We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion July newsletter featuring news, updates, and information from our Cabinet. | | ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION | |
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION CABINET LAUNCHES SUMMER OF 2026 BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEY
In early July, the City of Boston Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet sent a survey to Boston-based hospitality businesses inquiring about their success during the first portion of FIFA World Cup 26™ (June 11 to June 30).
Early results show that over half of the respondents so far reported an increase in customers and nearly 60 percent reported an increase in revenue when compared to June 2025.
Additionally, of the survey respondents eligible for an extension in hours, nearly 50 percent applied for and utilized the extension. The majority of these participants saw a significant positive impact from this extension and the vast majority would like to see the hours extension implemented again in the future.
If you are a Boston business owner impacted by the FIFA World Cup 26™ this summer, we encourage you to complete the survey.
| TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT | |
WATCH PARTIES WELCOMED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO CHEER ON THEIR FAVORITE TEAMS
FIFA World Cup™ watch parties brought thousands of Boston residents and visitors together this summer.
Mayor Michelle Wu hosted Community Watch Parties—led by the Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment—at City Hall Plaza, the Boston Common, MGM Music Hall, Roadrunner, Town Field, and other venues. In addition, bars, restaurants, and outdoor spaces throughout Boston welcomed soccer fans for all rounds of the FIFA World Cup™. The Downtown Boston Alliance’s Temple Place Watch Parties took place in one of two Social Districts, transforming a public space into a vibrant soccer hub. At all watch parties, those who attended connected with others, supported local businesses, and cheered on their favorite teams.
| |
OPEN STREETS BOSTON KICKS OFF IN JAMAICA PLAIN THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
This summer and fall, Open Streets Boston, the popular car-free event series, will return to Allston-Brighton, Jamaica Plain, and Mattapan.
Additionally, the City will host Open Streets in Roslindale for the first time on October 18. During the event, Corinth and Poplar Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic to create room for community and play.
Open Streets events allow local businesses to expand into the street and safely make space for music, games, bicycling, and community tabling in Boston’s neighborhoods. These events build on Mayor Wu’s commitment to reimagining our streets and making Boston the most family-friendly city in the country.
This year’s Open Streets dates are as follows:
- Sunday, August 2, 2026 | Jamaica Plain
- Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Mattapan
- Sunday, October 4, 2026 | Allston-Brighton
- Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Roslindale
| | |
LICENSING BOARD APPROVES NEW BATCH OF LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS
The Boston Licensing Board continues to approve new liquor licenses across Boston’s neighborhoods. Recently, the Licensing Board approved applications for the following businesses:
- Pho Que Restaurant, Dorchester, Beer and Wine
- Yeanie's Burgers and Social, Dorchester, Beer and Wine
- Marabou Cafe Restaurant, Mattapan, All Alcohol
- The Draft Society, East Boston, All Alcohol
- Milano's Delicatessen, East Boston, All Alcohol
- Abuela’s Table, Jamaica Plain, All Alcohol
- Gangnam Spice, Jamaica Plain, All Alcohol
- La Perla del Sur Quintanilla, Roslindale, All Alcohol
- Pena Bani Restaurant, Roslindale, Beer and Wine
The Licensing Board also recently approved applications from the following beer and wine licensees to upgrade to all alcohol licenses:
- @UNION, Allston
- Anoushella, South End
- Blasi’s Kitchen and Bar, Dorchester
- Mi Finca Mexican Restaurant and Pizzeria, Roslindale
- Moko Japanese Cuisine, South Boston
- South Street Diner, Downtown
- Wagamama, Back Bay
The Licensing Board will send all 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 and Liquor License Application FAQs to address frequently asked questions about the beer and wine upgrade and liquor license legislation.
| |
BUSINESS STRATEGY TEAM WELCOMES DELEGATION FROM TAIWAN TO BOSTON CITY HALL
Earlier this month, the City of Boston’s Business Strategy team welcomed a delegation from Taiwan to discuss strengthening economic and technology partnerships between Taiwan and Boston.
The delegation included senior government officials, research leaders, university representatives, and executives from Taiwan's leading robotics, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive electronics, and AI industries.
Our Business Strategy team—Director of Business Strategy Alia Hamada Forrest and Business Strategy Managers Yuxi Wang, Shanice Wallace, and Jeanne Dasaro—presented on Boston's innovation ecosystem, business attraction resources, and opportunities for collaboration with local universities, startups, research institutions, and industry leaders.
Together they showcased Boston as the premier U.S. destination for Taiwanese robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing companies seeking to establish or expand their North American presence.
This delegation visit was organized by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Taiwan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Industry Development Association as part of a government-led initiative to deepen technology cooperation between Taiwan and the United States.
|
| |
CANNABIS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM HOSTS CANNABIS EMPOWERMENT WEEK
From June 15 through June 21, the City of Boston’s Cannabis Industry Development Team, part of the Business Strategy team, hosted Cannabis Empowerment Week.
Led by the City of Boston Senior Cannabis Industry Manager Shekia Scott and Cannabis Equity Program Manager Akilah Armstrong, Cannabis Empowerment Week explored the future of social consumption and continued important conversations about cannabis in Boston through a variety of events throughout the week.
Events featured guest speakers across different events including City of Boston Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright, Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) Commissioner Xiomara DeLobato, former CCC Commissioner Bruce Stebbins, and many other leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, and community members.
Save the Date: Cannabis Empowerment Week returns next year from June 14 - 20, 2027!
| | |
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY DEPARTMENT ACTIVELY SEEKING PROPOSALS FOR CITY DISPARITY STUDY DUE AUGUST 13
The Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion and Department of Supplier Diversity are currently seeking proposals for a consultant to assist the City of Boston in designing and conducting a comprehensive Disparity Study.
On June 30, Mayor Michelle Wu signed an Executive Order extending the City’s equitable procurement goals. Five years after its last Disparity Study, the City of Boston will update its procurement goals based on the findings of this upcoming Disparity Study. With the extended Executive Order, the City will be able to continue setting contract specific minority-owned business enterprise (MBE) and woman-owned business enterprise (WBE) participation goals on construction projects.
The requested services will be completed across two project phases, as described in the scope of services. The first phase will focus on the City of Boston, while the second phase will examine quasi-governmental agencies, resulting in separate Disparity Study reports for each legal entity. The results of the study will be used to refine the City’s existing supplier diversity and equitable procurement programs.
Proposals for the Disparity Study RFP are due on Thursday, August 13 at 12 PM.
Access this RFP and related documents on the City of Boston’s Supplier Portal via procurement.boston.gov.
| |
OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATES FIRST COHORT GRADUATES OF BIZUNLOCKED BOSTON BUSINESS ACCESS PROGRAM
On Saturday, June 28, the Office of Small Business celebrated the 14 graduates of the BizUnlocked Boston Business Access Program. This is the inaugural year of BizUnlocked Boston, a partnership with Tessi Consulting.
BizUnlocked Boston is a business access program that connects small business owners to the resources, expertise, and relationships they need to build lasting businesses that create jobs, stability, and sustainability in our communities. The pilot program took place from May 13 to June 27 and blended collaborative in-person workshops, interactive virtual sessions, and group technical assistance with small business experts.
Graduates of the Cohort include: Bak and Beverage, BlackBrownBoston, BostonToSalemTours, Corte Visual, DMS Consulting, Groovy Thrifty LLC, Locd in Boston, Lovey Ledgers, Mats Boston, Odd Jobs Media LLC, Salon25, Tugboat Toy Company LLC, and Valet Waste Solutions LLC.
|
| |
TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
FRIDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES
Fridays from July 31 - August 21 | Sam Adams Park
This concert series, a partnership between Berklee College of Music and the City of Boston, showcases the best of Boston's local music talent.
| | |
SMALL BUSINESS
SUMMER CONTRACT SERIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
August 11 and 18 | Virtual | 2 pm - 3:30 pm
The Summer Contract Series is facilitated by Province Consulting Group and features two workshops with the first focused on proposal development and the second focused on pricing strategies and fast response techniques.
| |
TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
SUMMER DANCE PARTY SERIES: SILK R&B COOKOUT
August 14 | City Hall Plaza | 5 pm - 10 pm
Mayor Wu's Summer Dance Party Series continues with SILK R&B Cookout, bringing an evening of R&B, food, and community to City Hall Plaza.
| |
TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
DONNA SUMMER DANCE PARTY
August 28 | City Hall Plaza | 5 pm - 9 pm
Dance the night away to all of Donna Summer’s greatest hits on City Hall Plaza featuring glow sticks, bubbles, colorful lights, a disco ball, and roller skating.
| | |
BAY STATE BANNER
Big efforts for small businesses
Over a six-month period, the Nubian Square Task Force is supporting new and existing businesses. [READ MORE]
BOSTON.COM
Was the World Cup Worth it? Early data suggest Boston's best is paying off
Boston bars saw a 28% jump in transactions, Airbnb revenue climbed 27%, hotel rates surged, and the MBTA set ridership records during the FIFA World Cup. [READ MORE]
BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
Boston bars, restaurants see biggest World Cup spending jump among host cities
Consumer spending at bars and restaurants in Boston increased more than any other host city during the first two weeks of the World Cup, according to a new report from payment platform Square. [READ MORE]
GBH
Annual mixtape 'Dear Summer: Vol. 4' features Boston's top emerging musical talent
“Dear Summer Vol. 4” is the largest edition of the annual mixtape yet, featuring 23 artists and nearly three hours of music to complement and enhance Boston’s summer vibes. [READ MORE]
NBC BOSTON
Mayor Wu says World Cup has been 'huge' for Boston, lobbies for continuing 3 a.m. last call
Mayor Wu says the 2026 World Cup has been "huge" for Boston, and the extended last call has been such a boon to local bars and restaurants that she wants to keep it going. [READ MORE]
MASSLIVE
Boston grants liquor licenses to restaurants in Dorchester, East Boston and beyond
Nine restaurants and bars around Boston have been granted new liquor licenses and seven more have upgraded their licenses, allowing them to serve hard alcohol to customers. [READ MORE]
| | | |
BOSTON BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: BOSTON HARBOR DISTILLERY
Boston is a city built on innovation across industries. One of these key modern manufacturing industries in Boston is distilleries.
Boston has three distilleries and we’re spotlighting them all through our Made in Boston video series.
Our first episode in our Made in Boston series highlights Boston Harbor Distillery in Dorchester. Founded in 2012, Boston Harbor Distillery makes whole-grain whiskey and other inventive spirits in the historic and restored former Putnam Nail Company Factory dating back to the late 1800s.
In this episode, learn from Founder Rhonda Kallman about the history tied into Boston Harbor Distillery’s whiskey and spirits, their distilling process, and more about their events space.
You can visit Boston Harbor Distillery at their Dorchester location at 12R Ericsson Street, as well as at their brand new distillery garden on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and within Terminal E at Boston Logan Airport!
Learn more about Boston Harbor Distillery at bostonharbordistillery.com.
|
| |
|
Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
econdev@boston.gov
617-635-5729
|
| | | |
