Skip to content
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join
Boston Chamber
  • Become a Member
        • Become a Member

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • ...
          About Us
          Get to Know the Chamber

          Discover our mission, values, and leadership.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Member Benefits
          Grow Your Business

          Explore benefits that power your success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Events & Networking
        • Events & Networking

          • Overview
          • Upcoming Events
          • Limited Series
          • Chamber Awards
          • Foundation Initiatives
        • WHAT’S NEXT

          ...
          Upcoming Events
          Engage & Learn

          Explore opportunities to connect and grow.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • FEATURED EVENT

          ...
          Series
          2025 Government Affairs Forum | Congressman Richard Neal

          Be in the room as Congressman Neal addresses the Greater Boston business community.

          11/13/2025

          2:45pm - 4:00pm

          Nutter

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

          • Annual & Premier Events
          • Economic Inclusion
          • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
          • Digital Media & Marketing
          • Public Policy
          • Professional Development
          • Women’s Network
          • Workforce Development
          • Young Professionals Network
          • VIEW ALL PROGRAMMING
  • Member Engagement
        • Member Engagement

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Small Business Benefits
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Member Spotlights
          • Sign In
        • ...
          Inside the Program: Info Session & Cocktail Reception

          Join us in person to learn about Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL), a prestigious leadership program shaping top talent across Greater Boston. Hear from alumni, explore the application process, and stay for networking and refreshments.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Stay Involved

          Join experiences that build relationships and spark ideas.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Talent & Workforce
        • Talent & Workforce

          • Professional Development
          • Workforce Development
          • Open Programs
          • DEI Resource Hub
          • Insights
        • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (FOUNDATION) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
          Partnership with Boston Public Schools 

          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
          • Government Affairs Forum
          • Eds & Meds Report
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Foundation
        • Foundation

          • About
          • Board of Directors
          • Our Funders
          • Upcoming Events
          • Donate
        • ...
          Our Mission
          Expanding Opportunity

          Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Foundation Initiatives
          Programming That Empowers

          Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Get Involved

          Join us at our next Foundation event.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Join
Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Become a Member
        • Become a Member

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • ...
          About Us
          Get to Know the Chamber

          Discover our mission, values, and leadership.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Member Benefits
          Grow Your Business

          Explore benefits that power your success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Events & Networking
        • Events & Networking

          • Overview
          • Upcoming Events
          • Limited Series
          • Chamber Awards
          • Foundation Initiatives
        • WHAT’S NEXT

          ...
          Upcoming Events
          Engage & Learn

          Explore opportunities to connect and grow.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • FEATURED EVENT

          ...
          Series
          2025 Government Affairs Forum | Congressman Richard Neal

          Be in the room as Congressman Neal addresses the Greater Boston business community.

          11/13/2025

          2:45pm - 4:00pm

          Nutter

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • EXPLORE OUR PROGRAMMING:

          • Annual & Premier Events
          • Economic Inclusion
          • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
          • Digital Media & Marketing
          • Public Policy
          • Professional Development
          • Women’s Network
          • Workforce Development
          • Young Professionals Network
          • VIEW ALL PROGRAMMING
  • Member Engagement
        • Member Engagement

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Small Business Benefits
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Member Spotlights
          • Sign In
        • ...
          Inside the Program: Info Session & Cocktail Reception

          Join us in person to learn about Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL), a prestigious leadership program shaping top talent across Greater Boston. Hear from alumni, explore the application process, and stay for networking and refreshments.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Membership Directory
          Not Sure if You’re a Member?

          Browse our directory to connect with other members.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Stay Involved

          Join experiences that build relationships and spark ideas.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Talent & Workforce
        • Talent & Workforce

          • Professional Development
          • Workforce Development
          • Open Programs
          • DEI Resource Hub
          • Insights
        • WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (FOUNDATION) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
          Partnership with Boston Public Schools 

          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
          • Government Affairs Forum
          • Eds & Meds Report
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Foundation
        • Foundation

          • About
          • Board of Directors
          • Our Funders
          • Upcoming Events
          • Donate
        • ...
          Our Mission
          Expanding Opportunity

          Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Foundation Initiatives
          Programming That Empowers

          Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Get Involved

          Join us at our next Foundation event.

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join

WEBINAR: Growing a Business in Boston - ASK ME ANYTHING

WEBINAR: Growing a Business in Boston - ASK ME ANYTHING

In celebration of Small Business Saturday, November 25th 2017 – the SBA Massachusetts District Office is teaming up with the City of Boston to talk about municipal resources available to new entrepreneurs and existing small business owners to start and expand. 

There will be short presentations on loan programs and technical assistance available, followed by an Ask Me Anything session where the City of Boston representatives will help provide answers to your questions.
Presentations will be delivered on the following City of Boston programs:
 
  • Boston Planning & Development Agency Loan Program
    The Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) is a private non-profit corporation that utilizes Staff of the Boston Planning and Development Agency and is overseen by an independent Board of Trustees. The principal objective of the BLDC is to make small business loans to benefit the community by fostering increased employment opportunities and expansion of business, industry and services for the citizens of the City of Boston. In the last twenty years, the BLDC has provided over $15 million in small business loans. These loans have successfully leveraged over $85 million in other funding. The BLDC is proud of its extensive collaborations with Boston’s banking community. These loan funds have helped to create or retain over 2,900 Boston jobs. BLDC loans can be in amounts up to $250,000. BLDC proceeds may be used to support the working capital needs of a growing small business (e.g., expanded inventory, salaries and increased accounts receivables) and to fund construction of leasehold improvements. Funds may also be used to purchase new business property, machinery and equipment and to fund additional construction for an existing plant. BLDC loan applicants may include those businesses located in the City of Boston and those businesses seeking to relocate to the City or begin a new enterprise in the City. The borrower may be a Corporation, LLC, Partnership, Sole Proprietor or in some instances, a Realty Trust. 
     

  • Neighborhood Business Access Loan Program
    The Office of Economic Development’s Business Capital and Finance Unit provides loans through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block money (CDBG). The key components of this unit are to support economic development through job creation and to revitalize neighborhood commercial districts and properties. This unit will focus on supporting those demographics who historically have more difficulty accessing capital, ideally minority/women/immigrant/veteran owned businesses, as well as supporting the growing sectors of business that have the most potential for job creation to low and moderate income households. These loans are meant to prevent displacement among existing businesses, subsidize economic development in new identified growth areas, and concentrate on businesses with social cause profitability potential. The loans dispersed from this Unit will assist businesses with equipment, startup costs, expansion, and working capital.  Learn more about the Neighborhood Business Access Loan Program
     

  • Small Business Assistance 
    The Small Business Development team has the people and tools to help you build your small business in Boston. Through our online resources and in-person services, we connect you with the right people or appropriate city agencies to provide assistance with permitting, licensing and other business challenges you might have.


  •  



About the Speakers:
Bill Nickerson is Senior Finance Manager, Boston Local Development Corporation, Boston Planning & Development Agency 



For over twenty years, Bill has been the Senior Finance Manager of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) {formerly the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA)}. His role at the agency includes serving as General Manager of the Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC), the City of Boston’s small business loan fund. In the years Bill has managed the BLDC, its Board of Trustees has approved over $16 million in loans and leveraged more than $85 million in bank financing. These loans created or retained over 3,000 jobs in the City of Boston.

Bill is also the Executive Director of the City of Boston's conduit bond issuer, The Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority (BIFDA). Since its inception in 1972, BIDFA has provided $550 million in bond financing that created/retained 20,000 Boston jobs.  In addition to managing these programs, Bill also provides advice on financial issues to small businesses, internal BPDA and other City Staff. Bill regularly addresses trade and community groups at business and financial education events. He participates in "task forces" targeting specific areas of need within the city, and was a member of Mayor Walsh’s City of Boston Economic Opportunity working Group. This group was formed to reduce economic disparity and increase small business access to capital; especially in Boston’s communities of color. He is a Member of; the Mass. Housing and Investment Corporation’s (MHIC) New Market Tax Credit Advisory Committee, is a member of the Council of Development Finance Agencies’ (CDFA) National Legislative Committee and the Council’s New England Finance Roundtable Advisory Committee. Bill serves on the Massachusetts Community and Banking Council (MCBC) Economic Development Committee, and was a co-author of MCBC’s Greater Boston Area Small Business Financial Resource Guide. Bill had previously served on the UMASS/SBA Small Business Development Center Search Committee, the Washington St. Gateway Main Streets Economic Restructuring Committee and was a member of the Massachusetts Bankers Association Consumer Credit Committee. 
Prior to working for the BPDA, Bill was an Assistant Vice President and Lending Officer at US Trust Co. heading up the bank’s Suffolk County Consumer Lending Department. Bill was educated at Boston Latin School and Columbia University.



John FitzGerald is Director of Capital and Finance, Mayor's Office of Economic Development,  Office of Small Business Development. 



John FitzGerald has worked with the BPDA since 2006, originally as a Project Manager dealing with developments and construction all around the City. He served as the City's Olympic Liaison during the 2024 Olympic Bid, as well as the Deputy Director of Imagine Boston 2030, the City's first citywide plan in over 50 years. Since 2016 John has served as Director of the  Business Capital and Finance for Economic Development. John attended Boston Latin School and attended college at Northeastern as both an undergrad and grad student while getting his Executive MBA. 


Prayas Neupane is Neighborhood Business Manager, Mayor's Office of Economic Development, Office of Small Business Development.  



Prayas leads the City's Food Truck Program. Provides support to entrepreneurs that are considering mobile vending. Identifies the needs of the business and provide one-on-one technical assistance for a wide diversity of businesses. Prayas will share resources and support available to the public for starting a business in the City of Boston.

TODO

Enter your email address below to receive a reminder message.

Please complete the Captcha

Date and Time

Tuesday Nov 21, 2017
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Tuesday, November 21 / 10am - 11am

Location

ONLINE WEBINAR

Fees/Admission

FREE

Website

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-growing-a-business-in-boston-ask-me-anything-tickets-39841948340

Contact Information

Norman Eng
Send Email

Enter your email address below to receive a reminder message.

Please complete the Captcha

Events Calendar Hot Deals Job Postings Contact Us Join The Chamber
GrowthZone - Membership Management Software
Share
Print Email Add to Calendar Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Tell a Friend
Select Calendar Type
Google Yahoo iCal (Outlook, Apple, or other)

Footer Logo Foundation Logo

Together, we create a powerful ecosystem that drives
business success, strengthens communities, and enhances
Massachusetts’ long-term competitiveness.

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
Get Directions
Contact us
  • Become a Member
  • Events & Networking
  • Member Engagement
  • Talent & Workforce
  • Policy & Impact
  • Foundation
  • Join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Resources

  • Small Business  
  • News & Insights  
  • Member Resources  
  • Small Business  
Close