Technical Assistance Programming

Workshop for Small Businesses

Upcoming Workshops | Próximos Talleres

English Workshops

Virtual Sessions

• Launching Your Food Business Virtual Workshop
  Date: Tuesday April 22 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3r2tkk8j
• Digital Marketing Virtual Workshop
  Date: Tuesday April 29 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/7advd4ye
• The Business Behind the Kitchen Virtual Workshop
  Date: Tuesday May 6 | 5:00-6:00 p.m.
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3r2tkk8j
• Business Succession Planning Virtual Workshop
  Date: Monday May 19 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/5e3nwz4e
• Artificial Intelligence for Business Virtual Workshop
  Date: Tuesday May 27 | 10:00-11:00 a.m.
  Register here: https://tinyurl.com/3sxjz2pn
   

Spanish Workshops | Talleres de Español

• De la Cocina al Mercado: ¡Lanza tu Negocio de Comida! (Sesión virtual)
  Fecha: Martes 22 de abril | 18:30 - 19:30 horas
  Regístrate aquí:  https://tinyurl.com/3r2tkk8j  
• Planeación de tu negocio (Seminario presencial)
  Jueves 15 de mayo | 17:00 - 18:00 horas
  Ubicación: Seminario presencial en 42 Cross Street, Somerville, MA 02145
  Regístrate aquí: https://tinyurl.com/jddhjsdk
• El Negocio Detrás de la Cocina: Operaciones y Gestión de Restaurantes (Sesión virtual)
  Fecha: Martes 6 de Mayo | 18:30 - 19:30 horas
  https://tinyurl.com/3r2tkk8j  

Portuguese Workshops | Oficinas Portuguesas

• Como Definir um Preço para seus Serviços (seminário presencial) 
  Sabado, dia 3 de Maio | 10h- 12h
  Presencialmente em 42 Cross Street, Somerville, MA 02145
  Registre-se aqui: https://tinyurl.com/4tzhfesc

   

FAQ- Workshop Descriptions

Who is eligible to attend the workshops?  

Any current or future business owner of a Somerville business can attend the workshops.

Is there a limit to workshops I can attend?

No, you may attend as many workshops as you’d like, depending on space availability.

Where will the workshops be held?

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?

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?

If the session is in-person, we may require pre-registration depending on capacity. Registration will be shared as workshop details are finalized.   

Individualized Consulting for Small Businesses 

For the Urban Agenda Grant funded program, we are no longer accepting applications. As any additional funding may become available in the future, please check back on this page to see any updates to individualized consulting for small business offerings.  

FAQ- Individualized Consulting  

Who is eligible for one-on-one assistance?  

Any small business in Somerville with fewer than 20 full time employees. 

What is the timing of the one-on-one assistance?  

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?  

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?  

No, these sessions are free.

How will I know if my business has been selected for individualized consulting?

A member of the Economic Development Staff will notify selected businesses and provide next steps.  

What languages are available for one-on-one consulting?

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?

Yes, businesses may be prioritized if there is more demand than spaces available. Please look at the Priority Points Document.   

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.