The Little Cocoa Bean
The BLDC gave Ginkgo Bioworks their first financing as a startup—a $150,000 loan. Today the organism company, which designs custom microbes for customers across multiple markets, is worth over $1 billion.
The company’s organism engineers work directly with customers including Fortune 500 companies and government entities to design microbes for their needs—applications including nutrition, health and consumer goods.
View the 'Diversity Business Certifications at the Local, State and Federal Level' webinar recording and presentation
In today’s highly competitive market, it’s important for small businesses to set themselves apart in the marketplace, add established credibility, and have better access to contracting opportunities.
On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 the Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) and the Transactional Law Clinics (TLC) of Harvard Law School presented Diversity Business Certifications at the Local, State and Federal Level.
We introduced business owners to the process of applying and obtaining business certification at the local, state, and/or federal level, such as Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) and others. The presentation includes details on the types of certifications, benefits, requirements, process, and answers to questions that frequently arise.
Diversity Business Certifications at the Local, State and Federal Level webinar November 15
In today’s highly competitive market, it’s important for small businesses to set themselves apart in the marketplace, add established credibility, and have better access to contracting opportunities.
We will introduce business owners to the process of applying and obtaining business certification at the local, state, and/or federal level, such as Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) and others. The presentation will include details on the types of certifications, benefits, requirements, process, and answers to questions that frequently arise.
Presented by the Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) and the Transactional Law Clinics (TLC) of Harvard Law School
Learn more and register
Looking ahead: Beyond BERDO
GreenerU will host Looking ahead: Beyond BERDO on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 9:30 AM.
Boston’s BERDO—the Building Energy Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance—was developed to help the city achieve its climate goals of all buildings reaching net zero emissions by 2050. But some building owners are finding BERDO requirements challenging to meet from a financial standpoint.
This conversation-style format will feature guests Brian Palm, Assistant Head of School at Catholic Memorial School, and Bill Nickerson, Executive Director of the Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority (BIDFA)
Learn more and register
Cambridge Retail Advisors and Boston Main Streets Foundation team up to support small business grant programs
Cambridge Retail Advisors - Economic Development (CRA-ED) and Boston Main Streets Foundation (BMSF) are proud to support the MGCC (Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation) grant assistance program. This FREE initiative provides an opportunity for economic recovery and growth for Boston small businesses in underserved communities (minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ-owned, Cooperatives, or owned by low-moderate-income individuals, U.S. Military Veterans, non-native English speakers, or disabled individuals).
CRA-ED’s focus is selecting small business candidates and helping each through the Biz-M-Power and Empower Digital grant application process:
- Empower Digital grants are focused on diagnosing digital challenges, developing strategies for digital capabilities, and hiring/finding qualified professionals.
- Biz-M-Power grants use Patronicity crowd fundraising to advance projects that support economic success and transformation for their business.
If you have questions about the MGCC grant program or know a small business in Boston that could use support, please reach them through the contact information below:
Joe Lawlor
207-949-2343 (mobile)
jlawlor@cambridgeretailadvisors.com
www.cra-ed.com
About Boston Main Streets Foundation
The Boston Main Streets Foundation (BMSF) is a public-private initiative established by the City of Boston in 2007 and has been the driving force behind the revitalization of the City's neighborhood commercial districts. BMSF is committed to making Boston’s neighborhood commercial districts thriving, vibrant centers of commerce and community. The Foundation seeks to develop long-term strategies to increase the economic power and resources of neighborhood commercial districts while pursuing an initiative that builds knowledge and capacity for Main Streets programs and the businesses they serve.
About CRA-Economic Development
Cambridge Retail Advisors - Economic Development (CRA-ED) are technical assistance providers, program managers, and small business technology experts. Their mission is to empower communities through transformative technology and innovative programming. CRA-ED is a proven partner to municipal, charitable, and economic development organizations, and a proud agent of change working toward the sustainability of vital small businesses and cities.
BLDC represented at DreamerEs event
This week, the Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) was present at DreamerEs, the largest Spanish-language entrepreneurship event in Boston. DreamerEs, which is a combination of the English word "dreamer" and Spanish word "es", the latter meaning "to be", drew over 100 attendees to the scenic East Boston Waterfront and provided vital business resources to new and existing entrepreneurs.
BPDA and BLDC staff attend BECMA Mass Black Expo
Staff from the Boston Local Development Corporation and the Boston Planning & Development Agency attended the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA)'s Mass Black Expo (MBE) on Friday, September 23. MBE is the Commonwealth’s premier event for showcasing Black businesses, organizations, and allies committed to closing the Massachusetts wealth gap through equity, access, and opportunity.
Webinar in Spanish/Taller Virtual en Español - Acceso a Capital y Recursos para Pequeños Negocios Latinos
Taller Virtual en Español
Acceso a Capital y Recursos para Pequeños Negocios Latinos
Propietarios de pequeños negocios en Massachusetts: Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) les invita a participar en el taller virtual gratuito, Programa Power Up, Acceso a Capital y Recursos Para Pequeños Negocios Latinos, patrocinado por Amplify Latinx.
Fecha y Hora: jueves 25 de agosto, 2022 de 3:00pm a 4:00pm.
Enlace para Registrarse: alxworkshop1.eventbrite.com
Conozca sobre recursos disponibles para negocios en Massachusetts:
- Programa PowerUp de Amplify Latinx de asesoramiento personalizado a negocios que necesiten aumentar las ventas, mejorar operaciones, mejorar el control de sus finanzas y obtener acceso a capital o nuevos clientes.
- Préstamos para pequeños negocios, a través de BLDC y U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Herramientas para los pequeños negocios: Contratación, capital y más por la agencia federal de pequeños negocios en Massachusetts, US. Small Business Administration.
Esta sesión es en colaboración y con el apoyo de Surfside Capital Advisors, BLDC, U.S. Small Business Administration, MGCC, The Boston Foundation, State Street Foundation y Shlomo Fund.
Webinar in Spanish
PowerUp Program, Access to Capital, and Resources for Small Latino Businesses
MA Small Business Owners: The Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) would like to invite you to attend Amplify Latinx’s free, Spanish-language webinar PowerUp Program, Access to Capital and Resources for Small Latino Businesses/ Programa Power Up, Acceso a Capital y Recursos para Pequeños Negocios Latinos.
Date and Time: Thursday, August 25, 2022, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Link to Register: alxworkshop1.eventbrite.com
Learn about resources available for businesses in Massachusetts:
- Amplify Latinx’s PowerUp program of personalized advice to businesses that need to increase sales, improve operations, improve control of their finances and obtain access to capital or new clients.
- Small business loans through the BLDC and U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Tools for Small Businesses: contracting, capital and more by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
This event is made possible through the support and collaboration of Surfside Capital Advisors, BLDC, U.S. Small Business Administration, MGCC, The Boston Foundation, State Street Foundation and Shlomo Fund.
BLDC announces interest rate freeze to ease borrowing burden
In an effort to support small businesses during this period of inflation, the Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC), which provides small business loans with a focus on commercial, industrial, and service companies, will freeze interest rates at 6.75 percent. This comes in response to the most recent rate hike by the federal reserve of 0.75 percent.
Boston Planning & Development Agency Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison congratulated the Board of Trustees and staff of the BLDC for its commitment to Boston’s business community.
“This rate freeze will have a meaningful impact on Boston’s small business community, and those who are just starting their businesses.” said Jemison. “By instituting this proactive, pro-business rate freeze, the BLDC Board and staff continue to exemplify Mayor Wu’s commitment to Boston businesses.”
The BLDC is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation governed by an independent board of trustees. The day to day operation of the program is provided by the BPDA’s Financial Services department.
To learn more or to get started, visit the BLDC website.
BLDC loan recipient Brewer’s Fork wins Best of Boston Award
The Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) would like to congratulate Brewer’s Fork which won a 2022 Boston Magazine Best of Boston Award for Best Beer Bar. In January 2015, the BLDC provided a $80,000 business loan to Brewer's Fork.
Read more at bostonmagazine.com