Small Business Capacity Building Program

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is offering a grant opportunity through the MassGaming Small Business Capacity Building Program. This program aims to provide technical assistance and resources to small businesses, including minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, located in the host and neighboring communities of the Massachusetts Category 2 (Slots Parlor) Licensee. The grant, worth up to $20,000, is intended to fund a capacity building and technical assistance program that identifies a target audience, involves key local organizations and the MGC Vendor Advisory Team, and demonstrates how the program will meet a regional need and assist local entrepreneurs and small businesses. The grant application deadline is January 28, 2015, and all questions must be submitted in writing by January 16, 2015, with responses posted by January 21, 2015. The program is designed to complement and enhance traditional public and private small business assistance networks by providing technical assistance or training programs for businesses with 50 employees or less.

The program is open to host or surrounding community municipalities and/or not-for-profit, community-based organizations located in or partnered with an organization in the host or surrounding community of the Casino. Organizations are encouraged to partner with other organizations, agencies, or financial institutions, and the grant funds may be used with additional funding sources. There are no listed incumbent vendors or current contractors, and the program does not specify any existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration. The total available funding for this program is not disclosed.