 Why Back Streets? About Back Streets | |
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Program Details-- Back Streets Supports Industrial Businesses in Four Main Areas: REAL ESTATE: Support the growth of Boston's Back Streets businesses through the preservation of industrial space The City of Boston adopted a policy goal of no net loss of industrial space Economic development plans adopted for each of the city industrial zones to identify land use, circulation, business and workforce services, image development, and infrastructure improvements. Zoning review guidelines will be strengthened regarding development proposals that convert industrial land and buildings to office, commercial, residential or institutional uses, including small business protection. The BRA will issue Requests for Proposals for nearly 500,000 square feet of space in the Marine Industrial Park. The BRA is maintaining a commercial and industrial space "site finder" to help growing and new companies find the space they need to operate successfully in Boston. WORKFORCE: Help Boston's Back Streets companies find, train and develop workers. Job-readiness services including Boston's Career Centers, neighborhood English language and job training programs, and the Youth Opportunity Journal See the Back Streets Toolbox for financial assistance, technical resources, job training & procurement information BUSINESS ASSISTANCE: Make Boston an attractive, hospitable place to do business A team of Business Managers will act as ombudsmen to the Back Street business community. Their role is to provide solutions, resources, and contacts as they relate to business needs--one stop shopping for zoning, permitting, city department resources and more. As businesses prepare to engage in the development process or building permits, the managers will arrange to have clear instructions on how to proceed through the BRA and Inspectional Services system. When a business wants to gain skills in business administration, the manager can refer a number of technical assistance providers, many of them free services. When businesses want to increase their workforce, the managers will suggest resources that can guide the business to the access of trained and available workers. Back Streets hot line (617) 918-4400 and web site: www.bostonbackstreets.com. One stop shopping for zoning, permitting, City department resources, and linkage. FINANCING AND PARTNERSHIPS: Bring new & existing resources to Back Streets businesses Low interest-rate loans to qualified businesses $5 million over 5 years from City's capital infrastructure plan to upgrade industrial roadways, sidewalks & lighting Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority (BIDFA)--Tax exempt financing for projects and equipment with costs over $3 million. Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC)--provides loans of up to $150,000. The BLDC also administers the Back Streets backup loan program. Backstreets continues to build partnerships that support the needs of the industrial and commercial service industry in Boston. |
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