Cambridge Announces First Round of Small Business Challenge Winners


2/14/2022 • 2 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

Outdoor market on the sidewalk in daylight with twinkle lights.

In November the Community Development Department announced the winners of the Fall 2021 Small Business Challenge. Applications for the spring round of funding are due February 21, 2022.

Four projects earned grant funds in the fall round:

  • Cambridge Local First created a digital marketplace and hosted virtual walking tours to complement their digital holiday shopping guide which promotes their business members during the holiday season.
  • The businesses of Observatory Hill hosted an expanded holiday shopping event with branded items and collective decorations.
  • The Harvard Square Business Association will install new Adirondack chairs for public use around Harvard Square.
  • Businesses located on the 2200 block of North Mass Ave (Spindler Confections, Curio Spice, Urban Hearth, and Nussli 118) will install a large group sign to attract new customers and help destination shoppers. 

Since it launched in 2017, the Small Business Challenge has awarded nearly $70,000 to local businesses, business associations, and groups of neighborhood businesses for projects that bring together neighborhood businesses around shared goals of improved design, promotion, and business resilience. 

The maximum grant award in 2022 is $7,000, and the next round of awardees will be announced in March. Click here to learn more about the Small Business Challenge and access the online application. 

We recommend first-time applicants consult staff in the Economic Development Division to determine if the proposed project meets the grant criteria. For more information, contact Christina DiLisio cdilisio@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4601.