We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion February newsletter. Each month, we share news, updates, and important information from our cabinet.

OEOI WELCOMES CONSUL GENERAL OF INDIA IN NEW YORK TO BOSTON CITY HALL

On January 2, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion welcomed Ambassador Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, and Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph to Boston City Hall, joined by Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Alliance. 

The meeting focused on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement to open a new Indian consulate in Boston and how the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion can support and collaborate with the Indian government in establishing this consulate.

JADU, A SPACE GRANTEE, OPENS IN JAMAICA PLAIN

On January 13, representatives from the City of Boston, including Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu and Director of Business Strategy Alia Hamada Forrest, joined Jadu owner Maya Mukhopadhaya for a ribbon cutting ceremony at her new coffee shop at 767 Centre Street. Soon, Jadu will extend their hours, moonlighting as a wine bar with one of the city’s new liquor licenses.

Jadu received a SPACE Grant from the City of Boston. The SPACE Grant program has supported over 90 businesses, using over $10.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help them with expenses related to new lease agreements.

DIRECTOR OF NIGHTLIFE ECONOMY COREAN REYNOLDS ATTENDS FAMILY PASTA MAKING CLASS AT LITTLE COCOA BEAN CO. SUPPORTED BY THE WAKE UP THE NIGHT GRANT

On January 15, City of Boston Director of Nightlife Economy Corean Reynolds participated in a family pasta making class, hosted by Little Cocoa Bean Co. and Tonino, at the Jamaica Plain Branch of the Boston Public Library. 

During the class, Tonino's Brian Fitzgerald led families through the process of mixing and kneading pasta dough, shaping pasta, and making a simple pomodoro sauce. At the end of the event, families left with a box of their homemade pasta and fresh sauce made earlier in the day by Chef Brian.

The Office of Nightlife Economy supported the event with a Wake Up the Night Grant, which awarded individuals and organizations up to $10,000 for free, public nighttime activations.

The City of Boston recently released Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for both an operator for the coffee shop on the third floor of City Hall and an Open Streets event coordinator.

BOSTON CITY HALL THIRD FLOOR COFFEE SHOP

The City of Boston is seeking a tenant to lease Boston City Hall’s third floor lobby coffee shop space who can activate and enhance this open and inviting destination for employees, visitors, and stakeholders across the City and region.

The RFP deadline is February 11, 2025.

OPEN STREETS EVENT COORDINATION SERVICES

The City of Boston is seeking an experienced event planner to organize up to five Open Streets events in Boston neighborhoods per summer and fall seasons of 2025, 2026, and 2027.

The RFP deadline is February 20, 2025.

BOSTON MAGAZINE

New Cafe Jadu Brings Magic to Jamaica Plain (AndYes, There Will Be Wine)

This globally inspired Centre Street spot is Boston's latest entry in the local cafe-to-wine bar movement. [READ MORE]

FDI INTELLIGENCE

IPA roundtable: attracting Investment to US secondary FDI cities

Economic development chiefs debate the appeal and challenges of the country’s tier-2 investment hubs. [READ MORE]

WCVB BOSTON

Boston's MLK event calls for unity, action under new presidency

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast takes place every year to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy, and this year, it happened just as a new president was being sworn in. [WATCH VIDEO]

SERVICES | EVENTS | NEWS | DEPARTMENTS

Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion

1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

econdev@boston.gov

617-635-5729

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