Local businesses located in the downtown invited to apply for funds for technical assistance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Hyannis, MA – November 4, 2021) In a continued effort to provide local businesses with resources they need to assist in their recovery from the economic impacts of the global pandemic; and to help them gain competitive advantage in a global marketplace, the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District and Love Live Local are collaborating with support from the Town of Barnstable, Amplify POC Cape Cod and MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Program to pilot the Local Business Boost Program offering targeted, one-on-one technical assistance and implementation support to small businesses in downtown Hyannis.
Recipients of the Local Business Boost grants, which range from $1000-$5000, will be able to use the funds to enhance their competitive edge by engaging with service providers for things like ecommerce development, social media marketing and physical improvements to their brick-and-mortar location.
Eligible businesses can find the full online application for the grants and Request for Qualifications (for service providers) athttp://www.hyannismainstreet.com/localbusinessboost/. Applications can be translated upon request. Deadline to apply for the business grant is November 30, 2021. First round of awards will be announced January 15, 2022. Service provider contract recipients will be chosen by January 15, 2022. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2022.
Rather than offering generalized workshops on topics like e-commerce, social media marketing and merchandising that often leave the business owner to find the capital and expertise to execute a growth strategy, the Local Business Boost Program provides direct financial support and focuses on actual implementation. The primary goal of the program is to provide businesses with the financial support as well as the technical expertise to position themselves for long-term success in an evolving market, to capture additional revenue, and attract new customers for the long-term.
“We have been hearing from local businesses that although some were able to access government funds this past year, for many it did not address all of their needs, especially when it came to enhancing their online presence or upgrading their physical space, which has become so much more important because of cultural shifts made due to COVID-19,” said Hyannis Main Street BID Executive Director, Elizabeth Wurfbain. “They have also expressed that most of the technical assistance they receive are instructional where they are left to figure out how to implement recommendations, but for many of our businesses, they do not have the time, staff or financial resources they needed to execute it all.”
Love Live Local will run the operations of the program, matching local talent and specialists with the local small businesses to provide services identified by the program’s intake process. “We know we have incredible talent here on the Cape,” said Love Live Local CEO, Amanda Converse, “and will engage with local professionals who can help the grant recipients do things like develop a social media strategy, rework their website to include the most up-to-date ecommerce solutions, make façade improvements to their building, or remerchandise their store to be more engaging for customers, or create a space for outdoor dining.” She went on to say, “What’s more, we will be compensating them for their work – so the program invests in two local businesses and creates an even bigger multiplier effect for our community”.
The Local Business Boost pilot program was made possible by the Cape & Islands License Plate Grant Program, and is supported by Amplify POC Cape Cod, the Town of Barnstable and MassDevelopment. At least 25% of funds are designated for businesses owned by persons of color and Amplify POC will work with those businesses on their needs assessment. “We look forward to connecting POC-owned businesses in downtown Hyannis with the opportunity to grow their businesses” said Amplify Executive Director, Tara Vargas-Wallace, “as well as its continuation and expansion of the program to other areas in the region in the future.” The partners will continue to seek additional funding in order to have a greater impact on the small businesses in Hyannis.
