On Tuesday November 18, 2019 Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) announced that the Community Development Partnership (CDP) and Women’s Empowerment Through Cape Area Networking (WE CAN) would receive a $100,000 small business assistance grant to help fund Small Business Mentoring, Training and Technical Assistance programs at the two organizations. This funding supports the CDP’s lending, training and technical assistance programs for small businesses on the Lower Cape with a focus on business owners with low- to moderate-incomes. Specifically, these funds enable the CDP to provide micro-loans of up to $40,000, and offer specialized workshops and individual training sessions with staff and SCORE mentors. Funding also supports WE CAN’s legal consultation resources for businesses and expansion of their GROW Program. The GROW program empowers women with tools, accountability, peer connection, and an experienced facilitator to help grow their businesses.
“Funding from Mass Growth Capital’s Small Business Assistance Grant program makes the work we do to nurture entrepreneurship on the Lower Cape possible,” said Jay Coburn, Chief Executive Officer of the CDP.
“We are particularly excited by our new initiative with WE CAN,” says Coburn, referring to the
new collaboration between the CDP and WE CAN. $25,000 of the grant will be used to support a new initiative targeted to low-to-moderate income (LMI) women entrepreneurs.
A goal of both the CDP and WE CAN is to increase job opportunities for women and support small enterprises that are poised to grow resulting in permanent, living wage employment that can retain residents. Through this collaboration, the CDP will work with WE CAN to reach women business owners by participating in WE CAN’s GROW program and by making legal consultations for businesses available at the CDP office.
”This partnership with the CDP provides the opportunity to expand WE CAN’s GROW program and legal services to the Lower and Outer Cape. We are excited to work collaboratively with the CDP to provide support and resources to early stage women-led businesses,” says Lisa Guyon, Executive Director of WE CAN.
“The Small Business Technical Assistance program is one of the most effective tools we have to incubate and grow small businesses on Cape Cod,” said Representative Sarah Peake. “In my District, from Provincetown to Harwich I see businesses thriving, entrepreneurs succeeding and people working in good jobs, all thanks in very large part to this program. In all, MGCC awarded $3,000,000 to support over 40 non-profit organizations across the state.
To date, the CDP has provided over $3.25M in loans to more than 200 businesses, and over 2200 local businesses have participated in CDP workshops or mentoring sessions.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
The Community Development Partnership supports an array of programs that strengthen our Lower Cape community, providing greater opportunities for all who live here to thrive.
Our work starts with creating affordable homes—so essential to a healthy economy, but a real challenge in communities like ours where seasonal and vacation dynamics drive the market beyond the reach of many who live and work locally all year round.
We also work to launch entrepreneurs and strengthen local businesses. We believe a vibrant future depends on sustaining traditional industries and inspiring new ones—especially when they’re based on renewable natural resources such as fishing and farming.
In all that we do, we aim to protect the natural environment around us through efforts that preserve the character and sustain the future of the Lower Cape.
To find out more information about this organization, go to www.capecdp.org.
ABOUT WE CAN
Since 2001, WE CAN has provided unique, practical services that empower Cape Cod women to achieve lasting positive change for themselves, their families and, ultimately, for the entire community. For more information, visit www.wecancenter.org or call 508-430-8111. For questions or to express interest in WE CAN’s GROW program, please contact grow@wecancenter.org.
About Mass Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC)
MGCC is a quasi-public corporation of the Commonwealth that saves and creates jobs at small businesses, including women, immigrant, veteran and minority owned businesses, by providing financial services and managerial assistance. MGCC also promotes economic development throughout the state, focusing on Gateway Cities and low to moderate income communities.
