Roxbury Small Business Center launched

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office of Economic Development today announced the Small Business Center will launch its third workshop series on Monday, May 14th in Roxbury's Dudley Square at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building at 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury. Following two successful installments in Mattapan and East Boston, the Roxbury Small Business Center will offer six free workshops focused on small business growth through contracting opportunities, financial and legal resources, and networking opportunities for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and small business support organizations.

"We saw great attendance and interest in our first two Small Business Centers in Mattapan and East Boston, and I look forward to continue building opportunities for small businesses in Roxbury and neighborhoods throughout the City of Boston," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "As a historic, commercial hub of Boston, Dudley Square is the perfect location to build on our outreach to neighborhood entrepreneurs and small business owners as we seek to offer support and streamlined assistance to small businesses, local hiring, and vibrant commercial districts."

In partnership with Boston Main Streets and local business support organizations and experts retained through the on-site business assistance program, the Small Business Centers in Mattapan and East Boston hosted close to 400 small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout 17 different workshops that covered important topics including financial literacy, legal and leasing guidance, and workshops for immigrant entrepreneurs.

"Supporting Boston's small businesses that add character and heart to our neighborhoods, employ our residents, and contribute immensely to our thriving economy is a top priority for Mayor Walsh and our economic development strategy for Boston," said John Barros, Chief of Economic Development. "By breaking down barriers, increasing access, and opening doors to opportunities, expertise, and networks, small businesses and entrepreneurs now have more resources to achieve their individual goals and be successful. I am eager to build on the success we have seen in Mattapan and East Boston, and look forward to working with all of the partners to assist small business in Roxbury and every neighborhood in the City of Boston."

Data shows that the businesses which most frequently attended workshops included food-based businesses, companies seeking contracting opportunities, as well as cooperative or employee-owned organizations. Workshops that saw the most attendees were focused on access to capital, tips for lean business planning, and guidance on winning public contracts.

"We were thrilled to host the second Small Business Center in East Boston, which presents an extraordinary and unique opportunity to bring together current and aspiring entrepreneurs with resources, expertise, and partners both in the private and public sector," said Max Gruner, Executive Director of East Boston Main Streets. "The seven weeks of one-on-one mentoring and group presentations we hosted last fall were invaluable to both the East Boston and larger Boston business community."

The Roxbury Small Business Center will offer six workshops of high-impact professional training, networking and one-on-one coaching sessions beginning Monday, May 14 through Monday, June 25. Based on feedback from the small business community and prioritized in the City of Boston's first ever Small Business Plan, workshop topics range from leasing and legal assistance, to tips on accessing capital resources, to specific guidance and best practices on contracting opportunities with government organizations. Spanish interpretation will be available for each workshop and coaching session.

About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development

The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their website.

About Boston Main Streets

Boston Main Streets provides funding and technical assistant to 20 neighborhood-based Main Streets districts throughout the City of Boston, and has served as a national model for urban areas seeking to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts including Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, Detroit, New Orleans, Seattle and Portland, Oregon. Boston Main Streets continues to empower individuals in the small business sector to have a direct role in the economic health, physical appearance, and development of their own community.