The City of Springfield's Small Business Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible small businesses for purchasing equipment, building improvements, and other related development expenses.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Applicants should not submit applications to the program through third parties - all communication and questions about the program should go through the Program Administrator directly

Before starting an application:

• Applicants must reach out to the Program Administrator to confirm the business's and grant use's eligibility

  • Wilson Darbin, Project Manager

    wdarbin@springfieldcityhall.com

    (413) 787-6020

• Review the Program Guidelines thoroughly

Grants will typically range from $5,000-$15,000.

Businesses that received $25,000 or more in City grants (including but not limited to American Rescue Plan Act, Storefront Improvement Grants, and Prime the Pump) since January of 2019 are not eligible for this program. 

Click here to download the Tax Certification Affidavit, W9 and Vendor Maintenance, and Property Owner Approval forms 

Click here to start an application

For up to date information and application on the City of Springfield Storefront Improvement Program, please visit HERE. 

NOTE: Proposed projects are required to fulfill basic requirements of the CDBG program, particularly as they relate to job creation goals, elimination of slum and blight, project impact upon the environment, and the Davis/ Bacon Act. The City of Springfield during the application process will advise applicants of these requirements. 

SCORE is a non-profit organization dedicated to entrepreneurial education through face-to-face and email counseling. (413) 785-0314  http://westernmassachusetts.score.org/ 

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Western Regional Office provides free and one-to-one business advising to prospective and existing small businesses. (413) 737-6712  www.msbdc.org/wmass/

The Western New England University School of Law's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers legal and business consultation to entrepreneurs and small businesses. (413) 796-2030 or visit http://www1.wne.edu/law/centers/innovation-and-entrepreneurship.cfm 

Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) The Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) of the Operational Services Division (OSD), certifies diverse businesses and also manages several business programs that help enhance the marketability of small and diverse businesses when they bid on public contracts. https://www.mass.gov/supplier-diversity-office

The Small Business Administration (SBA) aids with starting, building and growing businesses. A branch office is located Springfield. www.sba.gov/   Ph# 800-827-5722

The Workforce Training Fund (WTFP)- is a state fund enacted into law in July 1998 and financed entirely by Massachusetts employers. Its purpose is to provide resources to Massachusetts businesses and workers to train current and newly hired employees. www.mass.gov/wtfp please contact Angela Holley at (617) 717-6911 or wtfp@commcorp.org.

The Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation provides financing to small businesses in Massachusetts with the purpose of creating or preserving jobs and promoting economic development. (617) 337-2815  http://www.mcdfc.com/ 

MassDevelopment offers Tax-Exempt Bonds which provide a very low interest rate financing for capital projects. Projects financed must be eligible for tax-exempt financing under the federal tax code. Tax-Exempt Equipment Lease/Purchase Program provides manufacturers, nonprofit institutions, and environmental enterprises with a low-cost alternative for financing $300,000 or more in new equipment needs. This organization was formerly known as the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency before merging with the Massachusetts Industrial Finance Authority and Massachusetts Land Bank. 413.731.8848  http://www.massdevelopment.com/about/regional-offices/springfield/