SOUTH COAST SMALL BUSINESSES TAKE NOTE: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Massachusetts will visit the New Bedford TDI district on Monday, August 12, from 5 to 7 PM, at the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC)—235 North Front Street, New Bedford—for an in-person information session on the Growth Capital fund and other LISC programs and opportunities. 

LISC is actively seeking businesses from the South Coast that would be good candidates for its growth capital fund. These are established businesses with revenues between $250,000 and $3 million that are owned by underrepresented and under-resourced entrepreneurs who are looking for financing for a strategy they are pursuing to grow their business, including job growth. 

LISC has a recoverable grant specifically for small businesses on the South Coast. The funding is designed to help businesses implement their growth strategies. 

LISC Massachusetts developed a Growth Capital Fund that provides entrepreneur-friendly investments in sizes large enough to have a real impact. The fund is structured as a recoverable grant, with repayment tied to the company’s gross revenue. With a grace period of one year before repayment begins, the business has time to grow its revenue.

Get more information at the meeting on Monday, Aug. 12 at the Community Economic Development Center in North End, New Bedford. Learn more about LISC Massachusetts here. 

 

FESTIVAL: The big news this month waits until the end of the month: On Saturday, August 24 Festival Tipico Guatemalteco de New Bedford takes place in Riverside Park, New Bedford! The eagerly anticipated festival will include the traditional Baile Covite and Baile de Toritos (pictured in featured photo), Guatemalan contemporary bands Los Chapinicitos Musical and NBMusical, singer Ashley Soto and guitarist Manuel Torres. There will be food vendors, artisan crafts, and children’s activities too. And as always, expect a few surprises during this fun-filled day.

MOVIE IN THE PARK: Riverside Park will also be the spot to catch an outdoor screening of “Despicable Me 3” on Friday, August 16 at dusk. The free screening is being organized by the Community Economic Development Center. Bring a chair or blanket and catch a flick under the stars!

HOLD THESE DATES: Last summer, New Bedford TDI District was thrilled to host a special series of community events called “Love The Ave Wednesdays” from late July through August. This year, we’ve moved the calendar up a bit with some special events planned for August 28 and September 14. The details are too hot to share now; be sure to follow Facebook.com/LoveTheAve for more information soon! 

 

SUSTAINABLE ISLAND PARK: Kathryn Duff of Studio2Sustain in New Bedford provides this Island Park project update and image for us this month: “Island Park ‘Campidoglio’ under construction…the Cape Verdean Association sustainable net-zero Island Park is well underway – rain garden, permeable pavers, and storm water system diverting adjacent roof runoff in place and functioning! #climatechangesolutions #CVAbuildingsustainablecommunities #sustainabilityleadership” The park is adjacent to  the future Cape Verdean Cultural Center on Acushnet Avenue, the former Strand Theater.

LOVE THE AVE FOODIE: FUN 107’s Gazelle writes, “Recently, I embarked on a flavorful journey through Acushnet Ave, lovingly dubbed ‘The Ave,’ courtesy of New Bedford Food Tours…this experience was nothing short of blissful, educational, and deeply satisfying.” Read the full article here. HOT TIP – The next North End Food Tours happens on Saturday, August 10. Find out more and get tickets at this link.

ROYAL T: The former Chuck’s China Inn at 1856 Acushnet Avenue is now home to the Royal T featuring “Coffee Tea & Bites.” Read about the new hot spot via WBSM here. 

 

NOTED – The Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford: CVANB last month was awarded the 1st Degree Distinguished Service Medal/ Medalha de Serviço Distinto 1 Grau by the Government of Cabo Verde for its work in preserving and promoting Cabo Verdean culture. They were honored to accept this award from the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde Jose Ulisses Correia e Silva and his delegation during a gala dinner celebrating the 49th Anniversary of the Independence of Cabo Verde at Venus de Milo restaurant. Congratulations to all the Cabo Verdean organizations – including New Bedford’s Cape Verdean Recognition Committee, Inc, which also received recognition at the celebration. 

 

• The New Bedford TDI District is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood in the central economic corridor of the city’s North End. This distinct neighborhood is characterized by its linear commercial spine of small business storefronts on the ground level of one- and two-story tenement structures along with ethnic restaurants, cafes, bakeries, churches, and social clubs. The supporting dense neighborhood is comprised primarily of multifamily housing for legacy Portuguese-descent residents and Latino, Hispanic, and Central American immigrant populations. At the forefront of priorities for the New Bedford TDI Partnership is place-based economic development that focuses on small-business development, entrepreneurship, and public realm improvements with an arts-and-culture-based approach. Adelsa Mendes is the TDI fellow for the New Bedford TDI District. You can reach her at [email protected]