Business

Welcome to our Town's business resource center, designed to support the growth and success of businesses in our community. This page serves as your one-stop destination for valuable information on permits, licensing, compliance, and opportunities for funding and expansion. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a new business owner, or an investor, here you'll find comprehensive guidance tailored to your business needs. Dive into detailed resources, connect with economic development programs, and explore networking events to propel your business forward.

One Southcoast Chamber of Commerce

One SouthCoast Chamber is the second largest chamber in the Commonwealth and the result of the integration of two strong South Coast organizations – Bristol County Chamber in Fall River and SouthCoast Chamber in New Bedford, both over 100 years old. The “new” chamber serves 19 communities in the South Coast of Massachusetts, including Acushnet, Assonet, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rehoboth, Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Tiverton, RI, Wareham, Warren, RI, and Westport.

One SouthCoast is a progressive organization embracing initiatives that positively impact our business members and the quality of life in the South Coast region. Initiatives include education, economic development, trade shows, and legislative affairs. Read on to learn more about the Chamber, what we do and the multitude of programs we tackle every day. Through a multitude of programs and events, One SouthCoast Chamber works to build a strong business community in our region and advocates at the local, regional, state and federal level for a positive business environment.

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network

Provides free and confidential business advising, technical assistance and low-cost training programs to prospective and existing small businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

Areas of assistance include, but are not limited to:

  • Start-up Businesses
  • Business Plan Development
  • Financial Plan Development
  • Marketing and Sales Strategies
  • Cash Flow Analysis
  • Organizational and Personnel Issues
  • Government Procurement Assistance

Transactional Law Clinic - Harvard Law School

The Transactional Law Clinics (TLC) is a clinical program of Harvard Law School. 

These clinics provide legal assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs, and help in the following areas:

  • Business formation
  • Contract review and negotiation
  • Commercial financing
  • Commercial leasing
  • Community economic development (through the Community Enterprise Project)
  • Real estate purchase and sales
  • Business acquisitions
  • Arts, entertainment and intellectual property matters
  • Nonprofit formation
  • Permitting and licensing
  • Zoning appeals
  • Other transactional legal services

MassDevelopment

MassDevelopment’s bond financing programs offer a cost-effective way for companies to finance capital projects, new equipment purchases, and facility expansions. We also provide loans and guarantees to help grow your operations, and development assistance for early-stage projects. Please note, Mass Growth Capital Corp (MGCC) merged with MassDevelopment within the last year.

  • Small Business Lending
  • Microloans
  • Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program
  • CDFI & CDC Capital Match Grant Program
  • Biz-M-Power Grant Program (2:1 Crowdfunding Grant program)

Phone: (617) 330-2000

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA provides a comprehensive guide to the legal and financial steps you need to take to launch your business.

Center for Women and Enterprise - Eastern Massachusetts

The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit economic empowerment organization whose mission is to strengthen communities and the economy by supporting women to launch and successfully sustain businesses. Opened in 1995, the Eastern Massachusetts Women's Business Center operates in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. We offer consultations, workshops and networking opportunities to help you reach your entrepreneurial goals.

Email: Info.EasternMA@CWEonline.org