We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion March newsletter featuring news, updates, and important information from our Cabinet. | | | |
FIVE THINGS SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW LEADING UP THE SUMMER OF 2026!
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As small businesses plan events, activations, and promotions related to the summer, the City wants to make sure they feel supported. Businesses are encouraged to complete our brief survey to help us understand their level of interest and what support they require.
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The Boston Licensing Board, Office of Nightlife Economy, and Office of Small Business host bi-weekly Office Hours to assist businesses with their planning related to the summer of 2026. Sign up for Office Hours.
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From July 11 to 15, The Social Butterflies are curating Boston Harbor Bites, a vendor experience bringing together the best of Boston's local food scene, artisan makers, and cultural entrepreneurs across the city's most iconic waterfront locations — from Charlestown Navy Yard to the Seaport to Marine Industrial Park. Businesses can learn more and apply to be a vendor.
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If a business typically shows sporting events on televisions, they CAN show any or all World Cup matches WITHOUT a FIFA Public Viewing License. FIFA does have regulations related to marketing and ticketing. View the regulations.
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Businesses have the ability to optimize their hours during key World Cup matches by opening earlier or requesting an extension of hours. View the procedure.
We look forward to supporting businesses as we prepare for the summer. Contact 617-635-4170 or licensingboard@boston.gov with any questions about extensions of hours.
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OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS LAUNCHES APPLICATION FOR BIZUNLOCKED BOSTON BUSINESS ACCESS PROGRAM
Earlier this month, the Office of Small Business launched applications for BizUnlocked Boston — 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 local communities. The pilot program, led by the Office of Small Business and Tessi Consulting, blends collaborative in-person workshops, interactive virtual sessions, and group technical assistance with small business experts. This is a free program for eligible, for-profit Boston businesses.
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CLIMATE TECH COMPANIES—SHOWCASE YOUR CLIMATE TECH SOLUTIONS AT CLIMATE TECH CROSSING ON MAY 6
Presented by the City of Boston, The Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT), the Downtown Boston Alliance, the Massachusetts Center for Clean Energy (MassCEC) and Schneider Electric, Climate Tech Crossing is an opportunity for forward-thinking companies to present their cutting-edge technologies aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change.
We’re looking for startups and companies passionate about combating climate change to showcase their climate tech innovations and solutions during Climate Tech Crossing’s technology demonstrations on Wednesday, May 6 from 12 pm to 4 pm in Downtown Crossing.
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EXPLORE COMMERCIAL LISTINGS WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON SITE SELECTION SUPPORT MAP
The City of Boston’s Site Selection Support Map features commercial listings for all industries from Downtown to Dorchester Ave.
In addition to exploring this map, we encourage businesses to connect with local neighborhood and business-serving organizations to learn more about available properties and active business districts across Boston.
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CITY OF BOSTON BUSINESS STRATEGY TEAM VISITS GINGKO BIOWORKS
Earlier this month, Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright, Director of Business Strategy Alia Forrest, and Business Strategy Manager Shanice Wallace met with Barry Canton, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Ginkgo Bioworks, at the biotech company’s headquarters in Boston’s Seaport District.
Canton walked our team through Gingko Bioworks’ autonomous laboratory space and discussed Gingko Bioworks’ innovative technology. Their autonomous laboratories replace manual laboratory work with robotics in the lab, greatly improving the productivity of scientists. Ginkgo's in-house autonomous lab is also available as a "cloud lab" through their Datapoints and Solutions contract research services.
Learn more about Ginkgo Bioworks at www.ginkgo.bio.
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DIRECTOR OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY ANDREW CARUTH SPEAKS AT ANNUAL WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE
On March 5, Director of Supplier Diversity Andrea Caruth gave remarks at the 5th Annual Women in Construction Event at Suffolk Construction, hosted by Suffolk Construction in partnership with the City of Boston.
This event celebrated the women whose leadership, dedication, and impact continue to shape the construction industry across Greater Boston. The Women in Construction Event brought together over 100 attendees, including representatives from City of Boston departments, local businesses, students, family and friends of the honorees, and Suffolk Construction leadership.
During her remarks, Andrea emphasized the Mayor’s vision of Boston being a home for everyone. The Department of Supplier Diversity is committed to this vision through working to improve opportunities for the next and upcoming generation of women and minority business owners and construction workers. She highlighted how City programs like the Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) program cultivate the workforce industry for women in construction.
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EXPLORE UPCOMING CITY OF BOSTON CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE FY27 BUYING PLAN
The City of Boston’s Procurement Department has published the FY27 Buying Plan!
The Buying Plan is a publicly available forecast of what goods and services City departments plan to buy in the next fiscal year. This is a key initiative in the City’s efforts to promote the participation of small, local, veteran-, women-, and minority-owned businesses in City contracting.
Bidding on public work can be time consuming and deadlines are often tight. This tool gives small businesses as much lead time as possible to prepare competitive bids by providing a look into upcoming procurement and contracting opportunities.
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LICENSING BOARD APPROVES NEW LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND BEER AND WINE LICENSEE UPGRADES
Earlier this month, the Boston Licensing Board approved a new batch of liquor licenses and beer and wine license upgrades. The approved applicants are located in 11 neighborhoods. 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. | | |
GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
READY FOR KICKOFF: PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP
April 1, 2026 | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (Hybrid) | 3 pm - 4:30 pm
Join the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for a hybrid event in partnership with FIFA World Cup Boston 2026 (Boston 26) for a focused conversation on how the world’s largest sporting event will shape the region’s economy and business community.
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BUSINESS STRATEGY X STARTUP BOSTON
BUILT IN BOSTON: A STUDENT FOUNDER PITCH SHOWCASE
April 14, 2026 | Boston City Hall | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Startup Boston and the City of Boston are teaming up to spotlight the next generation of student founders building the future. At this high-energy pitch showcase, selected student entrepreneurs will take the stage to present their ventures.
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BOSTON.COM
24 Boston businesses approved for new or upgraded liquor licenses
Three pieces of legislation came into play in getting liquor licenses into the hands of restaurants, according to the Licensing Board. [READ MORE]
BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
ANNOUNCING: Meet the 2026 40 Under 40 Honorees
The Boston Business Journal has chosen the 2026 honorees for its annual 40 Under 40 program highlighting the best young professionals in Greater Boston. This year's honorees include Aliesha Porcena, Director of Small Business for the City of Boston. [READ MORE]
BOSTON GLOBE
The Boston Society for Architecture is on the move
The BSA has picked digs near the heart of downtown, with a goal of having a street-level space open to the public again. [READ MORE]
WHDH
MBTA announces summer discounts for the commuter rail
Transportation officials said the summer savings announcement aims to support regular commuters and encourage more people to choose public transportation as a very busy season kicks off. [READ MORE]
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BOSTON BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: JUNEBUG
Women entrepreneurs are helping shape Boston’s business landscape through innovative ventures and community-driven programs and businesses. One of these leaders is Amanda Mitchell, owner of Junebug and Place and Gather in Charlestown.
When walking down Main Street in Charlestown, you’ll spot a bright pink, inviting storefront—that’s Junebug. The retail boutique and floral studio sells a variety of curated gifts and housewares in addition to beautifully crafted floral bouquets and arrangements.
Junebug is located in the former space of Bunker Hill Florist, which operated in Charlestown for 37 years. In 2018, Bunker Hill Florist’s owners Larry and Joe decided to retire and close the business. Shortly after, Amanda founded Junebug to carry on the legacy of the neighborhood’s beloved floral shop and stepped into the role of Charlestown’s go-to florist when Junebug opened its doors in 2019.
In this spotlight video, hear from Amanda as she shares more about Junebug from what they offer to how her team helps each customer. You’ll also hear from Tom Cobb, employee of Junebug and former employee of Bunker Hill Florist, who highlights Charlestown’s community impact on Junebug.
Learn more about Junebug at junebugcharlestown.com and visit Junebug at 211 Main Street in Charlestown.
Learn more about Place and Gather at placeandgather.com and visit Place and Gather at 26 Common Street in Charlestown.
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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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