Technical Assistance Programming
Under the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development’s Urban Agenda program, The City of Somerville and Brazilian Heritage Community Foundation have joined forces to provide workshops and individualized one-on-one support for small businesses.
Contact Information
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Individualized Consulting for Small Businesses
If you are interested in receiving one-on-one support, please fill out this form.
Once you submit the form, a member of the Economic Development team will reach out with any follow-up questions and provide details on next steps. Please note the business must provide a valid W-9 form to be eligible.
Important: Filling out this form does not guarantee selection for individualized consulting. Spots are limited and if demand exceeds capacity, priority points will be considered. For more details, please review the Priority Points Document.
Office Hours for Assistance
If you have questions or need help filling out the form, Economic Development Staff will be available during office hours.
- Dates: Monday, March 3rd and Monday, March 10th
- Time: 11:00AM-1:00PM
- In-Person Location: 42 Cross Street (SomerViva Office)
- Virtual Option (link will work for both sessions): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87568356605
FAQ- Individualized Consulting
- Who is eligible for one-on-one assistance?
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Any small business in Somerville with fewer than 20 full time employees.
- What is the timing of the one-on-one assistance?
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Businesses will schedule sessions with consultants depending on personal availability. Small businesses can get up to 5 hours of free consulting. Please note that all sessions must be completed by June 30th, 2025. Take this timing into consideration when applying.
- What documents are needed for eligibility?
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The business must be able to provide an up-to-date W9 form. You can find the form here: (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf )
- Are there any costs associated with participating?
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No, these sessions are free.
- How will I know if my business has been selected for individualized consulting?
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A member of the Economic Development Staff will notify selected businesses and provide next steps.
- What languages are available for one-on-one consulting?
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We have consultants that can support English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We may be able accommodate other languages. Please indicate your preferred language while filling out the form.
- Are there priority criteria for business selection?
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Yes, businesses may be prioritized if there is more demand than spaces available. Please look at the Priority Points Document.
Stay tuned for more details!
FAQ- Workshop Descriptions
- Who is eligible to attend the workshops?
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Any current or future business owner of a Somerville business can attend the workshops.
- Is there a limit to workshops I can attend?
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No, you may attend as many workshops as you’d like, depending on space availability.
- Where will the workshops be held?
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The workshops will be held either virtually or in person, depending on the session. Details will be provided on outreach flyers and this webpage.
- What are the topics of the workshops?
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They will range in a variety of topics relevant to small business topics such as financial planning, operations management, succession planning, marketing, and more.
- Do I need to register in advance for the workshops?
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If the session is in-person, we may require pre-registration depending on capacity. Registration will be shared as workshop details are finalized.
Request for Information- Technical Assistance
The City of Somerville’s Economic Development Division is seeking information for technical assistance providers in:
- Business formation, planning, and strategy
- Legal Assistance
- Accounting, bookkeeping, financial management
- Marketing, branding, website creation, graphic design
- Digital Literacy
- Financial Literacy
- Other topics that may benefit a small business
If you are a business, consultant, or non-profit that may be able to support Somerville’s business community, we encourage you to respond to our Request for Information (RFI). Please see the document below for more information. Responses will be accepted on a rolling basis.
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