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February 2024

Inside Scoop

Bringing You the Latest Tools to Help Your Business

Work On Your Business

in the Off Season

February and March are the perfect time to focus on your business and prepare for Summer 2024. Here are some suggestions on ways to take advantage of the "off" season:

Schedule a meeting with Pam and Tricia over Zoom, in person at the CDP office, or our regional office hours at the Brewster Chamber of Commerce, Chatham Works, The 204 Cultural Ars & Municipal Building in Harwich, and Provincetown Commons. Whether its help with your record-keeping, social media, business planning or just having someone to brainstorm ideas, we've got you covered.

Attend a workshop. Are you an artist looking to improve your business skills? Are you in the food industry and need to get or renew your ServSafe qualification? Are you looking for help with your social media? Check out the CDP's business events page to find the workshop(s) that will help you grow.

Need a Loan? We make loans of up to $50,000 to qualified small businesses—money used for working capital, real estate, machinery and equipment, the kinds of things that get fledgling businesses off the ground. Our rates on these five-year Micro Loans are competitive and indexed to the prime lending rate.

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The Small Business Administration reports that as of 2022, there are 161,031 Black-owned employer businesses in the U.S. The SBA offers a number of resources specifically for Black entrepreneurs.

The CDP is pleased to highlight the impact of Amplify POC Cape Cod. As set forth on its website, "Amplify POC is committed to eliminating the racial wealth gap (disparity in assets across race and ethnicity) by removing barriers created by systemic racism. Amplify POC promotes racial equity by providing accessible resources and education that enhance visibility and increase sustainable ownership opportunities for communities of color."

We encourage our readers to sign up for Amplify's newsletter, use their online directory of businesses owned by People of Color, attend their events, volunteer, and donate to their organization.

The Art of Doing Business

as a Creative

The CDP is excited to team up with the Provincetown Commons on this six-part workshop series. Offered in person and via Zoom, topics include:

Feb 27 - How to Approach and Work with a Gallery with Jill Rothenberg-Simmons and Anne-Marie Zehnder

Mar 12 - Building Networks, panel discussion with Phil Jimenez, Taryn Miller-Stevens, and Pete Hocking

Mar 26 - Grants and Residencies, panel discussion with Liz Collins and Michael Waugh

Apr 9 - Writing and Talking About Your Art with Pete Hocking

Participants will have the opportunity to meet with panelists to review their business plans, objectives, and next steps. They will also have an opportunity, at the end of the workshop series, to practice their elevator pitch. Register for the entire series or an individual workshop.

PPP Loans under $100,000 in default are slated for collections starting March 4th. Learn what you will need to do to apply for Direct Forgiveness:

• Failure to comply will result in referral to the U.S. Department of Treasury for collections with major fees

• PPP borrowers can avoid default and repercussions by completing the PPP forgiveness application

Attend a workshop on February 22nd from 10-11 am or 4-5 pm to learn what you need to do to apply for Direct Forgiveness before March 3rd.

Please Complete this Small Business Survey

Responses due March 10th

Massachusetts small businesses are asked to complete a 15-minute survey. 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. Participants may enter into a chance to win one of ten $500 gift cards.

TAKE the MGCC Survey by March 10th

CDP Referral Program

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.

Be sure the person you refer to the CDP tells Pam or Tricia that you referred them
One entry per referral - refer three businesses, earn three entries
CDP Staff, Board Members and Advisory Council Members are ineligible to participate in the referral raffle program (although we welcome your referrals!)

REFER A BUSINESS TODAY! YOU MAY BE MARCH'S LUCKY WINNER!

Upcoming Workshops

Read on to learn about lots of exciting workshops and opportunities to start, stabilize, or grown your business. As always, if there is a business topic that 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

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant: To build resilience in the middle-of-the-supply-chain and strengthen local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for producers. Due 3/29

Snack Shack at Hyannis Harbor weekly rentals June - November

General Business Workshops and Information

Entrepreneurs Forever Online Learning Session 2/27

Google My Business 3/7

CDP Small Business Help Session - Part of the Wellfleet Chamber Winter Workshop Series 3/7

Protecting Your Brand Like a Boss 3/9

Networking Like Your Business Depends on It-It Does 3/13

Automating Email Marketing 3/19

Other Resources for Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Cape Light Compact Small Business Energy Programs

Business Law Consults

CDP's Small Business Services

QuickBooks Help

Do you need a microloan?

Regional Office Hours

Provincetown Commons, 3/5, 11-3 pm

The 204 Cultural Arts Building (Harwich), 3/7, 10 am -1 pm

Brewster Chamber of Commerce, 3/12, 9-11 am

Chatham Works, 3/26, 10 am-1 pm

* The CDP thanks our community partners for the opportunity to use their space to meet with clients and for their support of small businesses and entrepreneurs on the Lower Cape.