Thinking about opening a shop, restaurant, or office in our downtown? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We would love to help. Here are some of the ways Cambridge Main Street supports small businesses in our downtown.
PROMOTIONAL WORK
Marketing/Media:
- Send regular updates and downtown news, to and active list of 3,000 email recipients.
- Deliver one-page Weekend Roundup to area residents, weekenders, resorts, hotels and B&Bs.
- Weekly email to subscriber list about relevant news, announcements, and improvements happening in downtown Cambridge.
- Prepare media releases publicizing upcoming events and news about downtown.
- Operate Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter social media pages with more than 7,000+ “likes”.
- Maintain and update this website with free business listings
Events:
- Monthly Second Saturday Art Walk, 5-8 pm
- GrooveFEST: Blues, Brews, and BBQs - Third Saturday of September
- The Taste of Cambridge: Second Saturday in July
- Bushel Basket Christmas Tree, dedicated First Saturday of December
- Holiday Shopping & Dining promotions - Small Business Saturday through Second Saturday December
Cambridge Main Street also delivers marketing and other support services to events run by individual businesses and organizations downtown.
Promotions/Advertising:
- Facilitate cooperative advertising by downtown businesses, often at discounted non-profit rates.
- Coordinate cooperative planning for holiday and other seasonal promotions.
- Coordinate and produce annual Calendar of event card.
- Coordinate and produce annual Downtown Guide booklet
- Coordinate and produce historic Downtown Walking Tour brochure
PROVIDE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES
Access to Local Investment Groups:
- CAMBRIDGE VENTURE FUND: The new Cambridge Venture Capital Fund I, LLC, is offering entrepreneurs up to $50,000 each in assistance in downtown Cambridge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The $250,000 fund has been established by local business people who want to invest in the core of downtown Cambridge. Access the Application: Cambridge Venture Fund
Access to State Loans/Programs:
The following state programs give priority attention to applications from businesses in Main Street districts like ours:
- Neighborhood Business Works Loans
Business Resources:
- Collaborative relationships with business resources like SBDA, Eastern Shore Entrepreneurial Center, Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, County and City of Cambridge Economic Development offices
- Provide one-on-one support to businesses as needed.
- Coordinate and schedule technical workshops specifically geared towards retail and hospitality industries
- Representation for Downtown interests at numerous community and governmental meetings
BEAUTIFICATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Streetscape & Green Team Development:
- Fresh Coat Cambridge: An effort begun in June 2011
- Flowerpot and hanging basket program
- Streetscape cleanups
- Maintain traffic islands and parking areas
- Lamppost banners and holiday decor
- Downtown Wireless Network
- Façade Improvement Program (City of Cambridge administrates)
- Placemaking and Public Arts based beautification projects
Property Redevelopment:
- Encourage facade and interior improvements where needed
- Sustainable Communities Rehabilitation Tax Credits - competitive & non-competitive priority for downtown projects
- Access to Arts & Entertainment district tax credits and incentives for property owners
- Provide support to existing and new property owners to access and navigate local and state resources and processes
- Potential project support to Community Legacy and Strategic Growth, Strategic Demolition funding for significant redevelopment projects
- DOWNTOWN/WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT INCENTIVES: Tax credits and exemptions from impact fees are in place for eligible owners of property which is located in a designated redevelopment zone, called the Downtown/Waterfront Development District. The City of Cambridge has instituted incentives for significant property improvements within the municipality’s designated Downtown/Waterfront Development District. The Tax Credit Program stipulates that any property owner, who completes the qualifying improvements within the stated time period, shall be entitled to a municipal real property tax credit over a four year period. The Impact Fee Abatement Program offers owners of property within this same area of the City a waiver. This program lasts for a period of five years. For more information click below: