Athenian Corner Serves Up Huge Energy Savings

The Athenian Corner, a local mainstay here in downtown Lowell, has a nice feature on www.energy.gov website, detailing the success the small business has enjoyed since utilizing the BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade (BLEU) program. 

Some facts:

• The Athenian Corner, a family-owned restaurant in Lowell, Massachusetts, made energy efficiency upgrades that are saving it more than 41 percent in energy costs.
• The upgrades also helped improve the comfort of the restaurant, leading to increased business for the Athenian Corner.

Please visit http://energy.gov/articles/family-owned-restaurant-serves-huge-energy-savings for the full article!

 

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Counting House Lofts Mills Development Project

Another Mill Development Project is set to get underway in the coming months, with the Winn Companies taking on a second mill re-development into loft style housing units.  The project, slated to be completed in 2014, will create 52 new housing units, with 26 being designated as affordable.  Read a more in depth post about the project here:

http://blogs.lowellsun.com/thecolumn/2013/04/09/another-lowell-mill-readies-for-build-out/

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Sandbox High Growth/Tech Pitch Contest

Do you have an idea that has the potential to get BIG on a

national or international level?

Is it something that could be the next social media platform? A new invention? Or possibly a technology that can impact millions in the developing world?

Apply to the Sandbox High Growth/Tech Pitch Contest for thousands of dollars in cash prizes and feedback from industry pros!

The deadline is April 25th at midnight.

For more information or to apply, please visit the contest page.

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Best Retail Practices Program

Do you own a business in the City of Lowell?

Are you looking for ways to improve outreach and marketing?

Would you like help making improvements?

Then sign up for the Best Retail Practices Program!

The City of Lowell is inviting retailers, restaurateurs, and storefront businesses to participate in:

• FREE workshop on updating your business and improving your marketing
• FREE one-on-one consultation for qualified stores and restaurants
• Up to $2,500 in matching grants to make recommended improvements

Past participants include: Delicias Paisas, Pho Da Lat, Jillie’s Roast Beef, Pizza Palace, Indigo Salon and Day Spa, Downtown Dancewear, Lowell Portuguese Bakery and many more!

DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

TIME: 8 AM – 10 AM

LOCATION: MCC Morse Federal Bldg., 50 Kearney Square, Lowell

Call Erin Findlen at 978-674-1437 or email bestretail@lowellma.gov to sign up!

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2013 Sandbox Spring Pitch Contest Series

Ever dreamed of starting your own business or non-profit?

The Sandbox wants to help you get your idea off the ground!

From March – May, we will be having the 2013 Sandbox Spring Pitch Contest Series where we will give you the opportunity to share your idea for:

• Thousands of dollars in CASH PRIZES!
• FEEDBACK from experts and industry pros!
• NETWORKING opportunities with investors!
• Increase your odds of participating in the SANDBOX SUMMER ACCELERATOR!

Pitch Contest Schedule:

• March 28^th: Creative Economy–Arts/Crafts, Design, Fashion, Food Ideas
• April 18^th: Local–Ideas that Service a Specific Community/Region
• May 9^th:  High Growth/Tech–Ideas that Scale
  

To apply, please visit http://merrimackvalleysandbox.org/entrepreneur-program/pitch-contests/apply-now/

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Made in Lowell — Celebrating our Immigrant Entrepreneurs

The City of Lowell is presenting the fifth annual “Made in Lowell” event on Thursday, November 15, 2012 from 11AM to 1PM at the University of Massachusetts Inn and Conference Center, 50 Warren Street. This year’s event will be recognizing Lowell’s immigrant entrepreneurs for their contributions to a positive, vibrant, and diverse community as well as for its positive impacts on the local economy.

 The event presents an opportunity to learn more about Lowell’s immigrant entrepreneurs’ pathway to their business success and to network with local businesses and civic leaders. Exhibits by the immigrant entrepreneurs are open for viewing starting at 11:00AM, followed by remarks by Mayor Patrick O. Murphy and City Manager Bernard F. Lynch at 12:00PM. This year’s event will also include keynote speaker, Shannon Erwin from Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). Shannon will discuss on her work towards building a community that values the foreign-born as one of our greatest assets.

 “The City of Lowell’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Great thoughts and ideas emerge from contrasting viewpoints; our ability as a community to strive towards a prosperous future is made more possible by the wide range of talents in our city and heightened ability to creatively problem solve. Also the immigrants in our city arrive with hopes and aspirations and I feel fortunate that we can play a part in helping them to realize their dream” said City Manager Lynch. “Our recognition of these companies at this year’s Made in Lowell event is a small token of appreciation for how they give back to the community every day despite the hardship they may have enduring before arriving in our city.”

 For additional information about the Made in Lowell event and to RSVP, please contact the Department of Planning and Development – Economic Development Office at (978) 674-1437 or visit http://www.lowell.org/workhere/Pages/MiL2012.aspx

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Job Fair at LeLacheur Park

Are you in search of a job?  If so, come to the Job Fair at LeLacheur Park.  Many recruiters will be attending with the hope of finding new employees for their companies.

Prep Suggestions:

• first impressions matter
• dress business casual
• bring copies of your resume
• practice your 30 second introduction
• prepare for interview

The event will take place *August 28th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  Job Fair attendees can buy a ticket for the Lowell Spinners Game and get another ticket FREE.

LeLacheur Park is located at 450 Aiken Street, Lowell, MA 01854

*rain date is August 29th from 10:00am-1:00pm

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Calling All Entrepreneurs!

Ever had the dream to start your own business, but didn’t have the resources?  Grab that idea and bring it to the Sandbox Pitch Contest!

The Sandbox is an Entrepreneurial Program here in the Merrimack Valley which specializes in helping good ideas turn into successful businesses.  Since 2010, the Sandbox has helped young entrepreneurs by empowering them with the tools essential for starting up.

Our mission is to strengthen the ecosystem in Lowell and Lawrence, MA around entrepreneurship and leadership. – Mission Statement

The first contest will be Thursday, September 13^th from 6:00-8:30 at Chester’s in Bell Square Lawrence, MA.  Ideas eligible include Educational, Environmental and Human Services.  The deadline for entries is August 30^th at midnight.

The following contest will be on Thursday, October 4^th from 6:00-8:30 at the Offices of MFA in Tewksbury, MA.  ALL IDEAS are welcomed.  The deadline to enter is September 17^th at midnight.

To make an entry, simply visit the Sandbox website.

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Looking for Resources to Fund Employee Training at your Business?

 Over $705K was awarded to Greater Lowell employers through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund in FY11.  FY12 funds are now available to local businesses.   The Greater Lowell Workforce Development Board is hosting a a Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) Information Session on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. The session will be led by Michael Corcoran from the MA Department of Career Services. Information sessions are being conducted in support of EOLWD Secretary Joanne Goldstein’s recent communication encouraging businesses across Massachusetts to take advantage of the WTFP to address productivity or competitiveness challenges through upgrading employee skills.

The WTF provides resources to businesses to train current and newly hired employees. Contact Gail Brown at 978-805-4736 to obtain more information or to register for this event.

Workforce Training Fund Information Session

Wednesday, June 27, 2012, 9:30-11:30 AM

Greater Lowell Workforce Investment Board

107 Merrimack Street

3rd Floor Conference Room

Lowell, MA 01852

www.glwib.org

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Neighborhood Impact Initiative—Year 4

City Manager Bernie Lynch recently announced that the next area to receive focused attention under the Neighborhood Impact Initiative Program will actually be two areas–West Acre and East Pawtucketville.  With similar urban densities, a strong connection via the Textile Memorial Bridge and a growing university presence on both sides of the river, a dual neighborhood approach presents a unique approach to neighborhood development.

“These neighborhoods not only have similar needs in terms of code and public safety issues but also have great opportunities to leverage institutional and infrastructure investments already underway or planned,” said City Manager Bernie Lynch.  “The new bridge, new university buildings and other development planned on both sides of the river provide a solid base to support this city initiative.”

The Neighborhood Impact Initiative focuses interdepartmental resources to address a variety of issues and to deliver infrastructure, public safety, housing, traffic and business development improvements.  Impact Teams, with staff from Development Services, Police and Fire, conduct targeted sweeps of areas identified as “hot spots” for crime, housing and code issues.

Neighborhood meetings will help identify each area’s unique needs and generate ideas for potential project elements.  Over the last three years Centralville, Lower Highlands and Back Central have benefitted from the program, which was launched by Manager Lynch in 2009.

The program utilizes a strategy that focuses investments of staff time and financial resources to help revitalize low and moderate income neighborhoods.  Past elements have included:

• Enhanced code and health inspections
• Street and sidewalk reconstruction
• Streetscape enhancements
• Park improvements
• Targeted public safety attention
• Cultural projects
• Business assistance and best retail practices incentives

Funding for the Manager’s Neighborhood Impact Initiative comes from several sources including Community Development Block Grant Program allocations, Chapter 90 funds for streets and sidewalks, economic development incentives and grant funded public safety initiatives.

“We look forward to launching our fourth Neighborhood Impact Initiative and to working with Acre and Pawtucketville residents to generate positive changes,” said Manager Lynch.

For more information on this program, contact Henri Marchand, assistant to the City Manager, at hmarchand@lowellma.gov or (978) 674-1002.

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