Economic Development Division

• About the Economic Development Division
• Programs and Services
• Resources
  • Newsletter
  • Publications and Brochures
  • Permitting
  • Links and Contacts to Business Resources
• For More Information, including staff contacts

• Promoting thriving commercial districts;
• Cultivating a supportive environment for small, women and minority-owned businesses;
• Promoting a real estate market that offers a diverse array of options for the development and leasing of business properties of different sizes use categories.;
• Supporting efforts to sustain a diverse array of employment opportunities accessible to Cambridge workforce;
• Marketing Cambridge as a location for business; and
• Maintaining a supportive business climate.

The Economic Development Division is updating its listing of Cambridge’s minority and women-owned businesses and plans to publish a new on-line directory. Follow this link to print the directory survey form or to complete it in electronic form using Microsoft Word.

Cambridge is excited to be one of the world's major biotech centers. Over the past decade, the biotechnology and life sciences industry has emerged as an important focus of our business community. Over 100 life science-related companies are in Cambridge. Follow this link for a listing of Cambridge's life science companies. In addition, a map of biotechnology company locations throughout the City is available.

Over the past decade, biotechnology research has emerged as an significant focus for our business community. To provide more information about this important trend the Department recently published the brochure Cambridge Biotech: The Brains of Biotech The Heart of Innovation (744 KB).This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

The Economic Development Division offeres a variety of workshops to assist residents, entrepreneurs, and local businesses.

Healthy Harvard Square: The Economic Development Division conducted a series of community discussions about the retail mix and the character of Harvard Square. To learn more about this initiative, go to the Healthy Harvard Square web page.

For more information about programs offered by the Economic Development Division see the recently update Economic Development Brochure. (864 KB)This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

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Programs and Services

Programs and services provided by the division fall within the following areas:

• Commercial Revitalization Assistance
• Real Estate Information
• Small Business Assistance
• Support for the Cambridge Workforce

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Resources

Newsletter

The Economic Planning Division publishes a periodic email newsletter.

Go to Economic Development Newsletter

Publications and Brochures

These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

• Publications List
• Cambridge Economic Development Policy (1.2 MB)
• Cambridge Biotech: The Brains of Biotech The Heart of Innovation (602 KB)
• Development Log
• Doing Business in Cambridge (864 KB)
• How to do Business With the City of Cambridge (185 KB)
• Women and Minority Business Directory (382 KB)
• Step by Step Permitting Guides
  • Step by Step Guide to Building Permits (142 KB)
  • Step by Step Guide to Curb Cuts (118 KB)
  • Step by Step Guide to Fire Safety
  • Step by Step Guide to Obtaining Historical Commission Certificates (122 KB)
  • Step-by-Step Guide to Permits and Licenses Required to Hold a Special Event (205 KB)

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Permitting

In addition to the Step by Step Guides cited above the following resources provide useful information and materials about permitting in the City of Cambridge:

• Cambridge Recombinant DNA Ordinance enforced by the Cambridge Biosafety Committee
• City Permits, Licenses and Applications Web Site
• City Permit and License Contact List, including map to City Offices
• Map of City Offices that Issue Permits (124 KB)
• City Department Web Sites

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Contacts and Links to Business Resources

• Cambridge Organizations
• Cambridge Business Associations and Organizations
• Center for Women and Enterprise
• City Department Phone Numbers
• Demographic and Socioeconomic Statistics
• Federal Government Agencies
• Map of Commercial and Development Districts
• Public Meetings and Events
• Resources for Job Search and Training
• Resources for Women and Minorities
• State Government Agencies
• Other Business Development Resources