City of Cambridge Appoints Small Business Advisory Committee to Plan Safe Reopening Strategy

The City of Cambridge announced today the appointment of 8 members to a new City Manager’s Small Business Advisory Committee. Representing business associations from across the City, the Advisory Committee will provide expert advice and help draft best practices that the City can incorporate into its “Small Business Back to Business” plan. This plan will also include recommendations and guidance on how to safely reopen businesses from the Cambridge Public Health Department, the City’s COVID-19 Expert Advisory Panel, and the Commonwealth’s Reopening Advisory Board.

“Cambridge’s economic recovery plan for small businesses is going to require input from a diverse array of business leaders,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale in a joint statement. “We have a long history of partnership with our business associations, and we are looking forward to collaborating on the creation of safe reopening plans to help the City and our small business community prepare for when and how to reopen. Through the work of the Committee, we will be able to adapt to a business environment that is constantly evolving due to COVID-19.”

The Advisory Committee will also assist with disseminating information on how small businesses can access relief at the local, state and federal level as well as other information critical to the local business community. It will play an essential role in fostering an open dialogue between the business community and the policy-making departments in the City.

Members of the Committee include:

• Jason Alves – Executive Director, East Cambridge Business Association
• Robyn Culbertson – Cambridge Office of Tourism
• Denise Jillson – Executive Director, Harvard Square Business Association
• David Maher – President, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
• Michael Monestime – Executive Director, Central Square BID
• Erinn Pearson – Simply Erinn’s Unisex Salon
• Theodora Skeadas – Executive Director, Cambridge Local First
• C.A. Webb – Executive Director, Kendall Square Association

The Small Business Advisory Committee will be supported by staff from the City Manager’s Office and the Economic Development Division of the Communality Development Department, and will be consulting with other key departments, including the Public Health Department, License Commission, and Inspectional Services, Public Works, and Traffic, Parking & Transportation departments. The inaugural virtual meeting of the Committee will occur the week of May 4.

The City is committed to identifying new resources to help residents and businesses navigate this difficult time. For more information and to sign up to receive updates on COVID-19, please visit the City’s dedicated information page: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19