May Momentum: Planning Ahead, Saving Smart & Advocating for Small Businesses

April 2026

Inside Scoop

Bringing You the Latest Tools to Help Your Business

May Moves: Plan What's Next for Your Business

Friends,

May is upon us! As the season shifts and our local economy begins to pick up speed, it's the perfect time for small business owners to pause, plan, and position yourselves for what's next.

This month, we are focused on helping you think long-term and act strategically. We're hosting a Business Succession & Exit Planning Workshop on April 28. This workshop is designed to help owners map out the future of their business with clarity and confidence. Whether you're years away from transitioning or want to be prepared, this session will offer practical steps you can take now.

We enjoyed meeting with several entrepreneurs starting their businesses. We continue to provide individual small business assistance and access to our CDP microloan program to support your immediate needs, from cash flow management to growth planning. Schedule with us at our Orleans office, on Zoom, and during Regional Office Hours in Harwich and Provincetown.

This week, our team visited the Massachusetts State House for Lobby Day with MACDC—joining partners from across Massachusetts to advocate for the policies and investments that keep our communities strong. From housing to small business support, this work matters now more than ever. We are proud to represent Cape Cod and stand alongside so many working toward a more equitable, year-round community. Inspired by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s history and direct connection to the support provided by Community Development Corporations.

Thanks to reps Julian Cyr and Hadley Luddy for hearing us and supporting our efforts.

Here's to a productive, proactive May and to building businesses that are ready for whatever comes next.

Pam & Pelinda

Is Your Business Exit Ready?

Small Business Tariffs Refunds

Does your business qualify, and what can you do to get ready now?

Small businesses may be able to claim refunds on certain tariffs, specifically those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Start by filing through the CBP’s ACE portal using the new CAPE tool (available starting April 20, 2026). Only the importer of record or the party that directly paid the tariff is eligible.

To get a refund, businesses must:

Identify qualifying IEEPA tariffs (not Section 301 or 232 duties)
Submit claims through the CAPE tool in the ACE system
Provide documentation listing affected entries and payments

Claims are not automatic and must be filed manually. Processing typically takes 60–90 days, with 6% interest added to approved refunds.

Key points:

Only the entity that paid the tariff can claim (not end consumers)
Initial refunds focus on recent or unfinalized entries
Many businesses may need help from customs brokers due to the complexity of the process.

For more information, click here.

Small Business Assistance & Micro Loan Program

Make an appointment for Free Small Business Assistance

CDP is ready to support small business owners.

Thanks to grants and donations, the CDP provides free small business services including:

Business Plan Development
Financial Planning, Cash Flow Projections, and QuickBooks Assistance
Record Keeping
Marketing Strategies
Exit Planning - Succession Planning
Accountability Partner
Small Business Financing
Customized Loan Options
Improve Cash Flow

Upcoming Regional Office Hours:

4/23 The 204 in Harwich | 9 A.M. - Noon
4/28 Provincetown Commons | 9 A.M. - 1 P.M.
5/19 Provincetown Commons | 9 A.M. - 1 P.M.
5/21 The 204 in Harwich | 9 A.M. - Noon

Small Business Advocacy

From Main Street to Beacon Hill: Standing Up for Cape Cod Businesses at the MA State House

We spent the day at the Massachusetts State House as part of Lobby Day, joining small business advocates from across the Commonwealth to make sure local voices are part of the state-level conversations.

We met with Senator Cyr and Representative Luddy to share real stories from our business community, including what's working, where challenges remain, and what kinds of support truly make a difference on Main Street.

Upcoming Workshops

General Business Workshops and Information

4/22/26 Developing Your Value Proposition

4/23/2026 Developing Financial Projections for Your New Small Business

4/28/26 Financial Statements, Budgets & Forecasting

5/5/26 Simple Steps for Starting Your Business - Basics

5/20/26 Wills & Estate Workshop

Small Business Tax-Saving Strategies

Maximize Your Savings!

Saving money on taxes doesn't have to be complicated. You can legally lower your tax bill by using proven strategies that keep more of your hard-earned money in your business.

From tracking every deductible expense to making smart decisions about retirement plans, the right approach can free up cash you can reinvest to grow.

You'll see how to make the most of deductions, take advantage of valuable tax credits, and even use timing strategies to manage your taxable income. These methods aren't just for large corporations; they work for small businesses of all sizes when applied correctly.

Read the complete article by SCORE here.

CDP Referral Program

Recent referral prizes include gift certificates to

Crafting Canines, Crystal Borealis, Beach Cottage Living, and Tula+.

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

Join Us at Our Annual Meeting

Learn more about us!

Join us for our Annual Meeting as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to what’s next. We’ll honor those doing the work to support our community and celebrate Jay Coburn for his lasting legacy.

Additional Business Resources