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May 2024

Inside Scoop

Bringing You the Latest Tools to Help Your Business

May is Small Business Month

May is also the unofficial start to summer, where seasonal businesses rely on the next 12-16 weeks to generate revenue to carry them through the entire year.

Our friends at Cape Cod Young Professionals offer the following tips to support local small business and help them maximize their presence so locals and visitors find them:

Spread the word: Share your favorite biz on social media, write glowing Google reviews, and get a cool sticker for your water bottle or car.
Engage online: Like, comment, and share their posts on social media to increase their visibility and reach a wider audience.
Attend events: Participate in local events, markets, and pop-ups hosted by small businesses to show your support and discover new products or services.

Small Business Owners Face Hiring and Funding Challenges

A recent MassINC Polling Group survey highlights the struggles small business owners are experiencing in today's economic climate.

64% report difficulty hiring new employees
47% are having trouble accessing the capital needed to grow their business
Despite these hurdles, 71% of small business owners remain optimistic about their company's future.

These are some of the major findings from a survey of 1,800+ small business leaders, providing a comprehensive look into the state's small business landscape. The survey underscores the need for policies supporting small businesses, such as workforce development initiatives and access to affordable capital.

The survey was conducted by The MassINC Polling Group on behalf of the Coalition for an Equitable Economy, with sponsorship from the Mass Growth Capital Corporation and Eastern Bank Foundation. Read more.

Amplify POC Business Basics

NEW Date: June 1, 10am-3pm

Free to the BIPOC Community

Amplify POC Workshops are open to all and free for BIPOC community members through grants specifically to support and uplift the BIPOC community on Cape Cod. If you do not identify as a member of the BIPOC community but would still like to be a participant, there is a $100 Ally Fee for non-members for their workshops. Registration is required.

Regional Digital Equity Workshop

May 16, 12-3 pm

Cape Cod Regional Technical High School

Digital equity practitioners from across Cape Cod will gather to develop collaborative solutions to close the digital divide.

Facilitated by the Cape Cod Commission, in partnership with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, the workshop will identify challenges that our communities face with the internet and technology and establish a network of service providers.

The goal of this event is to inform a strategy for future programmatic and funding opportunities for our region.

Mass Growth Capital Corp's Biz-M-Power Grant closes June 30!

The Biz-M-Power Crowdfunding Matching Grant program offers small businesses financial assistance with their acquisition, expansion, improvement or lease of a facility, purchase or capital lease of equipment, or with meeting other capital needs for the business. Deadline 6/30/24.

Businesses must crowdfund a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $20,000 to receive a 1:1 matching grant from MGCC for a total of $5,000 to $40,000.

LEARN MORE about Biz-M-Power

CDP Referral Program

Each month, anyone who refers an entrepreneur or business owner to the CDP will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate from a local business. We will draw a winner on the 15th of each month.

Be sure the person you refer to the CDP tells Pam or Tricia that you referred them
One entry per referral - refer three businesses, earn three entries
CDP Staff, Board Members and Advisory Council Members are ineligible to participate in the referral raffle program (although we welcome your referrals!)

May's winner, Carol Biondi will receive a gift certificate to the Barley Neck Inn.

REFER A BUSINESS TODAY! YOU MAY BE JUNE'S LUCKY WINNER!

Upcoming Workshops

Read on to learn about lots of exciting workshops and opportunities to start, stabilize, or grow your business. As always, if there is a business topic that you need more information about or assistance with, please reach out to us and we will help find resources to answer your questions.

We look forward to working with you!

Pam & Tricia

Art Related Resources

Assets for Artists have collected Professional Development Resources that they most frequently recommend for artists. Resources are broken down into categories and are mostly geared toward New England artists.

Food Related Workshops, Grants, and Opportunities

5/24 Successful Food Product Development for New Food Businesses

Hydroponics 6-module online course

General Business Workshops and Information

5/21 Corporate Transparency Act

Other Resources

CDP's Small Business Services

QuickBooks Help

Do you need a microloan?

Regional Office Hours

Chatham Works, 5/28, 10 am-1 pm

Provincetown Commons, 6/4, 9 am-1 pm

Brewster Chamber of Commerce, 6/11, 9-11 am

The 204 (Harwich), 6/13, 1-4 pm

Cape Light Compact Small Business Energy Programs

Business Law Consults

Thank you to our community partners for the opportunity to use their space to meet with clients and for their support of small businesses and entrepreneurs.