Business Resources
Welcome to the MV Business Toolkit. A variety of resources have been compiled to help you succeed in all stages of business. Whether you want to take a concept and make it real or you are a municipality seeking to attract new businesses, this toolkit will help you navigate through the various resources available. Choose a business stage below and let’s get started!
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Business Assistance
NextStage MBE Academy
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Entrepreneurs, Small, Medium
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Cohort
About
NextStage MBE Academy - Merrimack Valley is an innovative program designed specifically for established small business owners. We provide you with the know-how, training, and networks needed to turn growth plans into action. NextStage Minority Business Entrepreneur Academy - Merrimack Valley is a great opportunity to focus on your goals, maximize your time, and make a big leap forward.
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Business Assistance
EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All) Merrimack Valley:
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Entrepreneurs, Small
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Business counseling , Workshops , Cohort
About
EforAll is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow businesses. In the Merrimack Valley, they offer a free, 12-week Business Accelerator program twice a year, providing immersive business training, mentorship, and access to a professional network. They also host pitch contests and virtual workshops to support local entrepreneurs. Whether you're looking to start a traditional business, a social enterprise, or a nonprofit, EforAll offers the tools, guidance, and community connections needed to thrive.
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Chamber of Commerce
Amesbury Chamber of Commerce
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Serves all industries
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Amesbury
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Any size
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Chamber of commerce
About
At the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to create positive change and continually advocate for member success by actively participating in economic initiatives, capitalizing on promising growth opportunities, and advancing Amesbury’s unique and varied business community.
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Business Assistance
Amplify Latinx
Details
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Food, Retail, Personal care services
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Andover, North andover, Lawrence
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Medium
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Cohort , One-on-one
About
Our ALX BUSINESS PROGRAM offers free bilingual, culturally relevant, and intensive strategic business advice to launch Latino American owned businesses to the next level. We offer individual consulting and facilitate connections to existing resources, increasing access to capital and equitable contracting opportunities.
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Incentives
Brownfields Cleanup Program
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Any size
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Grants , Loans
About
MVPC supports Brownfields revitalization, providing grants and low-interest loans for Phase I and II Assessments, cleanup efforts, and the redevelopment of contaminated properties
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Business Assistance
Center for Urban Entrepreneurship
Details
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Personal care services
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Andover, North andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill
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Small, Entrepreneurs
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Cohort , One-on-one
About
The TLE Center for Urban Entrepreneurship (TLECFUE) offers a comprehensive range of programs tailored to support beauty businesses at various stages of development. The Beauty Career Exploration & Placement Program is ideal for individuals interested in exploring careers within the beauty industry or launching their own beauty ventures. It specifically supports those who may be out of school, unemployed, or justice-involved, offering valuable insights and opportunities within the beauty sector. For beauty school graduates and professionals seeking to formalize their businesses, the Make It Official Program provides essential guidance in building a solid business foundation, preparing participants for success in a competitive market. Additionally, the Digital Optimization Program targets established beauty business professionals with storefronts, offering marketing support and digital tools to enhance their online presence and attract a broader customer base. Together, these programs empower beauty entrepreneurs to thrive and grow in a dynamic industry.
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Coworking & Makerspaces
Collaborative Innovation Works
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Serves all industries, Manufacturing
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Amesbury
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Any size
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Co-working space
About
CI Works (Collaborative Innovation Works) is a dynamic coworking and manufacturing space located at 11 Chestnut Street, Amesbury, MA 01913. It offers adaptable office, co-working, and manufacturing spaces in a vibrant community designed for collaboration and innovation. The facility promotes open interaction among tenant companies, fostering an environment where businesses can communicate, collaborate, and support each other's growth. Amenities include flexible working space layouts for both office and manufacturing needs, favorable lease terms, and access to an expansive network of professionals. This collaborative ecosystem not only provides capabilities to new businesses but also identifies potential new customers for existing ones, facilitating job creation and retention.
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Workforce Development
Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund
Details
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Manufacturing, Life sciences/biotech
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Grants
About
The Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF) invests in demand-driven programs developed by industry sector partnerships to train and place unemployed and underemployed workers into high-demand occupations, supporting economic growth and workforce development across Massachusetts.
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Business Assistance, Chamber of Commerce
Creative Collective
Details
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Creative
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Merrimack valley and north shore
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Any size
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Chamber of commerce , One-on-one , Business counseling , Workshops
About
Creative Collective nurtures the local creative economy by connecting artists, small businesses, and community organizations with resources, opportunities, and each other. We strive to create a vibrant, inclusive environment where creativity drives economic and social progress. Our Mission is to support and elevate the creative workforce and small business community through targeted programs, practical assistance, institutional knowledge, and community advocacy.
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Incentives
Economic Development Incentive Program
Details
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Life sciences/biotech, Manufacturing, Food, Research & devlopment
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Tax credits
About
A tax credit given to Massachusetts companies who are creating or retaining jobs and investing in equipment or infrastructure.
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Business Assistance
Enterprise Center
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley and north shore
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Entrepreneurs, Small, Medium
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One-on-one , Cohort , Business counseling , Workshops
About
The Enterprise Center is an entrepreneurial hub that offers business owners office space, education, and access and connections to small business resources. Serving entrepreneurs on the North Shore and beyond, we invite you to be part of our community. We’re here to help you and your business start, grow and succeed!
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Incentives
Federal HUBZone program
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley, Hubzones
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Small
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Competitive contracts
About
The HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) Program, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), promotes economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing small businesses with preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. By helping businesses secure valuable federal contracts, the HUBZone program stimulates economic development in underrepresented communities, contributing to long-term regional prosperity.
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Chamber of Commerce
Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Details
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Serves all industries
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Haverhill
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Any size
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Chamber of commerce
About
Established in 1888, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and the heart of 14 communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We create and foster a prosperous business environment and support the growth and profitability of our members. We provide the resources, advocacy, information, networking and marketing opportunities for our members’ success.
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Financing, Business Assistance
Growth Capital Division of MassDevelopment
Details
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Serves all industries
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Massachusetts
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Small
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Grants , Loans
About
We provide access to alternative funding, resources, and individualized services to identify and structure solutions tailored to each small business in Massachusetts.
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Housing Development Incentive Program
Details
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Property developers
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Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen
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Any size
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Tax credits
About
HDIP provides Gateway Cities with a tool to develop market rate housing while increasing residential growth, expanding diversity of housing stock, supporting economic development, and promoting neighborhood stabilization.
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Incentives
I-Cubed Finance Program
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Any size
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Loans
About
This program, known as the Infrastructure Investment Incentive Program or I-Cubed, finances significant new public infrastructure improvements necessary to support major new private development.
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Incentives
Investment Tax Credit
Details
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Manufacturing, Agriculture, Life sciences/biotech, Research & devlopment
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Massachusetts
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Medium, Large
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Tax credits
About
A tax credit given to corporations for the purchase or lease of qualifying tangible property. Eligible corporations include manufacturing corporations, research & development corporations, corporations primarily engaged in agriculture, or corporations primarily engaged in commercial fishing.
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Incentives
Life Science Credits
Details
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Life sciences/biotech
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Tax credits
About
The Life Sciences Investment Program and Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program are administered under the MA Life Science Center which awards five different tax credits to certified life science companies.
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Workforce Development
Manufacturing Apprenticeships
Details
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Manufacturing
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Apprenticeship training
About
The Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (NAMC) works to develop the regional workforce pipeline that will provide the skilled employees necessary for advanced manufacturing to remain globally competitive, long into the future.
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Incentives
Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program
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Serves all industries
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Tax credits
About
The Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program was created to aid municipalities in their efforts to revitalize their downtown and commercial areas by encouraging the occupancy of long-term vacant storefronts. The program allows municipalities to use refundable tax credits as a tool to attract businesses to prominent vacancies within a community’s downtown and/or commercial area.
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Financing, Business Assistance
MassDevelopment
Details
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Serves all industries
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Grants , Loans , Tax credits
About
MassDevelopment provides targeted assistance for downtown businesses and developers, citywide manufacturing support, and tailored financial solutions for nonprofit organizations and rental housing projects. The organization offers specialized funding programs, including real estate finance, to stimulate economic growth and foster vibrant communities across Massachusetts.
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Workforce Development
MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Any size
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Workshops , Grants , Business counseling
About
The MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center is a One-Stop career center, providing a wide range of services to job seekers and businesses, youth to adults in the Merrimack Valley.
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Business Assistance, Financing, Incentives, Workforce Development
Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Any size
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Chamber of commerce
About
The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce is the most relevant and effective business to business network serving over 1,000 businesses in the Merrimack Valley communities including Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover, Salisbury, Amesbury, Newburyport, Greater Haverhill, Greater Lowell and Southern New Hampshire. MV Chamber programs, services, and events deliver opportunities to address the needs of local business owners and companies to help YOUR business grow!
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Financing
MVPC Small Business Loan Fund
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Any size
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Loans
About
The MVPC Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), administered by the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation (MVED), provides flexible financing to support job creation and retention in the Merrimack Valley region. The fund offers loans ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to private, for-profit businesses, particularly those unable to secure traditional financing. Eligible uses include acquisition of land and buildings, construction and renovation, equipment purchases, and working capital. The RLF plays a critical role in promoting economic development by helping businesses start, grow, and thrive in the community.
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Financing, Business Assistance
Nectar Community Investments
Details
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Serves all industries
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Massachusetts
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Small, Medium
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Workshops , One-on-one
About
Nectar Community Investments is a community-based financial institution dedicated to fostering economic growth and closing the racial wealth gap by providing essential support to historically underserved small business owners. The organization offers a range of low-cost, flexible financing solutions, including debt and equity capital products designed to address the specific challenges faced by underserved entrepreneurs. In addition to financial support, Nectar provides robust training and technical assistance, empowering business owners to reach their full potential and build wealth within their communities. By combining access to capital with comprehensive advisory services, Nectar Community Investments plays a vital role in helping small businesses thrive and contribute to local economic vitality.
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Coworking & Makerspaces
Rivolve
Details
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Serves all industries
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Haverhill
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Any size
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Co-working space
About
We are a Co-Workspace in Haverhill, Massachusettes that helps individuals and companies be more productive during their workday. We have individual offices, open-seating areas, and conference rooms. Each space has the tools and equipment to handle all of your day-to-day tasks.
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Business Assistance
Score Business Counseling
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Any size
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One-on-one
About
Get professional business counseling from mentors who have successful business backgrounds.
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Coworking & Makerspaces
Smart Space
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Serves all industries
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North andover
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Any size
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Co-working space
About
My Smart Space is a coworking facility located at 565 Turnpike Street, Unit 84, North Andover, MA 01845. It offers a variety of workspace solutions, including private offices, dedicated desks, meeting rooms, and virtual office services. Amenities provided include high-speed internet, mail services, kitchen facilities, and complimentary coffee and tea. The space is accessible 24/7 for members, accommodating the diverse schedules of professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers.
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Coworking & Makerspaces
Tech Apprenticeships
Details
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N/A
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Massachusetts
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Any size
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Apprenticeship training
About
At Apprenti, we create alternative pathways to access tech talent and help organizations address digital skills shortages. Through the time-tested model of apprenticeship, we provide economic mobility to motivated workers by identifying, training, and placing untapped talent in tech careers. Apprenti is an inaugural Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador. We serve on the Advisory Council of Apprenticeships For America. We are proud collaborators with OneTen.
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Financing, Business Assistance
US Small Business Administration
Details
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Serves all industries
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Merrimack valley
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Small, Medium, Large
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Business counseling , Grants , Loans
About
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a wealth of resources and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The SBA provides access to funding programs, including loans, grants, and investment capital, along with detailed guidance on starting, managing, and growing a business. Business owners can also explore government contracting opportunities through specialized programs such as HUBZone, 8(a) Business Development, and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) initiatives.
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