We are excited to announce that Mill Cities Community Investments (MCCI) in alliance with three partner organizations—EParaTodos, TLE Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, and Family Services of the Merrimack Valley—was awarded a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant from the Baker-Polito Administration’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (click here to read the press release).
Catalyze Lawrence is focused on small business development in Lawrence and supports a wide range of business owners, including BIPOC, low-income, historically disadvantaged or underrepresented, and/or formerly incarcerated individuals, with business stages ranging from aspiring entrepreneurs to established businesses. Through this partnership, entrepreneurs in Lawrence seeking to start or sustain a business have access to the highest quality support, no matter their starting point. Key offerings of each partner include:
Mill Cities Community Investments: Ongoing highly culturally and linguistically competent technical assistance and training (e.g., QuickBooks, credit building) in support of access to capital, as well as a host of flexible, low-cost small business loan options. For more information, contact Aaron Lackman at 978-254-1427 or aaron.lackman@mccinvest.org.
EparaTodos Lawrence: 12-week Business Accelerator program for Spanish-speaking early-stage entrepreneurs, complemented by ongoing mentoring and access to capital (via pitch contests) and networks. For more information, contact Adriana Acosta, Program Manager, at adriana.acosta@eforall.org or 978-242-7277.
TLE CFUE: 4-module (up to one year) Business Exploration and Start-Up training program tailored to low-income, previously incarcerated, or court-involved individuals interested in starting a beauty career or business. For more information, contact Tricia D. Young, MBA, Founder & Executive Director at 401-615-4613 or tyoung@tlecfue.org.
Family Services of the Merrimack Valley: Wrap-around support services, including parenting classes, case management, and referrals for participants in TLEFCUE’s cohort. For more information, visit https://fsmv.org/.
The partner organizations of Catalyze Lawrence serve hundreds of businesses in Lawrence and across the Merrimack Valley; bringing these organizations together through a unified partnership multiplies our impact and provides Lawrence-based entrepreneurs and business owners with a menu of small business development options that meet them where they are in their entrepreneurship journey. Please spread the word and direct aspiring and current Lawrence-based entrepreneurs to www.mccinvest.org/CatalyzeLawrence.
For general program information, contact Alexandra Nova, alexandra.nova@mccinvest.org.