Bringing you the latest tools to help your business.

We're officially in the dog days of summer. We know you are busy, busy, busy making the most of the tourist economy. Here at the CDP, we are busy planning a robust workshop schedule beginning in the Fall, but we are only a phone call or click away to answer any questions. 

• Statewide Small Business Survey - Your Response is Requested by 7/28
• EforAll Cape Cod Fall 2022 Accelerator Program - Apply by 8/10
• Assets for Artists - Mindset & Money Workshop on 8/2
• Need a commercial kitchen? Learn more about the Cape Cod Culinary Incubator
• Do you know about Barnstable County's Small Business Hazardous Waste Collections? 
• July is Independent Retailer Month
• Is a Recession Coming? How to Prepare (just in case!)
• MGCC Digital Capacity Grant extended into 2023
• Cape Light Compact E-Bike incentive program for businesses and consumers
• Business Law Consults Available
• CDP Business Assistance staff is here to help - Make an appointment today
• QuickBooks Help
• Do you need a microloan or professional services grant?

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 email or call. CDP staff will help find resources to answer your questions.

Pam & Tricia

Small Business Survey

Make Sure Cape Business Owners are Heard - Respond by July 28th 

The Coalition for an Equitable Economy, MassINC Polling Group, and Mass Growth Capital Corporation are partnering to conduct a survey to understand the current state of Massachusetts small business, and their needs, challenges and opportunities for growth. 

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and how they manage through the current climate is a crucial part of building a resilient and inclusive economy. Your valuable feedback will be used to help inform policy and programmatic decisions about the support and resources small businesses need now and in the future.

Please be prepared to spend about 10 minutes on this survey. Your answers will only be analyzed together with other responses, and will never be used to identify you personally.

At the end of the survey, you will have a chance to provide your contact information for a chance to win one of twenty prizes, ranging from $250 to $1,000. Prizes are made possible thanks to Harvard Catalyst.

Please complete the survey to ensure that the current needs of small businesses on Cape Cod are recorded. Thank you.

EforAll Cape Cod

Fall 2022 Accelerator Program

Apply by 8/10

The Accelerator is a free, one-year program offered twice a year in EforAll communities. It provides immersive business training, mentorship and access to an extended professional network. Anyone with a dream to start or grow a business is encouraged to apply.

Learn more here.

Need Access to a Commercial Kitchen?

Looking to sell your food products at farmer's markets this summer? Do you usually use a restaurant's kitchen in the off-season but can't access it during the busy summer season? Are you looking to scale up your production? Are you an aspiring food maker looking for advice on how to get started or a place to develop recipes?

Cape Cod Culinary Incubator is accepting applications to its state of the art, 1500 sq. ft. kitchen which features double-stacked convection ovens, proofing/baking ovens, steam oven, 6 burner gas range, 30-gallon steam kettle, tilt skillet/braiser, griddle, fryolators, walk-in cooler and freezer, mixers, and more. This shared-space kitchen enables food entrepreneurs to have a platform to launch their food-based products in a certified commercial kitchen.

CCI believes a successful culinary enterprise requires a community of service providers, mentors, advisors, and especially the foodies who ultimately support the venture. CCCI coordinates events to meet the makers, and provides a host of resources to help makers succeed. Please note, as with all commercial kitchens, users will be required to have food safety and allergen certifications, appropriate business licenses and insurance.

Individuals interested in membership and/or renting the kitchen are invited to schedule a Kitchen Tour or email Linda Davey, Board President to learn more.

Are expensive disposal costs taking a bite out of your bottom line?

Learn more about Barnstable County's Small Business Hazardous Waste Collections. The Barnstable County Hazardous Materials Program offers a low-cost way for businesses to dispose of this waste in a legal, cost-effective, and responsible way.

Did you know that July is Independent Retailer Month? Independent retailers are a cornerstone of any local economy. They serve as the foundation for thriving, sustainable communities by creating jobs and providing services. Show your support by shopping at an independent retailer and if you are thinking about starting your own business, the SBA has resources to help you along the way.

Learn more

Is a Recession Coming? How to Prepare (just in case!)

Some people predict a recession is coming, while others dismiss the notion since the nation is essentially at full employment. But many small business owners are worried a recession is looming. According to the latest Small Business Recovery Report, issued by Kabbage from American Express, 83% of small business owners are concerned a recession is coming soon. But entrepreneurs tend to be optimistic, and in that vein, 80% are confident they can withstand it.

Interestingly, the business owners are so confident they can withstand a recession because they survived the COVID-19 pandemic. They say the pandemic “helped them find a greater sense of resilience and preparedness to be successful in the future, despite economic turbulence.”

Due to inflationary pressures, many of the businesses surveyed have already raised their prices, so they’re in a stronger financial position in case a recession comes, but many are still struggling with supply chain disruptions.

SCORE Mentor, Rieva Lesonsky, president and CEO of GrowBiz Media, a custom content and media company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship, and the blog SmallBusinessCurrents.com, sees the following as important steps for businesses to take today:

• Cash Flow is King - it's critical for you to keep the cash flowing; examine those accounts receivable and accounts payable today
• Diversify Your Sales Channels - diversify your sales channels to reach as many customers as possible
• Keep Investing in Marketing - branding is your “primary differentiator,” so it’s a good time to make sure your branding looks current and that you use it consistently in your store, office, facility, online, and in your marketing materials
• Financial Options - the time to borrow money is before you actually need it; contact your lenders now if you are concerned you might have trouble meeting your financial obligations during a recession

Read the full article here.

Remember, the CDP is here to help you with all these suggestions. Reach out with your questions any time. 

MGCC Grant Programs for Small Business Owners extended into 2023!

Please read more about both programs below and follow the links. If you think either of these programs is a fit for your business, conntact pam@capecdp.org or call 508-240-7873 x18.

Digital Capacity Building Grant 

MGCC's Empower Digital Grant provides funding (up to $5k) for tools and services to develop digital capabilities for your small business. MGCC will make these funds available for eligible businesses until funding is fully disbursed. MGCC no longer requires a "brick & mortar", public-facing store front. MGCC will cover up to $5,000 without requiring the 20% from the business owner. MGCC will now pay the Business Owner the grant funds upon submission of the Project Completion Certification Form.

Eligible MA-based small businesses must be sponsored by MGCC's SBTA providers.

Cape Light Compact Offering

Income Eligible E-Bike Incentive Program

How it works: The Compact will issue vouchers that can be used at participating bikes shops to cover 75% of the cost of an e-bike up to $1,200.

The voucher will also cover up to $125 toward the cost of bike accessories (e.g., helmet, bike lock, bike lights, or pump).

The Compact will also cover the cost of bike maintenance for the year following purchase.

Customers will also receive a $100 gift card from the Compact if they schedule and complete a Home Energy Audit through the Cape Light Compact (gift cards will be issued upon completion of the Audit). Audits are available to homeowners and renters.

Who is eligible: Any adult year-round resident of the Cape or Martha’s Vineyard who meets the income requirements. Anyone currently on an income-eligible utility rate or meeting the Compact’s income-eligible criteria qualifies for a voucher. Only one voucher per household will be issued.

Requirements and benefits for participating bike shops: 

• Collect Program vouchers from participants;
• Stock (or have available for order) affordable models of e-bikes; and
• Promote the Program by displaying the customer-focused flier (to be provided by the Compact) in a visible place.
• Participating bike shops will execute a contract with the Compact and will need to provide evidence of commercial liability insurance. The Compact anticipates issuing between 150 and 200 e-bike vouchers.
• The Compact will pay participating bike shops an administrative fee for each bike sold (anticipated to be 10% of the retail price of each bike)
• Bike shops will gain access to a new customer base
• The upfront costs of e-bikes will be covered by the Compact
• Bike shops will be listed on Program website and all Program literature

Questions? Contact the Compact for more information

CDP offers Individual Business Guidance in a number of ways.

How can we help your business?

Individual Business Guidance

Are you self-employed, a solopreneur or a small business owner, and live or work on the Lower Cape? 

The CDP offers individual business guidance for all types of businesses.

What are your business needs?

Individual Mentoring through SCORE

SCORE offers individual mentoring across the Cape. The CDP partners with SCORE to offer mentoring on the Lower Cape.

Professional Services Grants Available for 2022.

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.

Mass Growth Capital Corporation

Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation Trust

Santander Bank

Seamen's Bank Long Point Charitable Foundation