Creating opportunities for people to live, work, & thrive on the Lower Cape | |
Inside Scoop - April, 2023 | |
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Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.
With Earth Month underway, we invite you to consider how you can reduce your small business' carbon foot print. The Small Business Administration offers the following simple steps to integrate in your daily operations to both reduce your carbon footprint and save money:
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Reconsider what you throw away: For all the waste you send to the recycling center instead of the landfill, you drastically reduce your personal CO2 emissions. That goes for all materials, including packaging and office supplies.
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Use your equipment responsibly: Try turning off office equipment when it’s not in use. If your electronic devices aren’t being used for a prolonged period of time, consider utilizing a power-management feature to place them into a low-power “sleep” mode. You can also use advanced power strips that prevent energy from being drawn when it’s not necessary.
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Light the way more efficiently: First and foremost, turn off lights when they aren’t needed. Upgrade your lightbulbs to LEDs, which use about 75% less energy and last 25 times longer compared to incandescent lighting.
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Improve your business space: Buildings account for 39% of global energy related carbon emissions. As a business owner, you can address that in several ways. Block direct sunlight from shining through windows in the summer, while maximizing exposure during the winter. Seal windows and doors with weather-stripping or caulk to prevent air leaks, and install insulation to keep electricity bills down.
Locally, Love Live Local and Cape Light Compact, have released a joint report entitled Energy Matters, which details how energy efficiency in small businesses can create cost savings while also strengthening the local economy and protecting the environment. In 2021, Cape Light Compact provided $3,064,922 to 516 local businesses to make efficiency upgrades that are the energy equivalent of:
- charging more than 285 million smartphones
- powering 296 homes for one year
- 264,380 gallons of gasoline
Sign up for an Energy Assessment today!
Barnstable County’s Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and the national food recovery nonprofit, Food Rescue US, are working together to reduce food waste and encourage donations of excess harvests to food pantries and social service organizations in the region. The partnership’s goal is to reduce both hunger and food waste by rescuing excess food from restaurants, hotels, farms, markets, and other local businesses, and divert it to organizations who are able to distribute to those most in need. If you are a local food provider who would like to ensure their excess food goes to those who need it most instead of the landfill or if you are interested in becoming a food rescuer who volunteers by picking up unwanted food and delivering to organizations in your area who can use it, reach out to Andrea Marczely.
At the CDP's Annual Meeting, the CDP presented its Norm Edinburg Award for Excellence in Community Service to Jess Georges, owner and founder of Green Road Refill. Green Road Refill’s mission is to help pave the way to a more sustainable lifestyle for its customers. In addition to offering low to zero waste products for your kitchen, bath and body, locally made and fair trade gifts, and refillable all natural soy candles, she also has a monthly spotlight on local makers. Visit Green Road Refill in Brewster or visit Sally Sud Shed, a mobile retail store offering refills of over 40 plant based soaps, shampoos, lotions and cleaning products sold by the weighed ounce, at the Orleans Farmers Market and the Falmouth Farmers Market.
Inside Scoop at a glance:
CDP Workshops
Artists - Additional Workshops & Grants
Food- Additional Workshops & Grants
General Business Workshops and Information
Important Surveys and J1 Housing
Other Resources for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs
CDP's Small Business Services - Regional Office Hours
To learn more about these workshops and programs, as well as other topics important to your business, please see below. As always, if there is a business topic that comes up for which you need more information or assistance, please reach out to us and we will help find resources to answer your questions.
We look forward to working with you!
Pam & Tricia
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CDP Small Business Referral Program - Refer a Business
Earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate
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Each month anyone who refers an entrepreneur or business owner to the CDP will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate from a local business. We will draw a winner on the 15th of each month. Here are the details:
- Be sure the person you refer to the CDP tells Pam and Tricia that you referred them
- One entry per referral - refer 3 businesses, earn 3 entries. etc.
- Drawing will be held on the 15th of each month
- CDP Staff, Board Members and Advisory Council Members are not eligible to participate in the referral raffle program (although we welcome your referrals!)
Congratulations to the April 2023 winner: Chris Kelly, a Wellfleet business owner, will receive a $100 gift certificate to Chequessett Chocolate.
REFER A BUSINESS TODAY AND YOU MAY BE THE LUCKY WINNER IN MAY!
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Additional Artist Specific Workshops and Grants | |
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Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
Creative Exchange - Public Art
May 18th 4:00 - 6:00
JFK Hyannis Museum
Join Cape creatives for a relaxed and inclusive networking opportunity for Cape creatives. This month's Creative Exchange includes a discussion about public art with the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's Artist of the Year, Mark Adams.
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Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty
May 11, 18, & 25th
2:00 - 4:00 (virtual)
Over three workshop sessions, artists will learn the importance of—and develop the building blocks for—a goal-oriented plan for their creative career. This highly interactive course is intended for those ready to hone the direction of their practice, identify priority goals unique to them, better understand opportunities for investment, and emerge out of this crisis with an eye toward greater stability.
Learn more and register here.
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The Brass Tacks of Writing Grants
May 31st, June 7 & 14th
11:00-1:00 (virtual)
Learn about writing a grant application from start to finish. Over the course of three sessions, participants will review common application models and draft their own grant sections, as well as have the opportunity to exchange feedback with their peers. Sessions will focus on: GOALS & OBJECTIVES; PROJECT DESCRIPTION; and BUDGETS. Workshop participants will leave this series with a strong draft grant proposal ready to be adapted to any funders’ call for proposals.
Learn more and register here.
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Food Related Workshops and Grants | |
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Agricultural Food Safety Improvement Program (AFSIP)
AFSIP is a reimbursement grant program that supports produce and aquaculture operations that are looking to improve their food safety practices that work towards minimizing the risks of microbial contamination and food-borne illnesses while increasing market access.
Participants selected for funding are provided with reimbursement grants for 80% of total project costs up to $50,000.
Learn more and apply here: Learn more
Applications due: 4:00PM on Friday, May 26, 2023
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From Excess to Access: Join Cape Cod’s Food Rescue Efforts
Local businesses are donating edible food to the Food Rescue program to be distributed to social service organizations across the Cape, instead of throwing it in the trash. Not only does this feed Cape families and individuals in need, it also reduces wasted food that contributes to our landfills.
Learn more about the Food Rescue Program.
These donations are also in compliance with the Massachusetts Commercial Organics Waste Disposal Ban which was enacted in November last year for MA businesses generating one- half ton of food material per week. This waste ban seeks to reduce waste food being thrown out by diverting edible food to pantries, and food scraps or organic waste for either animal feed or composting.
Learn more about the waste ban.
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Addiitonal General Business Workshops | |
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Networking Like Your Business Depends on it ... it DOES!
May 3rd 9:00 -10:30 (virtual)
To grow your business, you need to grow your network. This webinar will provide you with the practical tools that you can use to expand your sphere of influence and grow your business. Participants will leave this session with specific tools that they can use to plan, execute and follow-up on their next networking opportunity.
REGISTER HERE!
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Search Engine Optimization
May 16th 9:00 -10:30 (virtual)
Join this webinar on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and learn how to
improve your website's visibility on search engines. Topics include:
* strategies and techniques for optimizing your website's content, structure, and keywords so that your business will rank higher on search results pages
* how to conduct keyword research, analyze your website's performance,
and track your progress over time
* actionable insights to enhance your SEO efforts and drive more traffic to your website.
REGISTER HERE!
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Important Surveys - Make Sure Your Voice is Heard | |
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Cape Cod 2024 Regional Transportation Plan Update
The Cape Cod Commission is seeking comments and input from the public to support development of the 2024 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP sets the long-range vision for the transportation system on Cape Cod in 2050. It is the primary means for the allocation of federal and state funds for the Cape's transportation needs. The Cape Cod Commission wants to hear from you. What is your vision for the future of transportation on Cape Cod? More sidewalks and bike paths? Increased bus service? Commuter rail? Improved pavement conditions? Replacement of the existing Canal bridges? Safer roadways? Increased access to electric vehicle charging stations?
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2023 Shape the Cape Survey
Cape Cod Young Professionals, a non-profit working to connect, engage, and advance Cape Cod's young workforce and future leaders is conducting its 2nd Shape the Cape Survey and wants to hear from you. The CCYP is collecting insights on key challenges that impact Cape Codder's ability to live, work, and thrive in our region. The responses will inform CCYP’s strategic priorities and guide the development of innovative programs and resources, in collaboration with our community partners (nonprofit organizations, businesses, legislators, etc.), to retain and attract young professionals to the region.
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MGCC Biz-M-Power and Inclusive Recovery Grants | |
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MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners updated for 2023!
Schedule an appointment with Pam or Tricia today to see if your small business is eligible for these amazing opportunities.
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Crowd Funding Matching Grant
For 2023, MGCC increased the matching grant from a 1:1 match to a 2:1 match. This means businesses receive $2 from MGCC for every $1 raised in crowdfunding.
MGCC is partnering with a crowdfunding platform, Patronicity, to assist low to moderate income and underserved entrepreneurs,& small business owners with meeting capital needs of their business through matching grants. Businesses must crowdfund a minimum of $1,500 and a maximum of $20,000 to receive a 2:1 matching grant from MGCC between $3,000 and $40,000. The combination of crowdfunding dollars and 2:1 matching grant from MGCC, businesses can earn $60,000+ through this program.
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Inclusive Recovery Grant
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $75,000,000 available to support small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program targets businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups, underserved markets, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, immigrants, first-generation immigrants, disabled individuals, or those that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. MGCC will administer grants up to $75,000 for eligible small businesses, in a geographically equitable manner.
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Small Business Energy Information | |
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Energy Retrofits for Small Businesses - Weatherization and Heat Pumps:
April 26th from 1:00 - 2:00 (virtual)
Learn how to save energy and improve comfort in your small business facility by weatherizing and installing heat pumps, and get information on financial incentives from the Sponsors of Mass Save to support implementation.
Register >
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WE CAN Business Law Consults | |
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Free Business Law Consults Available
Free, half-hour legal consults in business law are available each month from WE CAN legal volunteers. Learn about the best way to organize your business, things to consider in drafting partnership agreements, understand your liability exposure, advantages of registering as a women owned business entity, and more.
Contact WE CAN to schedule an appointment for a Business Law Consult.
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CDP Regional Office Hours | |
The CDP thanks these organizations for the opportunity to use their space to meet with clients and for their demonstrated support of small businesses and entrepreneurs on the Lower Cape | |
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CDP Small Business Services
How Can We Help Your Business?
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Individual Business Guidance
Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner who lives or works on the Lower Cape?
The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses, including:
*creating business plans, cash flow and other financial statements
*marketing and e-commerce
*business formation and organization
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Individual Mentoring through SCORE
A resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE’s mission is to grow small businesses one business at a time.
SCORE Cape Cod offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape.
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QuickBooks Help tailored to your needs!
Did you struggle putting your records together to give your accountant?
Do you use QuickBooks but need to learn how it can do a better job for you and provide you with the information you need when you need it?
CDP Staff offers QuickBooks help. Follow the link below and schedule an appointment to get your business on track.
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Need a microloan?
The CDP has microloans up to $50,000 for small businesses on the Lower and Outer Cape. Visit our website for complete program details and eligibility requirements.
Deepwater Hot Dogs
Rt. 137, Cape Cod Rail Trail, Brewster, MA 02631
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Professional Services Grants Available for 2023
Many businesses are finding the need to change their business model in these turbulent times. The CDP has Grant Funds available to help business owners hire specialized consultants to quickly implement these changes whether in technology, legal or marketing.
Make an appointment to learn more and to help stabilize or grow your business.
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CDP Small Business Program Funders | |
The CDP's small business and technical assistance programs are made possible by the following funders: | |
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Mass Growth Capital Corporation
Cape Air
Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust
Rockland Trust
Santander Bank
Seamen's Bank Long Point Charitable Foundation
USDA Rural Development
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WE HAVE MOVED! After 30 years at our Eastham location, we have relocated to 260 Cranberry Hwy, Unit 1, Orleans, MA 02653. Our office is open by appointment only. Staff phone numbers and emails remain the same. | |
Follow the CDP on Social Media! | |
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. | | | | |
