Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - February, 2023 | |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
February is Black History Month. An impactful way to address racial inequality in business ownership is to make a conscious choice to support Black-owned businesses. Our friends at Amplify POC Cape Cod have an extensive online directory of businesses owned by People of Color on Cape Cod. In addition, Amplify POC Cape Cod just announced its Equity in Ownership Fund in support of its mission to eliminate the racial wealth gap on Cape Cod and beyond. The objective of the Equity in Ownership Fund is to provide micro grants to local POC-Owned businesses of up to $5,000 to help the business owner improve, enhance, and elevate their current operations. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur of Color, please consider joining Amplify POC's directory of businesses and explore the Equity in Ownership Fund.
If you're reading this newsletter, you know that the CDP's small business programs help business owners and entrepreneurs improve and grow their operations. Perhaps you have benefited from the CDP's small business programs. We want to expand our client base and need your help in spreading the word about our programming. The CDP is launching a referral program. Each month, anyone who refers an entrepreneur or business owner to the CDP will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate from a local business. We will draw a winner on the 15th of each month. Read on to learn more.
Inside Scoop at a glance:
CDP Workshops
Artists - Additional Workshops & Grants
Food- Additional Workshops & Grants
General Business Workshops and Information
Other Resources for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
CDP's Small Business Services - Regional Office Hours
To learn more about these workshops and programs, as well as other topics important to your business, please see below. As always, if there is a business topic that comes up for which you need more information or assistance, please reach out to us and we will help find resources to answer your questions.
We look forward to working with you!
Pam & Tricia
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The Art of Doing Business as a Creative
March 14th and March 21st from 10:00 - 3:00 at The 204
The CDP is excited to partner with the Harwich Department of Cultural Affairs to present The Art of Doing Business as a Creative. Working on creative tasks may be easier and more appealing than working on business tasks, but ignoring the business side won’t benefit your creative business in the long run. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned pro, this workshop is for you. The Art of Doing Business as a Creative is tailored to provide the foundation you need to start, stabilize and grow your creative business. Expert panelists will provide information on business basics, including for seasonal operations, branding, social media, selling your work, and much more. Invest in yourself as a creative business and sign up today., This 2-day workshop is for artists, creatives, and makers looking to take their craft to the next level, learn from our expert panelists, and to make connections with your community.
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Additional Artist Specific Workshops and Grants | |
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The Ultimate Guide to Publicity
Ariel Hyatt & Maya Azucena
March 30th 2:00 (virtual)
Learn how to generate press and land publicity! In this workshop, participants will identify the basic materials needed for a solid press kit and ways to set themselves apart, including generating a succinct press pitch, graphics, and brand. Participants will have a chance to draft their own effective pitch (the foundation of your PR) to catch the eye of bloggers and journalists alike, as well as learn how to avoid common mistakes when sending out a pitch. Participants will also discuss how to use an international lens for marketing, research and select media outlets to target and how to design a manageable timeline for generating publicity. Finally, participants will explore what to do with any publicity they receive, and how to leverage those successes to achieve broader career goals
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Food Related Workshops and Grants | |
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Cost Saving Through Food Waste Reduction
Feb. 23rd 5:30-6:30 (virtual)
In this online workshop taught by Abbey Massaro, Waste Reduction Consultant with RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, you will learn why your food business should reduce food waste, the importance of food waste management, and how to do it!
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. This workshop is presented by CommonWealth Kitchen
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16th Annual Agriculture & Food Conference
Feb. 26th 9:00 -4:00 (virtual)
Mark you calendars for Sunday, February 26th for SEMAP's Agriculture & Food Conference. Farmers, foodies, and agricultural advocates alike are all welcome. Join SEMAP for a day of engaging virtual workshops on topics ranging all across the food and agricultural space.
Conference topics include Innovations in Local and Sustainable Aquaculture, Finding Unique Market Outlets for Your Business, and Creating a Positive and Productive Farm Environment through Communication
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Seafood HACCP Training for Cape Cod Seafood Producers
Buy Fresh Buy Local Cape Cod (BFBL) recently announced that it was offering FREE Seafood HACCP trainings for a limited number of MA seafood producers. Due to an overwhelming demand, the training quickly filled. BFBL invites interested seafood producers to contact them to be placed on an email list for future training.
Cornell University offers a Seafood HAACP Online Training if you have an immediate need for a training.
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Addiitonal General Business Workshops | |
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Health Connector for Business
March 1st from 12:00 - 1:00 (virtual)
Sign up for a FREE webinar on health insurance options available to small employers with the Health Connector for Business. Also covered: Options for sole proprietors & owner-only groups who don’t yet have the employees to qualify for a small group plan.
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Preparing Your Small Business to Survive a Recession
Feb. 23rd 12:00 - 1:00 (virtual)
This panel discussion with industry professionals will cover the following:
*Impact of the Recession on the US Economy and Massachusetts
*How to prepare your small business operations for a recession
*Your Customer Behavior and Marketing Strategies to pay attention to
*Retaining and Motivating Staff in the Recession
*Maintaining cash flow during the recession and beyond
*Turning challenges into opportunities - Leveraging innovation, resilience, and creativity
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Hire Vets Medallion Program
Applications Open - due April 30th
The HIRE Vets Medallion Program is an employer recognition program. The Award recognizes employers who hire and retain veterans, including their efforts to establish employee development programs and veteran specific benefits to improve retention.
All organizations with at least one veteran employee are eligible to apply for a HIRE Vets Medallion Award. Award recipients will receive a certificate stating the year for which it was received. VETS will also provide a digital image
of the medallion award for recipients to use in advertisements, solicitations, business activities, and other products.
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CDP Small Business Referral Program - Help spread the word about the CDP's Small Business Programs | |
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If you're reading this newsletter, you know that the CDP's small business programs help business owners and entrepreneurs improve and grow their operations. Perhaps you have benefited from the CDP's small business programs. We want to increase our client base and need your help in spreading the word about our programming.
The CDP is launching a referral program. Each month anyone who refers an entrepreneur or business owner to the CDP will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate from a local business. We will draw a winner on the 15th of each month. Here are the details:
- Be sure the person you refer to the CDP tells Pam and Tricia that you referred them
- One entry per referral - refer 3 businesses, earn 3 entries. etc.
- Drawing will be held on the 15th of each month
- CDP Staff, Board Members and Advisory Council Members are not eligible to participate in the referral raffle program (although we welcome your referrals!)
Start scrolling through your contacts to send your friends and families who are entrepreneurs and business owners to the CDP. Check this space in the March Inside Scoop to see if you are the 1st winner in the referral raffle.
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MGCC Loan Funds for Underserved Communities | |
MGCC Empower Digital and Biz-M-Power Grants | |
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MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners updated for 2023!
Schedule an appointment with Pam or Tricia today to see if your small business is eligible for these amazing opportunities.
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Crowd Funding Matching Grant
For 2023, MGCC increased the matching grant from a 1:1 match to a 2:1 match. This means businesses receive $2 from MGCC for every $1 raised in crowdfunding.
MGCC is partnering with a crowdfunding platform, Patronicity, to assist low to moderate-income and underserved entrepreneurs,& small business owners with meeting capital needs of their business through matching grants. Businesses must crowdfund a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $20,000 to receive a 2:1 matching grant from MGCC between $3,000 and $40,000. The combination of crowdfunding dollars and 2:1 matching grant from MGCC, businesses can earn $60,000+ through this program.
Eligible MA-based small businesses that have been nominated by MGCC’s SBTA providers may be funded up to $40,000.
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Digital Capacity Building Grant - now up to $10,000: Up to $5k for CAPITAL EXPENSES PLUS Up to $5k for DIGITAL SERVICES
MGCC's Empower Digital Grant provides funding (up to $10k) for tools and services to develop digital capabilities for your small business. MGCC will make these funds available for eligible businesses until funding is fully disbursed.
MGCC will now pay the Business Owner the grant funds upon submission of the Project Completion Certification Form. MGCC will cover up to $5,000 for digital services and up to $5,000 for capital expenses without requiring a contribution from the business owner.
Eligible MA-based small businesses must be sponsored by MGCC's SBTA providers.
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Small Business Energy Assessments by Cape Light Compact | |
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Small Business Renters Can Save on Efficiency Upgrades
Start with a no-cost Business Energy Assessment to see if you qualify for huge incentives on weatherization and other efficiency upgrades.
Offer available through Cape Light Compact, your local Sponsor of Mass Save®.
Sign Up Now for a Business Energy Assessment
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WE CAN Business Law Consults | |
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Free Business Law Consults Available
Free, half-hour legal consults in business law are available each month from WE CAN legal volunteers. Learn about the best way to organize your business, things to consider in drafting partnership agreements, understand your liability exposure, advantages of registering as a women owned business entity, and more.
Contact WE CAN to schedule an appointment for a Business Law Consult.
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CDP Regional Office Hours | |
The CDP thanks these organizations for the opportunity to use their space to meet with clients and for their demonstrated support of small businesses and entrepreneurs on the Lower Cape | |
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CDP Small Business Services
How Can We Help Your Business?
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Individual Business Guidance
Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner who lives or works on the Lower Cape?
The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses, including:
*creating business plans, cash flow and other financial statements
*marketing and e-commerce
*business formation and organization
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Individual Mentoring through SCORE
A resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE’s mission is to grow small businesses one business at a time.
SCORE Cape Cod offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape.
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QuickBooks Help tailored to your needs!
Did you struggle putting your records together to give your accountant?
Do you use QuickBooks but need to learn how it can do a better job for you and provide you with the information you need when you need it?
CDP Staff offers QuickBooks help. Follow the link below and schedule an appointment to get your business on track.
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Need a microloan?
The CDP has microloans up to $50,000 for small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape. Visit our website for complete program details and eligibility requirements.
Coastal Bridal Boutique
47 Main St. Orleans.
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Professional Services Grants Available for 2023
Many businesses are finding the need to change their business model in these turbulent times. The CDP has Grant Funds available to help business owners hire specialized consultants to quickly implement these changes whether in technology, legal or marketing.
Make an appointment to learn more and to help stabilize or grow your business.
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CDP Small Business Program Funders | |
The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: | |
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Mass Growth Capital Corporation
Cape Air
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
Rockland Trust
Santander Bank
Seamen's Bank Long Point Charitable Foundation
USDA Rural Development
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WE HAVE MOVED! After 30 years at our Eastham location, we have relocated to 260 Cranberry Hwy, Unit 1, Orleans, MA 02653. Our office is open by appointment only. Staff phone numbers and emails remain the same. | |
Follow the CDP on Social Media! | |
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | | | | |
