Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape
Tools to Help Small Business
Shopify for Small Business

If you're not selling your products or services online, you are missing out on a huge market that is growing at a tremendous rate. In this 90-minute workshop, you'll learn how to get an online store set up and launched using Shopify. We will cover products, inventory, taxes, shipping, fulfillment, and more.

Hosted by Chris OBrien, founder of Dative , an award-winning web design studio located on Cape Cod.
June 24th 5:30 - 7 pm
Presented via Zoom
(will receive an email link the day before the workshop)
GROW Information Sessions

WE CAN and the CDP will again offer the GROW (Get Results with Others' Wisdom) program this fall. This program for women business owners offers facilitated peer mentoring, accountability, and a safe and confidential setting to work on adapting, stabilizing and/or growing your business in this new economy. The GROW program is facilitated by experienced business owners.

Please register for one of these info sessions to learn more:

Monday June 22 at 6:30 pm
Tuesday June 30th at 9:00 am
Tuesday July 21st at 6:30 pm

All info sessions will be held remotely via zoom. The CDP can provide Technical Assistance if you have not used Zoom before.

The GROW program is facilitated by WE CAN volunteers Virginia Auciello Sullivan and Jean Mojo. Virginia is the President of Auciello Associates, a trainer for Non- Profit Management, a Certified Professional Coach, and has devoted her career to fostering individual growth and development for her clients. Jean is an experienced leader of brands and agencies, with a background in advertising and integrated marketing. She was the President and CEO of Einson Freeman for 21 years, and has been an adjunct professor at both Boston College and Cape Cod Community College.

Please register for the information sessions by calling WE CAN at 508-430-8111 or email Marina Mendoza

Employment Law Workshop
for Small business owners

June 23 6-7:30 pm
Via Zoom
(link will be sent out the day before the workshop)

As businesses plan to reopen and return to work, WE CAN & the Community Development Partnership are collaborating to offer this important Employment Law Workshop that will provide small business owners with what they need to know, co-facilitated by Attorney Julie Moore and Attorney Valerie Samuels. 

The workshop will cover:
  1. Covid-19: safety & health of employees returning to work, safety/health of the public. 
  2. Paid leave during Covid-19 Unemployment: including employees who refuse to be rehired due to making more on unemployment
  3. Preventive measures related to workplace harassment and
  4. Potential discrimination issues as businesses return to work. 
  5. Time for Q& A at the end. 

To register call WE CAN at 508-430-8111 or email or online.
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act

The program and requirements have been updated, take a second look and see if it is right for your business now!

Many businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape had reviewed the PPP loan requirements in April and early May and decided it was not right for them. If you are in that group or just have not finished your application, now is the time to take a second look. Apply through your bank today before the money runs out.

Program changes include:
  • Extending the expense forgiveness period from 8 weeks to 24 weeks
  • Reducing from 75% to 60% the amount of loan funds that must be spent on payroll to qualify for debt forgiveness
  • Allowing businesses that receive loan forgiveness under PPP to defer payroll taxes
  • Pushing back the June 30 deadline to rehire workers to December 31, 2020.
  • Provide leeway on loan forgiveness for business owners who show they could not rehire workers or reopen due to safety standards.
  • Extend the time recipients have to repay the loan. 


Forbes provides a good summary of the update for businesses.

If you have questions about how your business qualifies, please set up a time to discuss with Pam or call your banker.

Reopening Resources

Reopening Massachusetts provides a plan for reopening, including industry specific reopening guidance.

Mandatory Self Certification Requirements - These requirements include a control plan for reopening and post the Compliance and Employer Posters.


Some Phase 1 industry specific guidance:

Phase 2 Opening Part 1


Phase 2 Re-Opening Step 2



In addition to the guidance from the state, there are many other national resources to help businesses find new and creative ways to meet their state requirements.



Reopening will continue to be driven by public health data – which is subject to change. As research and data on this novel Coronavirus continue to develop, this plan can and will be updated to reflect the latest science and data.

If you need help with putting together a re-opening plan for your individual business, the following organizations can help you work through that process:


Community Development Partnership | www.capecdp.org | Eastham, MA 02642
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.