Business Planning

NewVue Communities provides a one-on-one technical assistance to help small businesses develop a business plan that will help grow a business, obtain more capital or provide proof of concept for a start up.

The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce hosts bi-monthly training sessions geared towards both start-up and existing small businesses looking to expand.

Grants and Loans

The PACE Program: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) for commercial buildings is a new mechanism to finance energy improvements, such as energy-efficiency projects, renewables, and gas line extensions, on commercial and industrial properties in Massachusetts. To finance improvements, a property owner agrees to a betterment assessment on their property, which repays the financing.

ADA Accessibility Grant: Building owners located in the Urban Renewal District who need to make building alterations to comply with ADA requirements and building codes related to accessibility standards are eligible for 80% of equipment/material costs related to accessibility improvements up to $20,000, Owner must comply with city procurement standards, invoices and payments must be documented; work must be completed and signed off by local building dept. authorities prior to reimbursement.

Downtown Business Loan Pool: Funded through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the City of Fitchburg supports small businesses in the City with a primary focus on Main Street businesses. 

Economic Development Incentive Program: The Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) is a tax incentive program designed to foster full-time job creation and stimulate business growth throughout the Commonwealth. participating companies may receive state and local tax incentives in exchange for full-time job creation, manufacturing job retention, and private investment commitments. 

Market-Rate Housing Incentives: For market-rate housing development, the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) offers two incentives: a local-option real estate tax exemption on all or part of the increased property value resulting from improvements, and State tax credits that are awarded through a rolling application process. 

Main Street Fit-Out Grant: The Storefront Fit-Out Grant was created to provide certain funds to eligible landlords and business owners to defray a portion of the costs incurred in fit-out of new businesses in existing spaces in downtown. Landlord or tenant fit-out grant funding, which may cover up to 50% of the construction cost, will be considered for projects that have a total project cost of $10,000-$60,000 (meaning $5,000-$30,000 in grant award). Please contact ReImagine North of Main Director Joseph Ferguson for additional information. 

Architectural Supports: ReImagine North of Main pairs prospective Main Street businesses with an architect to serve as the "Designer on Record" to help that business work through the permitting process. 

Micro Lending: The North Central Chamber's Development Corporation offers up to $150,000 for leasehold improvements, inventory, purchase of equipment, refinancing of business debt (up to $50,000), working capital, real estate, or gap financing (partnering with a bank). 

A full list of resources and incentives is available here.