We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion April newsletter featuring news, updates, and information from our Cabinet. | | | |
CELEBRATE SMALL BUSINESS MONTH WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON
Next month is Small Business Month, an annual opportunity to highlight local businesses shaping our neighborhoods and the vast economic support system surrounding them. The month will feature a slate of events, resources, and curated social media content grounded in the theme “Exploring Possibilities. Creating Opportunities.” The City of Boston is home to over 18,000 small businesses that employ 127,000 people and generate close to $28 billion each year.
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SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS: COMPLETE THE UMASS DONAHUE INSTITUTE COMMERCIAL SPACE SURVEY
Researchers at the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) are interested in learning more about Boston small business owners’ commercial property needs.
UMDI is partnering with the City of Boston to help understand what types of properties businesses are looking for, how prepared they are to purchase property, and what barriers they face. We need your help to answer these questions.
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BUSINESS STRATEGY TEAM WELCOMES GERMAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO DOWNTOWN BOSTON
Earlier this month, Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright, Director of Business Strategy Alia Forrest, and International Business Strategy Manager Yuxi Wang visited the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) Boston Chapter office in Downtown Boston for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Our team presented Executive Director of the GACC Boston Chapter Lucas Theo Rehaag with a citation welcoming the GACC to Boston on behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu.
The GACC promotes German American trade relations and transatlantic exchange, supporting German companies in successfully entering the U.S. market and achieving sustainable long-term growth. With tailored consulting services, high-level networking events, and comprehensive regional market expertise, they strengthen the presence of companies in Boston and across the New England region.
Learn more about the GACC Boston Chapter: www.gaccboston.com/us
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UNIQLO CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN DOWNTOWN CROSSING
From Tokyo to Downtown Boston, Uniqlo has officially opened at 399 Washington Street!
On April 10, Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion staff joined Mayor Michelle Wu and the Downtown Boston Alliance to celebrate Uniqlo’s grand opening in Downtown Crossing. This opening is filling a space that’s been empty for 20 years and aligns with our work post-pandemic to revitalize our downtown.
Learn more about our work to revitalize Downtown Boston.
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BROWN BEAR EXCEL EARLY LEARNING CENTER CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING IN MATTAPAN
Congratulations to City of Boston SPACE Grant recipient Brown Bear Excel Early Learning Center on their grand opening at 470 River Street in Mattapan!
On Friday, April 17, Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright and Director of Business Strategy Alia Forrest joined founder Dawne Brown for the Brown Bear Excel Early Learning Center ribbon cutting ceremony. The SPACE Grant assisted Brown Bear in expanding their business to a second location in Mattapan, with their first location in Hyde Park.
Brown Bear Excel Early Learning Centers offers standard and additional enrichment programs that provide children with a well-rounded early education to prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond.
Learn more about Brown Bear Excel Early Learning Center at www.brownbearcenters.com.
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CITY OF BOSTON CELEBRATES PATRIOTS DAY PARADE
On Monday, April 20, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Department of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment celebrated the 251st Patriots Day leading the Patriots Day Parade through Boston’s North End.
Each year during the parade, incredible performers bring Boston’s instrumental role in the American Revolution to life—marching through the streets with fife and drum, reenacting Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, and honoring the brave patriots who made Boston the birthplace of American democracy.
A special thank you to the East Boston High School Color Guard, the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company, the Zarba Military Band, the Wilmington Minute Men, the Community Academy of Science and Health JROTC, and everyone who helped make this year’s Patriots Day celebration memorable.
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CITY OF BOSTON WELCOMES RUNNERS FOR 130TH BOSTON MARATHON
On Monday, April 20, the City of Boston welcomed over 30,000 runners from 137 countries and all 50 states for the 130th Boston Marathon. The Boston Marathon, organized by the Boston Athletic Association, brought strength, endurance, and joy to our city from all around the globe.
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CITY OF BOSTON PREPARES FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP™
On Tuesday, April 21, City and State officials joined the Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ (Boston 26) on City Hall Plaza to discuss new details and developments for the Host Committee’s Fan Festival.
World Cup FanFest, taking place June 12 to 27, will be free to attend but capped at approximately 5,000 fans a day. Registration will be required.
Additionally, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion has published a Neighborhood Business Guide for World Cup-related offerings across City neighborhoods. View this guide to explore where to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. If you are a business interested in being featured in this guide, complete this survey.
For more information about the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ and its impact on the City of Boston as well as other large-scale events slated for summer 2026, visit boston.gov/summer.
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BOSTON LICENSING BOARD APPROVES NEW BEER AND WINE LICENSE UPGRADES ACROSS EIGHT NEIGHBORHOODS
Earlier this month, the Boston Licensing Board approved new beer and wine license upgrades. The approved applicants represent eight neighborhoods across Boston and include: Square Root (Roslindale) Caffe Dello Sport (North End), Mumbai Spice (Fenway/Kenmore), Orpheum Theater (Downtown), Salty Pig (Back Bay), Broken Records Beer Hall (Brighton), Modern Pastry (North End), Elephantine Bakery (Seaport), Daily Catch (North End), La Abundancia Restaurant (East Boston), and Celine (Seaport).
The Licensing Board will send all the applications to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for investigation and final approval. Additionally, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion has developed Beer and Wine Upgrade FAQs to address frequently asked questions about the beer and wine upgrade legislation.
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SUMMER 2026 HOSPITALITY OFFICE HOURS
The Licensing Board continues to host bi-weekly virtual office hours on Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Office hours address any questions related to how to participate in the events of the summer, as well as the liquor license application process.
If you have questions about hour extensions, your entertainment license, applying for a new liquor license, or upgrading an existing beer and wine license, we encourage you to attend.
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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION
GET READY FOR SUMMER 2026 BUSINESS FORUM
May 4, 2026 | Virtual Event | 6 pm - 7 pm
Join FIFA World Cup™ Boston 2026 and the City of Boston Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet for an update on small business opportunities related to this summer's large-scale events.
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GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE BUSINESS PLAN BLUEPRINT FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
May 5, 2026 | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce | 9:30 am - 11 am
Join the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Bank of America for this in‑person session, where you’ll work with experienced professionals who will guide you through the essential components of building a practical business roadmap.
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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION
CLIMATE TECH CROSSING
May 6, 2026 | Downtown Crossing | 12 pm - 7 pm
Climate Tech Crossing offers forward-thinking companies an opportunity to present their cutting-edge technologies to mitigate and combat climate change. This event will unite entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, policymakers, and the public to exchange ideas and explore partnerships that can drive real-world impact. Technology demonstrations will take place from 12 pm to 4 pm followed by a Block Party from 4 pm to 7 pm.
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BOSTON.COM
Can office-to-housing conversions revive Boston's downtown?
As hybrid and remote work empty office buildings, developers are tapping a new city program to turn vacant spaces into much-needed housing. [READ MORE]
BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
Spain launches $200M biotech fund targeting Boston and Spanish companies
The Spanish government is launching a venture capital fund with a goal of raising $200 million to invest in biotechnology companies from Spain and Massachusetts. [READ MORE]
BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
Prepped and Ready. Minority-owned businesses create their own opportunities as summer tourism events near
A summer of opportunity is sweeping through Massachusetts, and minority-owned businesses are pushing to share the wealth with their communities. [READ MORE]
BOSTON GLOBE
Newbury Yarns spins its way into the Leather District
The Boston Globe spotlights City of Boston SPACE Grant recipient Newbury Yarns. Owner Aldrich Robinson shares how the SPACE Grant helped Newbury Yarns re-emerge in Boston after the pandemic. [READ MORE]
BOSTON GLOBE
Boston unveils new details for World Cup FanFest at City Hall Plaza
City and State officials joined the Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ (Boston 26) on City Hall Plaza to discuss new details and developments for the Host Committee’s Fan Festival. [READ MORE]
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BOSTON BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: BOGOSPLIT SHOWROOM
Last month, Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright visited the Bogosplit Showroom at Copley Place.
During the visit, Bogosplit CEO and co-founder Keyla Williams gave Interim Chief Wright a tour of the showroom, showcasing the variety of collections of local designers featured throughout the space.
Also in attendance were Keyla’s mother, a member of the Bogosplit team, and Melina Cortes-Nmili, Founder and Creative Director of Lalla Bee — one of the brands highlighted in the showroom.
The Bogosplit Showroom serves as both a retail storefront and creative hub, providing designers with the opportunity to showcase their collections and connect with customers in a dynamic and immersive environment. With cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, Bogosplit offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and success in the fashion industry.
Visit the Bogosplit Showroom at Copley Place (100 Huntington Ave) to shop and discover fashion collections from local designers. You can also browse current in-store collections online and learn how to become a vendor or get involved in Bogosplit’s creative community by visiting bogosplit.com.
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Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
econdev@boston.gov
617-635-5729
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