners: 1st Place- CathWear, LLC of Lawrence & 2nd Place- Offbeet Compost of Lowell.
Early Stage Winners: 1st Place and Audience Choice- Eagle Hill Cafe of East Boston & 2nd Place- The Hub of Springfield.
Thank you judges: Natalia Lima of Citizens, Larry Andrews of Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, Colleen Fonseca of the Builders of Color Coalition, Dan Rivera of MassDevelopment, and Carlos Matos of the Chelsea Business Foundation. Sponsored by Citizens & hosted in partnership with BECMA.
The Coalition for an Equitable Economy is accepting applications for Coalition Director
The Coalition for an Equitable Economy (CEE) seeks a CEE Director. The Director will serve in a leadership role with multifaceted work with Coalition leadership and key stakeholders to support the Coalition's approach to develop and advance a vision and strategy for an equitable and inclusive small business ecosystem in Massachusetts.
What’s Next for Small Businesses as COVID 19 Capital Relief Funds Wind Down?
December is the last month to apply for the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Relief program, one of several government relief programs targeted to small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Join SCORE.org for a webinar on the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Relief program and other capital resources, including: Latest information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advances, Updates on the Employee Retention Tax Credit Other state and local relief programs.
2021 Women-Owned Restaurant Grant Application
In response to growing pressures on restaurant owners across the Commonwealth due to COVID, the Massachusetts Conference for Women and Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) have announced $300,000 in new funding to support women-owned restaurants. The 2021 initiative will provide $5,000 grants to more than 60 restaurants. The grants are made possible through the support of the sponsors and attendees of the Massachusetts Conference for Women.
Small Business Workshops on Business Fundamentals
Join Valley Community Development Corporation for a series of FREE recurring workshops focused on business fundamentals. It is designed for owners of existing businesses as well as those who are planning to start a business. The workshops will provide a structure for starting and managing your venture. Topics will include: Business Plans and models Financing Options Marketing, marketing planning, and research Importance of Bookkeeping Developing your team Goals and next steps Choosing your legal form of organization
Paid Marketing Strategies to Increase your Sales
In this workshop you will learn how to create a paid marketing campaign to attract your ideal client. Learn how to use Facebook, Instagram, and Google to target your customers to increase engagement and sales. You will also learn how to track your campaign results with reports that show reach, shares, views, site visits and purchases from your campaign. You will learn how to use paid promotions on Instagram, Facebook, and Google for Business.
Join Massport's 8th Annual Business Diversity Summit
Massport’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion/Compliance will host its 8th Annual Business Diversity Summit on Thursday, December 16, 2021, 10:00 am – 11:45 am. The Summit will be virtual and is targeted to the diverse and small business community. The Summit will provide information on doing business with Massport, upcoming opportunities over the next three years and an opportunity to meet Massport personnel.
2021 Holiday Gift Guides
Shop small this holiday season with these small business holiday gift guides featuring small businesses in Massachusetts.
- Small Business Strong - Shop Small Holiday Gift Guide
- Amplify Latinx - 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
- Boston Impact Initiative - Holiday Gift Guide
- Center for Women & Enterprise - 2021 Holiday Marketplace
- Foundation for Business Equity - BEI 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
- Get Konnected (GK!) Market - 2021 Holiday Shoppe
- Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) - Holiday Gift Guide 2021
- Small Business Majority - 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
About Local Initiatives Support Corporation
LISC is one of the country's largest community development support organizations, but we have deep local roots, having invested more than $414 million in Massachusetts communities for nearly 40 years.
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You are receiving this message because you requested assistance from the Massachusetts Equitable PPP Access Initiative for federal and state relief, or because you requested to receive news from LISC about COVID-small business relief, participated in a LISC webinar or LISC program such as the Digital Growth Accelerator or Beyond Six Feet Apart. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, please use the unsubscribe link below.
