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Economic Development Practice

Small Business Technology Empowerment
The BMSF Technology Initiative began one year ago with the mission of modernizing Main Street districts with industry leading technology and businesses processes. In an economy defined by educated, customer centric demand we knew this to be the best path for small businesses to compete in a global marketplace.
The new reality of COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to the small business community, upending the lives of not only entrepreneurs but the families that rely on their existences. With resulting shifts in the consumer behavior, we repositioned program objectives and technology to focus on ecommerce, online ordering and expense reduction. These changes will help save many Main Street businesses, at risk of closure with Covid-19, and position them for longer term growth.
Our program has proven to be a successful partnership between the BMSF, Boston Main Streets Program and technology providers willing to discount and adapt their solutions. This formula shapes more sustainable businesses, making them better able to withstand whatever 2021 brings.
Through a grant from Citizens Bank, we provide qualifying BMSF businesses a bundled offering of technology which has been proven to reduce costs and increase sales. This bundle includes at no cost to the participating businesses:
With multiple vendor partners offering best in class hardware, we’re able to provide free hardware to participating businesses.
Ordering through the client’s website is paramount to staying open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online menus and integration were created through the collaboration of Quantic, CRA, and the merchant to create a streamlined experience on brand for their establishment.
Whether retailer or restaurant, online sales is predicated on the customer finding the businesses’ website and having a great experience once on the page.
Along with a free optimized websites, all participants receive web training, search engine optimization, and marketing assistance.
Monthly expenses such as internet and credit card fees have a major impact on small businesses. Working with Cygnus and Comcast has enabled our program to make substantial difference to dozen’s of businesses.
Empowering businesses goes beyond Day-1, proper mentoring is required to see long-term results. We’ve partnered with SCORE to ensure the businesses we work with have the best chance for success.

Our Impact in the Community
Our Tech Initiative has impacted 14 businesses across seven BMSF districts since the pilot phase. These efforts have generated ~$40k in projected cost savings and $76k in new online ordering sales. Over 67% women-owned and 75% minority-owned enterprises.





Program Demographics (Race)
Program Demographics (Gender)

Feedback from the Boston Main Streets Foundation
The Boston Main Streets Foundation, a public-private initiative established by the City of Boston in 2007, has been the driving force behind the revitalization of the City’s neighborhood commercial districts. BMSF is committed to making Boston’s neighborhood commercial districts thriving, vibrant centers of commerce and community.
The Foundation seeks to develop long-term strategies to increase the economic power and resources of neighborhood commercial districts while pursuing initiative that build knowledge and capacity for Main Streets programs and the businesses they serve.




Program Partners
Managing Partners, Economic Development Practice

Grant Cohen
Grant serves as a Managing Partner in CRA's Economic Development Practice founded in 2019. Prior to working with BMSF and the City of Boston, he has developed community impact programs for Esperanza International, The First Tee, RISPCA and the Amos House. Email: gcohen@cambridgeretailadvisors.com

Joe Lawlor
Joe serves as a Managing Partner in CRA's Economic Development Practice founded in 2019. After earning his MBA in 2011 he's been working with local economic development committees and his own firm to provide small business support and development through technology. Email: jlawlor@cambridgeretailadvisors.com