We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion April newsletter featuring news, updates, and important information from our Cabinet. | | |
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY KICKS OFF WHITE STADIUM CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY FAIR SERIES
Last month, the City of Boston, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, and the White Stadium Supplier Diversity Advisory Group hosted the first of four White Stadium Contracting Opportunity Fairs scheduled for this spring and summer.
The fair welcomed over 50 businesses and more than 70 attendees to the National Center for Afro-American Artists. Participants had the opportunity to connect with representatives from BOND Building Construction, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, and several City departments—including Public Facilities, Procurement, Supplier Diversity, and Planning—as well as the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).
The White Stadium Contracting Opportunity Fair series introduces local contractors to the White Stadium timeline, procurement process, and project team.
On March 13, the City of Boston announced the formation of the White Stadium Supplier Diversity Advisory Group. This coalition of community leaders and small business organizations will support the project team’s commitment to awarding 50% of all contracting dollars to local, minority-owned, and women-owned business enterprises. Businesses and contractors interested in learning more and attending upcoming fairs can use this form to register.
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TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS COLETTE FOLAN GIVES A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE CITY
Mayor Michelle Wu delivered her third annual State of the City Address on Tuesday, March 19. The Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment Department spearheads the execution of the State of the City Address, creating floor plans and working on backstage operations and production.
The day before the Address, Deputy Director of Special Events Colette Folan provided a behind-the-scenes look at the State of the City.
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LA PARADA CELEBRATES APPROVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION
Last month, the owners of La Parada Dominican Kitchen celebrated their new liquor license at an event with Deputy Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright, Director of Nightlife Economy Corean Reynolds, and elected officials. The City of Boston Licensing Board approved La Parada’s liquor license application on February 13.
Located in the heart of Egleston Square at 3094 Washington Street, La Parada serves Dominican cuisine, including sancocho, a wide variety of traditional soups, and classic Dominican breakfast dishes.
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CITY OF BOSTON HOSTS A DELEGATION OF JAPANESE EXECUTIVES
On Wednesday, March 26, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion welcomed a delegation of 17 executives from leading Japanese companies—including NEC, Hitachi, Fujitsu, NTT, Softbank, and SECOM—to Boston City Hall.
The visit focused on how Boston supports the expansion of international businesses, leverages emerging and innovative technologies, and approaches AI governance.
Representatives from the Department Innovation and Technology, including Director of Emerging Technology Michael Lawrence Evans, Chief Information Officer Santiago Garces, and Communications Coordinator Shelby Houghton, shared insights on Boston’s generative AI guidelines, Project Green Light, and the Environmental Sensor Network.
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SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
WHITE STADIUM CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITY FAIR
April 15 | Lena Park Community Center | 6 pm - 8 pm
Join the City of Boston, Boston Unity Soccer Partners, and the White Stadium Supplier Diversity Advisory Group for the second of four White Stadium Contracting Opportunity Fairs scheduled for this spring and summer. This fair will take place on Tuesday, April 15 from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Lena Park Community Center (150 American Legion Highway).
At these events, contractors will learn more about the the White Stadium project’s status, contract opportunities, timelines, and expectations.
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LICENSING BOARD
MATTAPAN LIQUOR LICENSE INFO SESSION
April 15 | The Loop at Mattapan Station | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join the City of Boston Licensing Board, Office of Small Business, and Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council for a liquor license information session at The Loop at Mattapan Station (466 River Street) on Tuesday, April 15 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Business owners looking to apply for a liquor license or learn about the state's 2024 liquor license legislation are encouraged to attend this session.
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ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION
VIRTUAL ADU INFORMATION SESSION
April 29 | Virtual | 10 am - 2 pm
WORC² hosts a free ADU Info Session, sponsored by the City of Boston's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. This session will discuss the City of Boston's ADU program and updated zoning policies, the step-by-step permitting and design process, requirements for homeowners and contractors, and available resources.
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SMALL BUSINESS
FOOD TRUCK LOTTERY
The Office of Small Business hosts the 2025 City of Boston Food Truck Lottery on April 10. The Lottery includes food truck locations across Boston, each with specific operating hours. A complete list of available sites is available on the Food Truck Lottery webpage.
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SMALL BUSINESS
ACTIVATION GRANT PROGRAM
In celebration of Small Business Month this May, the Office of Small Business launched the Activation Grant Program— a new funding opportunity for nonprofits with experience supporting Boston’s small businesses.
Grants will support public, community-led activations during Small Business Month that provide local entrepreneurs and small business owners with tools, resources, and opportunities to grow.
The application deadline for the Activation Grant Program is Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
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In honor of Women’s History Month in March, we spotlighted three women-owned Boston businesses across our social media channels.
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Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion
1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201
econdev@boston.gov
617-635-5729
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