Booster shot: Program helps Hyannis businesses get a competitive edge

In the past two years, 27 small businesses in Hyannis have benefited from $156,000 in grants which have helped pay for a new freezer, expanded space, an online marketing person, a new sign, all to help them grow and gain an advantage in a competitive market.

The Local Business Boost Program began as a partnership between the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District and Love Live Local with support from other local and state money, combined with Gateway Cities grants available to Hyannis.

Amanda Converse, executive director of Love Live Local that manages the Boost Program, said the requests businesses ask for are not large, but may be improvements they have been putting off while recovering from the pandemic “so they can compete with the big guys.”

What are the benefits of the Local Business Boost Program

Rather than offering generalized workshops and advice, the Boost Program provides financial support and focuses on implementing the businesses’ needs using local service providers, creating a multiplier effect. In addition to the 27 grants, the program enlisted 44 local service providers, and 44% of the grantee businesses were owned by people of color and 74% were owned by women.

“We want to use all the resources on the Cape,” Converse said. The grants can be for interior and exterior improvements or online presence. Converse said the grantees are asked what their priorities are.

“It’s very flexible, based on what they need,” she said. “We are able to divest the funds to many different uses to take them to the next level.”

The “targeted capital infusion” has helped the businesses thrive, Converse said, “and as a result the community thrives. They contribute to the tax base and are adding so much unique flavor to the place.”

Hyannis Main Street businesses get help with marketing

Elizabeth Wurfbain, executive director of the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District, said the Boost Program has been a big help in customizing "the needs of the business owner with the help of other Cape businesses, such as establishing a social media website, merchandising, marketing or window displays.

Wurfbain said the Boost Program has been able to get a variety of grants, including Mass Development’s Transformative Development Initiative. “I think we have put together a good reputation,” she said of helping to get the grants. “We would love more funds to keep it going.

“Main Street looks better than ever," she said.

The boost grants have helped many new and older Hyannis businesses with a wide range of needs.

What Main Street businesses say about the Local Business Boost Program

Sarah Framson is manager of Jewelcraft at 585 Main St., a family business her father, Gary Framson, started in 1975. The business received a $6,000 grant last year that allowed it to build a new website with a new shopping online feature that Sarah said is very helpful to the business.

The store was also able to purchase a light box for photographing jewelry that improved their ability to take detailed pictures quickly. The business also purchased a new modern sign with its new logo, which makes the store more visible in the busy retail district, Sarah Framson said.

Another grant recipient was Devinto at 539 South St., an eco and ethically conscious fashion line of sole designer and owner, Aiste Zitnikaite. She said the money was very helpful in expanding her business that had been mostly done through online orders. The grant allowed her to create a boutique space to have more products on hand, to contract with a woman to help her with the sewing and to hire someone to do social media and online marketing.

Other Main Street businesses that benefitted includes Food Port International, which bought a more energy efficient freezer; Pupcakes pet boutique that got an additional table for larger dogs; Clau’s Beauty Salon, which was able to expand. Smith Family Popcorn enhanced its exterior. Lance Merritt of 606 Thrift Ave., at 606 Main St., wrote on the Live Love Local website that he is grateful for the money which allowed him to add a dressing room so people wouldn’t have to wait so long to try on clothes.

Funding for the Boost Program is becoming more of a challenge this year, Converse said. “I have explored funding mechanisms at the state level, but have been told that the state is tightening its belt and will not be able to fund initiatives like this in the near future. I have also applied for grants with local banks and we are looking to capitalize the program at $150,000.”

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Hyannis businesses use boost program to create multiplier effect