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!

Business Resources


  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    60 Vibe

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Lawrence
    • Any size
    • Co-working space

    About

    60 Vibe is a Coworking space in a cool, centrally located, mill building in downtown Lawrence. Their mission is to create an environment that supports and inspires you to grow your ideas and build your legacy.

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  • Chamber of Commerce

    Amesbury Chamber of Commerce

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Amesbury
    • Any size
    • Chamber of commerce

    About

    The Amesbury Chamber of Commerce is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to promote and support the businesses of the Amesbury area.

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  • Business Assistance

    Amplify Latinx

    Details

    • Food, Retail, Personal care services
    • Andover, North andover, Lawrence
    • Medium
    • Cohort

    About

    This Program will serve 10 Latinx main streets businesses, such as restaurants, retailers, bodegas, barber shops and salons that have between $100,000 - $500,000 in annual revenues and need support with pivoting and digital transformation to sustain the business.

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  • Incentives

    Brownfields Cleanup Program

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • Grants

    About

    MVPC offers funding for the assessment and remediation of contaminated properties. Find application here.

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance

    Center for Urban Entrepreneurship

    Details

    • Personal care services
    • Andover, North andover, Lawrence
    • Small, Medium, Large
    • Cohort , One-on-one

    About

    This offering is being catered to a specific entrepreneur profile: beauty & personal care services businesses who did not qualify for a PPP loan and need a stabilization plan and operations retooling/support to get their businesses back on track in COVID-19. Additional reopening and general business training for barbers will be delivered to this sector by Janin Duran Consulting; complementing this cohort work.

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    CI Works

    Details

    • Serves all industries, Manufacturing
    • Amesbury
    • Any size
    • Co-working space

    About

    CI Works leases manufacturing and office space that creates energetic work environments in select locations.

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  • Workforce Development

    Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund

    Details

    • Manufacturing, Life sciences/biotech
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • Grants

    About

    This fund invests in demand-driven programs designed by industry sector partnerships that train and place unemployed and underemployed workers.

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  • Business Assistance, Chamber of Commerce

    Creative Collective

    Details

    • Creative, Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley and north shore
    • Any size
    • Chamber of commerce , One-on-one , Business counseling , Workshops

    About

    Creative Collective connects the creative workforce and economic development through connected programs, technical assistance, consultancy, advocacy, and more.

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  • Incentives

    Economic Development Incentive Program

    Details

    • Life sciences/biotech, Manufacturing, Food, Research & devlopment
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • Tax credits

    About

    A tax credit given to Massachusetts companies who are creating or retaining jobs and investing in equipment or infrastructure.

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance

    Enterprise Center

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley and north shore
    • Small
    • One-on-one

    About

    The Enterprise Center works with businesses one-on-one to assesses their needs and pair them up with technical assistance providers.

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance

    Entrepreneurship for All

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Cohort

    About

    We help aspiring entrepreneurs and startups plan, test, launch and accelerate their ventures.

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  • EparaTodos Acelerador de Negocios

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Lawrence
    • Entrepreneurs, Small
    • Business counseling , Workshops

    About

    El acelerador de EparaTodos es un programa gratuito de un año que se ofrece dos veces por año en nuestras comunidades. Este programa ofrece una combinación única de capacitación y mentoría inmersivas, y acceso a una amplia red profesional. Cualquiera que sueñe con iniciar o desarrollar un negocio u organización sin fines de lucro puede postular.

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  • EparaTodos Concursos Lanza Tu Idea

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Lawrence
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Workshops

    About

    Eventos de la comunidad vertiginosos y divertidos que permiten a los emprendedores en las etapas iniciales obtener exposición valiosa y comentarios sobre una idea de negocios sin costo alguno. Excelente oportunidad para crear una red y validar una idea de negocios con posibilidad de ganar un premio en efectivo del EparaTodos Concurso Lanza Tu Idea.

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  • Incentives

    Federal HUBZone program

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley, Hubzones
    • Small
    • Competitive contracts

    About

    The government limits competition for certain contacts to businesses in historically underutilized business zones. It also gives preferential consideration to those businesses in full and open competition.

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance

    Foundation for Business Equity

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Andover, North andover, Lawrence
    • Medium, Large
    • Cohort

    About

    Our flagship program—the Business Equity Initiative—(BEI) provides Black- or Latinx-owned matching businesses with highly qualified Strategic Advisors who spend 6-9 months developing and helping to implement strategic plans.

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  • Chamber of Commerce

    Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Haverhill
    • Any size
    • 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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  • Housing Development Incentive Program

    Details

    • Property developers
    • Lawrence, Haverhill, Methuen
    • Any size
    • 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

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • 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

    • Manufacturing, Agriculture, Life sciences/biotech, Research & devlopment
    • Massachusetts
    • Medium, Large
    • 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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  • Business Assistance

    Janin Duran Consulting Group

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Andover, North andover, Lawrence
    • Small, Medium
    • Workshops , One-on-one

    About

    Janin Duran Consulting Group works directly with corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that want to connect, serve and support the Spanish-speaking business community by providing culturally adapted and result-oriented solutions. They specifically offer Cultural Adaptation of English Language Programs to serve Spanish-speaking community. She will analyze client current curriculum/materials, identify elements requiring adaptation, adaptation and translation of curriculum/materials. Offering Content Creation and Implementation of Targeted Business Workshops, Communication / Marketing Strategy, Grassroots Outreach / Targeted Outreach, Website Analysis (including social media).

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    Jefferson WorkSpace

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • North andover
    • Any size
    • Co-working space

    About

    Co-working space in North Andover where you can choose from a selection of private and team offices, six conference rooms for client meetings and a variety of à-la-carte services.

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  • Incentives

    Life Science Credits

    Details

    • Life sciences/biotech
    • Massachusetts
    • Any size
    • 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

    • Manufacturing
    • Massachusetts
    • Any size
    • 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.

    Learn More
  • Workforce Development

    Mass Workforce Training Fund

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • Grants

    About

    This program helps address business productivity and competitiveness by providing resources to MA businesses to fund training for current and new employees.

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  • Business Assistance, Financing

    MassDevelopment

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Massachusetts
    • Any size
    • Grants , Loans , Tax credits

    About

    Targeted assistance for downtown business and developers, citywide manufacturing finance and real estate finance for non-profit organizations and rental housing, and specialized funding programs.

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  • Business Assistance, Financing

    MassGrowth Capital

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Massachusetts
    • Small
    • Grants

    About

    MassGrowth Capital offers small businesses technical assistance and financing.

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  • Workforce Development

    MassHire Merrimack Valley Career Center

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • 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

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • 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

    Mill Cities Community Investments

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Small, Medium
    • Workshops , One-on-one

    About

    Merrimack Valley CFDI providing workshops and 1:1 Business Technical Assistance and capacity building to assist businesses with reopening, accounting stability, and connections to grants and capital.

    Learn More
  • Financing

    MVPC Small Business Loan Fund

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • Loans

    About

    MVPC provides gap financing from $25,000 to $200,000 for working capital, real estate and machinery/equipment. Find the application here.

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance

    Rethink Restaurants

    Details

    • Food
    • Andover, North andover, Lawrence
    • Any size
    • Cohort , One-on-one

    About

    One on One program: This program is meant for those restaurants who are in immediate danger of closing. With these clients, we will work closely with ownership and management to create a 13-week cash flow using RTR tools. Based on that document, we can assess how much runway a given business has left and create systems/plans to extend that runway. Clients involved in 1:1 consulting will receive one-hour weekly meetings, RTR tools (ie cash flow and menu costing) and e-mail/text/call assistance throughout.  Cohort Program: The series can be thought of as a mini, restaurant-specific MBA. We cover nearly every aspect of running a restaurant (COGS control, Labor management, "financials as a management tool", Vendor negotiations, etc) and give participants the tools to implement industry best practices into their own businesses. The program also serves as an opportunity for collaboration and conversation between owners - the value of which cannot be overstated. Participants are required to commit to twelve workshops, held weekly, over the next several months. The workshop series start date is TBD, but we are targeting mid-November. The specific date depends on enrollment.

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    Rivolve

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Haverhill
    • Any size
    • 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

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • One-on-one

    About

    Get professional business counseling from mentors who have successful business backgrounds.

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    Smart Space

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Lawrence
    • Any size
    • Co-working space

    About

    Coworking space located in the Riverwalk area of Lawrence at Suite 315, 280 Merrimack St.

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance

    Surfside Capital Advisors

    Details

    • Food, Retail, Personal care services
    • Andover, North andover, Lawrence
    • Small, Medium
    • Cohort

    About

    We are a boutique business management consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses, institutions, and families solve problems and make smart decisions.

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    Tech Apprenticeships

    Details

    • Manufacturing
    • Merrimack valley
    • Any size
    • Apprenticeship training

    About

    Apprenti, in partnership with the One8 Foundation and the Massachusetts EOLWD, has launched its Registered Apprenticeship program in the Commonwealth and is accepting applications.

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    Top Knots

    Details

    • Personal care services
    • Newburyport
    • Any size
    • Co-working space

    About

    Top Knots CoWorking is a women's centric co-working space located in downtown Newburyport, MA that was founded by traveling hair and makeup team, Callie Eiserman and Sarah Lord.

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  • Coworking & Makerspaces

    UMass Lowell Innovation Hub (Haverhill)

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Haverhill
    • Any size
    • Co-working space

    About

    Center for startups and entrepreneurs to develop, nurture, and grow their businesses in the Merrimack Valley

    Learn More
  • Business Assistance, Financing

    US Small Business Administration

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Merrimack valley
    • Small, Large
    • Business counseling , Grants , Loans

    About

    Small business loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA)

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  • Incentives

    Vacant Storefront Tax Credit Program

    Details

    • Serves all industries
    • Massachusetts
    • Any size
    • Tax credits

    About

    A program that municipalities can enroll in in order to give tax credits to businesses that occupy a vacant storefront in a designated district.

    Learn More