Technical Assistance

Technical assistance for businesses is support and guidance provided to businesses to help them overcome challenges, build capacity, and achieve specific goals.  It can include a wide range of services, from one-on-one consulting to training and access to capital, with the ultimate aim of improving a business’s management, operations, marketing, financial health, and overall sustainability. Below are local, state and federal technical assistance resources for businesses.

LOCAL

Creative Collective

Creative Collective is a business program that provides opportunities for small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profits, organizations and individuals that are looking for a more modern and creative approach to business growth and brand awareness. Our partners benefit from our ability to layer services that reach far beyond traditional marketing and business programs.  Together we share a vision that thriving arts, culture and creative sectors makes the world a better place and support the sustainability of our communities and businesses.

Destination Salem

As the official destination marketing organization for the City of Salem, Destination Salem cooperatively markets Salem as one of Massachusetts’ best destinations for families, couples, domestic and international travelers who are seeking an authentic New England experience, cultural enrichment, American history, fine dining, unique shopping and fun.

Doing Business in Salem Guide

The City of Salem is committed to the success of its business community. To make the process of opening your first location in Salem or expanding your current business as straightforward as possible, the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has created this guide to use as a reference. Throughout the guide, you will find answers to frequently asked questions, descriptions of the different processes that may be applicable, and contact information for city, state, federal, and other agencies that can assist you. 

E for All

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is a nonprofit organization that supports underrepresented individuals by providing free business training, mentorship, and access to a professional network to help them start and grow their businesses and contribute to economic development in their communities. The organization offers programs like a business accelerator and pitch contests, with a mission to foster inclusive entrepreneurship nationwide.  

The Enterprise Center

Established in the heart of educational growth, the Enterprise Center at Salem State University welcomes entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals of all ages and experience levels to come in and learn something new. As an advocate and voice for the North Shore small business community, the Enterprise Center is a leader in helping business start and grow in this region.

MassHire North Shore Career Center

MassHire North Shore Career Center seeks to connect job seekers with employers and promote a thriving local economy in the North Shore. They provide access to training opportunities and resources to help individuals and businesses remain competitive and can assist in sourcing qualified candidates through pre-screening and interview sessions and coordinating recruitment events. 

Northeast Legal Aid

Northeast Legal Aid’s Community Development & Entrepreneurship Unit provides free, culturally competent business law services to low-income entrepreneurs and small local businesses. The unit assists a wide variety of businesses, such as daycares, restaurants, salons, and artists in a wide variety of topics, including: business entity formation, contract law, lease negotiations, licensing and permitting, and regulatory compliance. 

North Shore Alliance for Economic Development

The North Shore Alliance for Economic Development is the economic development engine for a dynamic and evolving regional economy, working to help start-ups and existing businesses alike find the resources they need to thrive right here on the North Shore.

North Shore Community Development Coalition (North Shore CDC)

Economic Development Support: North Shore CDC’s Small Business Program aims to support small businesses and entrepreneurs on the North Shore, with a focus on immigrant-, women-, and minority-owned businesses. The CDC provides free one-on-one technical assistance, business development workshops, and promotional events such as markets and tours, and their Incubator Pop-Up shop opportunity.  

Salem Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Salem Chamber of Commerce is to make Salem a better place to live, work, and do business. The Salem Chamber serves as the voice for member businesses, representing, advocating and working to enhance the business and civic environment. With 525 members, they are the largest business organization in Salem.

Salem Main Streets

Salem Main Streets revitalizes downtown Salem by supporting businesses, organizing community events, and promoting the area as a year-round cultural, dining, and retail destination. The organization offers free technical assistance, one-on-one strategy consultations, retail design services, and social media promotion to local businesses.  

Salem Partnership

The Salem Partnership, created in 1987, is a unique public-private partnership that has helped Salem to grow and prosper, and works to make sure the growth and prosperity continues. The Salem Partnership is a non-profit membership organization that is directly involved in determining the outcome of issues critical to the greater Salem community. The Partnership works on key specific long-range economic development initiatives for Salem and the region, focusing on Courts, Ports and Transportation. They also actively participate in “Quality of Life” initiatives, with an emphasis on making Salem a better place to live and work.

SCORE – Northeast Massachusetts 

SCORE Northeast Massachusetts provides free, confidential mentoring, low-cost workshops, and educational resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs in the region. As a partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), they connect individuals with experienced, volunteer business professionals who offer guidance on various aspects of starting, growing, and exiting a business. 

Small Business Administration

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

Small Business Development Center 

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network’s Northeast Regional Office provides free and confidential business assistance to prospective and existing small businesses located in the North Shore and Merrimack Valley areas. They also serve the Greater Boston area. Since the beginning of its affiliation with Salem State University in 1992, the Northeast Regional Office has worked with over 15,000 entrepreneurs.

Salem for All Ages

In December 2016, the City of Salem received approval for its age-friendly action plan, Salem for All Ages, from AARP and the World Health Organization. The action steps in this plan lead to an overall goal of strengthening the City’s commitment to being a community where everyone is able to comfortably and safely age in place and remain active. A certified age-friendly business is one in which people of all ages and abilities can comfortably shop, dine, or receive services. These businesses intentionally act to make their spaces and their operations more inclusive for customers and patrons of all ages and abilities, thereby expanding a business’ customer base.

STATE

Business Front Door

The Massachusetts Business Front Door (BFD) is a new, user-friendly online platform and concierge service that connects businesses with state resources, funding, and support in Massachusetts. Launched by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the BFD assigns each business a dedicated “Navigator” to act as a single point of contact, helping them find relevant programs, access grants and loans, get answers to questions, and navigate state regulations. The goal is to simplify the complex process of working with the state and help businesses start, scale, and grow in Massachusetts.

Center for Women and Enterprise, Eastern Massachusetts

The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) Eastern Massachusetts is a non-profit organization that supports women-owned businesses by providing technical assistance, education, training, and networking opportunities, as well as improving access to capital and women’s business enterprise (WBE) certification. CWE also operates the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England, offering similar support to veterans and service members.  

Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development (MAED)

MassEcon promotes Massachusetts as the premier location to start, grow, or relocate a business by providing site location services, business intelligence, and marketing the state’s economic assets to corporations and site selectors. Through public-private partnerships, the organization serves as a “matchmaker” for companies, highlighting the Commonwealth’s regional advantages, available properties, and workforce to foster job growth and investment throughout all communities in Massachusetts.  

Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) 

The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) acts as a central point of contact and a principal development agency for businesses looking to relocate to or expand in Massachusetts. It facilitates access to state resources, expertise, and incentive programs, helping companies with job creation, retention, capital investment, site location, permitting, and financing. MOBD serves as a key resource to promote economic growth and help businesses thrive in the Commonwealth. 

Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) leads the state’s efforts to promote business growth, job creation, and a strong economy by coordinating economic development initiatives, providing resources and financing, and executing the Governor’s economic agenda. The office oversees various state agencies and initiatives focused on areas like business development, international trade, tourism, workforce training, and community development, all aimed at fostering a supportive environment for businesses and residents.  

Veterans Business Outreach Center New England

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is a resource partner of the US Small Business Administration. Providing entrepreneurial development services and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.