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Economic Opportunity and Development
This is the home page for the Economic Opportunity and Development Division. It provides information on the programs and services of the Economic Opportunity and Development Division in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment
First-Time Homebuyer Lottery Opportunity - The Pathmark
The City of Cambridge is offering four new affordable condominiums for sale to income-eligible first-time homebuyers through a lottery process. These affordable condos are located at The Pathmark, 97 Elmwood Street in North Cambridge near Davis Square.
/CDD/News/2023/8/firsttimehomebuyerlotteryopportunitythepathmark
Contact Us
Contact information for the Economic Opportunity and Development Division
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/contactus
1055 Cambridge Street Lottery
First-time homebuyer lottery opportunity for units located at 1055 Cambridge Street
/CDD/Projects/Housing/homeownershiplottery/1055cambridgestreetlottery
Pathmark Lottery
First-time homebuyer lottery opportunity for units at The Pathmark
/CDD/Projects/Housing/homeownershiplottery/pathmarklottery
Take the East Cambridge Customer Intercept Survey
This month the Economic Opportunity and Development Division is surveying customers in East Cambridge as part of our Commercial District Assessment projects.
/CDD/News/2023/6/taketheeastcambridgeinterceptsurvey
Succession Planning
The Economic Opportunity and Development Division offers resources for small business owners planning and thinking about succession planning.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/succe...
FAQs
The Small Business Challenge Grant offers Cambridge businesses, business associations, and groups of neighborhood businesses the opportunity to secure one-time grant funding in increments of $1,000 for well-designed projects that bring together neighborhood business interests around shared goals of improved design, promotion, and business resilience in a commercial area.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/boostingbusinessblocks/FAQs...
Mass Ave Planning Study - A Focus on Porter Square
Porter Square Community Meeting - A Focus on Porter Square - January 30, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join us for a virtual Community Meeting as part of the Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) to review and provide feedback on alternative ideas for the future of Porter Square! This is your opportunity to weigh in on potential updates, including zoning changes, urban design concepts, and open space improvements.
/CDD/News/2025/1/massaveplanningstudyafocusonportersquare
Boosting Business Blocks Grant
The Boosting Business Blocks Grant offers Cambridge businesses, business associations, and groups of neighborhood businesses the opportunity to secure one-time grant funding for well-designed projects that bring together neighborhood business interests around shared goals of improved design, promotion, and business resilience in a commercial area.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/boostingbusinessblocks
Mass Ave Planning Study - Community Meeting 1
We're excited to host our first community meeting for the Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) on Thursday, February 29 from 6 PM - 7:30 PM.
The meeting will provide an introduction to the project; an opportunity for the community to learn more about the process; and a chance to talk with the planning team about Mass Ave!
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.
/CDD/News/2024/1/massaveplanningstudycommunitymeeting1
Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) Working Group - Meeting 1
We will be hosting our first working group meeting for the Mass Ave Planning Study on Wednesday, February 7 at 6 PM. The meeting will serve as an introduction to the project; an opportunity for working group members to learn more about the process; and a chance for any members of the public to ask initial questions for the planning team. This meeting will be held via Zoom.
/CDD/News/2024/1/massaveplanningstudymapsworkinggroupmeeting1
Food Truck Vending in Cambridge
Food trucks are an important and growing part of the Cambridge food businesses economy. Like farmers markets and open air festivals, food trucks offer new food businesses a relatively low-cost opportunity for testing menu items, building brand awareness, and growing a loyal customer base. Additionally, their “pop-up” style of operation introduces a playful element to public spaces that residents, workers, and visitors enjoy and appreciate as part of a high quality of life in Cambridge.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/foodb...
City of Cambridge Offers Support and 1-on-1 Coaching to Food Businesses
The Economic Opportunity and Development Division is offering free one-on-one coaching and a 3-part workshop series for food businesses in April! Whether you are a food business owner looking for clarity on your strategic goals, feeling confused or overwhelmed by food business financials, or unsure how best to attract today’s customers, these workshops and 1-on-1 coaching are aimed at putting your business on the track to success.
/CDD/News/2025/3/cityofcambridgeofferssupportand1on1coachingtofoodbusinesses
Available Webinars and Video Workshops
This page lists available recorded business development workshops available to Cambridge residents and business owners.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/Workshops/availablerecorded...
Small Business Programs
The Economic Development staff offers a variety business development Programs to Cambridge small businesses.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms
Solar Assistance Program Information Session
This new City program provides no-cost support to Cambridge businesses, non-profits, and owners of commercial and large residential buildings that are interested in installing solar on their roof.
/CDD/Calendar/2025/05/06/solarassistanceprograminformationsession
Increased funding for Cambridge Small Business Grants
Cambridge small businesses now qualify for more funding to help pay for exterior and interior improvements, equipment purchases, and marketing upgrades.
/CDD/News/2023/8/increasedfundingforcambridgesmallbusinessgrants
Cycling Safety Ordinance Economic Impact Study
This page has information on collecting relevant economic data relating to business impacts from separated bike lane installation in commercial corridors as part of the City’s Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO).
/CDD/Projects/EconDev/cyclingsafetyordinanceeconomicimpactstudy
Envision Cambridge
The City of Cambridge is embarking on a citywide comprehensive planning process to create a shared vision for the city and its future. Through the citywide planning process, the City aims to develop policy and design goals and actionable recommendations to guide future change and promote the well-being of residents, businesses, and stakeholders in the midst of local, regional, and global trends. The citywide planning process aims to integrate and build upon the City’s existing policies, programs, and initiatives through an inclusive, wide-reaching process that looks beyond traditional planning efforts to guide future change in Cambridge.
/CDD/Projects/Planning/citywideplanning
Building Emissions Public Forum
City staff will host a forum about proposed changes to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO).
/CDD/News/2022/8/buildingemissionspublicforum
Attend the Small Business Open House
Curious about the city services available to help your small business in Cambridge? Drop in at any time to speak with staff from different departments to learn how the City can help!
/CDD/News/2025/7/smallbusinessopenhouse
Pemberton Street Traffic Calming
The reconstruction of Fairfield Street and Pemberton Street from Rindge Avenue to Fairfield Street includes pedestrian access and pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Fairfield Street and Pemberton Street.
/CDD/Projects/trafficcalming/pembertonstreetatfairfield
Start It Up Small Business Bootcamp
Attention all Cambridge small business owners! The City of Cambridge and The Capital Network invite you to attend an in-person event designed to provide entrepreneurship education, resources, and in-person networking opportunities to connect with industry experts, investors, mentors, and fellow business owners. This is a free event and part of the City’s National Small Business Month activities.
/CDD/News/2023/4/startitupsmallbusinessbootcamp
Homeownership Program Review
As part of the ongoing Homeownership Program Review process, the Housing Division is inviting current owners of affordable homes to attend an information and feedback session. These meetings are being held to provide an overview of the proposed recommendations to some of the program terms, including the way units increase in value and whether units can be passed through inheritance.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/affordablehomeownershipprogramreview_dec2023
Print Shop Condominiums
Cascap, Inc. developed a former print shop on Harvard Street into 24 units of green affordable ownership.
/CDD/Projects/Housing/printshop
Housing Resource Fair
Join us for our Annual Housing Resource Fair and learn about housing services and your rights. City staff will provide informational materials and answer your questions about housing rights, affordable housing, financial assistance, eviction resources, and first-time homebuyer programs.
/CDD/Calendar/2025/05/03/fairhousingresourcefair
Alberico Park
Proposed improvements to Alberico Park
/CDD/Projects/Parks/albericopark
Cambridge Entrepreneurship Assistance Application Form
This page provides a link to the Cambridge Entrepreneurship Assistance Program Application Form. The Program is a 4 month financial education program for entrepreneurs in emerging technologies.
/CDD/Forms/Forms/E/cambridgeentrepreneurshipassistanceapplicationform
Cambridgeport Parks
In 2013 the City completed the renovation three neighborhood parks in Cambridgeport. Alberico Park, David Nunes (Old Morse) Park, and Fulmore Park are small to moderately sized parks located in Cambridgeport along Allston Street and Sidney Street.
/CDD/parks/parksinfo/Parks/cportparks
Celebrate and Support Black-Owned Businesses This August
Cambridge is proud to celebrate National Black Business Month. We're highlighting the important contributions of Black entrepreneurs who strengthen our community and our country's economy.
/CDD/News/2025/7/celebrateandsupportblackownedbusinessesthisaugust
Volpe Site Rezoning and Working Group
Information and updates on the rezoning and redevelopment process for the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center site.
/CDD/Projects/Zoning/pudksvolpesite
Community Resources for Entrepreneurs
This page provides a listing of a variety of local and state community resources for entrepreneurs.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/lifesciencesandtechnologybusinesses/communityresour...
City of Cambridge Food Truck Program
The City of Cambridge Food Truck Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for food truck operators, provide more diverse food options in targeted areas, and bring additional street level amenities to Cambridge public spaces.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/foodb...
2025 Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair
Cambridge hosts its annual Supplier Diversity Fair with buyers from all City departments. Diverse businesses are invited to attend.
/CDD/News/2025/9/cambridgehostsits3rdannualsupplierdiversityfair
Top 25 Employers
Learn about the top 25 employers in Cambridge and find links to career web sites.
/CDD/factsandmaps/economicdata/top25employers
Brattle Street Two-way Separated Bike Lane
The City used Participatory Budgeting funds to install a two-way separated bicycle facility on Brattle Street in July 2017, informed by historic analyses and discussions, and aligned with the Vision Zero and Complete Streets Policies and additional City policies (Climate Action Plan, Growth Policy, Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance, School Wellness Policy, and others).
/CDD/Projects/Transportation/brattlestreettwowayseparatedbikelane
Food Business Incubator Program
The Food Business Incubator Program offers technical assistance and other resources to food businesses in Cambridge, with a focus on women- and minority-owned businesses as well as first-time food entrepreneurs.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/smallbusinessprograms/foodb...
Harvard Square Design Project
Harvard Square street and sidewalk reconstruction project to promote bicycle and walking. Also includes recommendation to build multi-use path at Flagstaff Park.
/CDD/Transportation/projects/completedprojects/harvardsquare
Middle-Income Rental Program
Middle Income Rental Program designated for households earning between 80 – 120% of Area Median Income (AMI).
/CDD/housing/forapplicants/middleincomerentalprogram
Creating a new ECKOS system
More than five acres of new and renovated public open space will be created in Kendall Square and Eastern Cambridge over the next few years. The Eastern Cambridge Kendall Square Open Space (ECKOS) Planning Study is working to shape these new parks.
/CDD/parks/osplanning/ecambkendallparks/creatinganeweckossystem
Food Business Basics Program
The City of Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD) is launching a new program for Cambridge residents who have a passion for food and a dream of owning a business, but a lot of questions about combining the two.
/CDD/News/2024/2/foodbusinessbasicsprogram
Cambridge Celebrates National Black Business Month
This August, the City of Cambridge is proud to celebrate National Black Business Month by hosting a variety of events aimed at supporting and promoting Black business owners.
/CDD/News/2024/7/cambridgecelebratesnationalblackbusinessmonth
City of Cambridge Announces Completion of its Disparity Study
Building on the City of Cambridge's commitment to reducing barriers and working with more diverse business owners, the City has completed its first ever Disparity Study focused on the procurement of goods and services.
/CDD/News/2023/12/cityofcambridgeannouncescompletionofitsdisparitystudy
Cambridge Launches Grant Pilot for Nightlife and Entertainment Businesses
Apply to the Cambridge Nightlife Industry and Thriving Entertainment Spaces (NITES) Grant! The Cambridge NITES grant is aimed at supporting the nightlife and entertainment industry in Cambridge by providing up to $5,000 awards for outdoor, nighttime events during the month of June.
/CDD/News/2025/3/nitesgrant
Doing Business with the City Workshop Series
As part of the City’s Supplier Diversity Program, the Community Development and Purchasing Departments are hosting a three-part workshop series for business owners who are interested in learning more about the City’s procurement process. Workshops are aimed at demystifying the procurement process for business owners in three sections – small contracts, invitations to bid and written quotes, and request for proposals. Businesses are encouraged to come to one or all the workshops.
/CDD/News/2025/1/doingbusinesswiththecityworkshopseries
Members Sought to Serve on Cambridge Kiosk Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee will provide guidance and oversight for the operations of the Cambridge Kiosk in Harvard Square. Through this collaboration, the recently restored landmark is set to become a vibrant cultural incubator, community gathering space, and visitor information center called the Cambridge Kiosk, and is expected to open in early 2025.
/CDD/News/2024/10/memberssoughttoserveoncambridgekioskadvisorycommittee
Vacant Storefront Initiative
This page describes a variety of resources for property owners who have vacant storefronts in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/vacantstorefrontresources
Shop Locally in Cambridge this Holiday Season
Small Business Saturday is November 29, 2025, and it's the perfect time to explore the incredible shops, restaurants, and services across Cambridge in our squares, neighborhoods, and beyond.
/CDD/News/2025/10/shoplocallyincambridgethisholidayseason
Rental Applicant Pool
Description of the Rental Applicant Pool for applying for Inclusionary Rental units.
/CDD/housing/forapplicants/rentalapplicantpool
Cambridge Community Development Department Supports Supplier Diversity
CDD supports supplier diversity as a way for diverse businesses (minority-owned / LGBTQ+ owned / disability-owned / veteran-owned / woman-owned) to grow and succeed. Event highlight is the Cambridge Supplier Diversity Fair co-hosted by MIT on Tuesday, October 5, 2023.
/CDD/News/2023/10/cambridgecommunitydevelopmentdepartmentsupportssupplierdiversity
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Vacancies
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) is an independent public body focused on publicly beneficial real estate projects and infrastructure investment within the City of Cambridge.
/CDD/News/2024/7/cambridgeredevelopmentauthorityadditionalvacancies
October is National Women's Business Month
The City is celebrating National Women's Business Month this October to recognize the importance of women-owned businesses and to highlight the women entrepreneurs in the local Cambridge economy.
/CDD/News/2022/9/octoberisnationalwomensbusinessmonth
Womens Business Month
The City of Cambridge will celebrate National Women's Business Month during October to recognize the importance of women-owned businesses and highlight the women entrepreneurs who contribute so much to the local Cambridge economy.
/CDD/News/2024/9/womensbusinessmonth
Business Development Workshops
This page describes the variety of business development workshops that the City of Cambridge offers.
/CDD/economicopportunityanddevelopment/smallbusinessassistance/Workshops
Planning for Off Leash Dogs
Over the past several years the City of Cambridge has been continually working with residents to explore strategies for dogs to be off leash in city parks and open spaces while also considering the wider community’s open space needs.
/CDD/parks/osplanning/offleash/planningforoffleashuse
Pedestrian Plan
Reviews elements of the Cambridge Pedestrian Plan
/CDD/Transportation/programs/currentprograms/pedestrianplan