The Department of Planning & Community Development operates a variety of programs designed to support the resilience and growth of Revere small businesses. Need language assistance? Call Revere 311 (781-286-8311) for support.
First-Time Home-Buyer Down Payment Assistance Program
With the receipt of an additional $75,000 earmark from the state budget, the City of Revere and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund are proud to share that the First-Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Program application has been re-opened. Funding is available for eligible City of Revere residents to purchase a condo or single-family home at an affordable rate or market price rate.
If a 2-3 family home is purchased, the applicant must enter into an agreement with the city and the state to rent all non-owner-occupied units below market rate in accordance with EOHLC guidelines.
This assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be considered, please submit a completed application, along with supporting documentation and proof of eligibility. Applicants must demonstrate 2+ years of Revere residency and an income level at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
Please find the application here. For questions about the program, contact Joe Gravellese, chair of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund board, at jgravellese@revere.org.
Mass Save Energy Reduction Program for Small Business
Reduce overhead costs, increase profit margins, and boost the comfort of your customers and employees. The Mass Save energy program offers up to 70% off on efficiency upgrades on insulation, refrigeration, lighting, and electronics. Contact a Mass Save representative today at masssave.com/northsuffolk or call 617-485-0789.
The City of Revere is committed to providing safe and slow streets for all its road users, including bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, and people with disabilities. Traffic Calming is a key tool the city is using to achieve this goal.
Traffic Calming measures are defined as the combination of measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users. Traffic calming consists of physical design and other measures put in place on existing roads to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
City of Revere Traffic Calming Policy
Traffic Calming Measures provide many benefits that include:
• Reducing vehicle speeds and increased driver attentiveness • Reducing dangerous driving behaviors, reducing the frequency and severity of collisions • Improving safety for pedestrians, people with disabilities, bicyclist, strollers and users of public transit • Reducing the need for police enforcement • Enhancing the street environment • Preserving neighborhood character and livability • Increasing access for all modes of transportation • Reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic
The City of Revere’s new Traffic Calming Policylooks to create a clear, data-driven process to develop Traffic Calming strategies throughout the city. The policy includes a list of potential calming strategies, and overview of the approvals process, and a petition that must be submitted in order to initiate your traffic calming strategy.
Read more about the approvals process here. You can download a Traffic Calming Petition here.
If you have any questions about the policy, please contact Julie Demauro.
When you are ready to submit a petition, please contact your Ward Councillor.
Grant & Loan Opportunities
The City offers a range of one-time and ongoing financial assistance programs to eligible Revere businesses. Click below for more information about eligibility and deadlines, where applicable.
City of Revere Signage Design Improvement Program Phase 2
The City of Revere’s Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has launched Phase 2 of its Storefront and Signage Improvement Program. Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), DPCD will grant up to $7,500.00 for signage improvements or up to $50,000.00 for exterior storefront improvements to eligible small business and commercial property owners in the Broadway and Shirley Avenue Business Districts. The grant award provides in-kind design consulting services and renderings from Urban Designers Gamble Associates and Omloop.The City of Revere Commercial District Design Guidelines are available here.
Prior to filling out the Phase 2 application it is strongly encouraged that all applicants read the program guidelines before applying. The application process will occur over several months with Grant Award Notifications to be announced no later than January 30th, 2024.The program guidelines and application are available here.
Register your business with the City of Revere Business Registry
The City of Revere is creating a Small Business Registry that will be forwarded by request to developers, hospitality providers and other entities that are looking to conduct business with other Revere businesses. Register online today - https://forms.gle/u3wmWPz8V4J9uvKN8
Revere Business Loan Program
The Revere Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has announced their Business Loan Program. In general, the loan limit will be $35,000. For loan requests determined to have significant job and business growth potential, the loan limit may be extended up to a maximum of $75,000.
Businesses must have a physical location within the community and be income eligible. This requirement ensures that the funding directly supports local enterprises and contributes to our neighborhood's economic growth. Businesses must also meet Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program criteria.
Please ensure that your business meets these requirements before submitting your application. For further inquiries or clarification on eligibility, feel free to contact Megan Ragab or John Festa or call the DPCD office.
If you are interested, the application is available here in English and Spanish.Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
A network of local and regional service providers are available to support businesses and emerging entrepreneurs with technical assistance. See below for upcoming webinars, business coaching opportunities, or other resources tailored to Revere business owners.
Broadway and Shirley Ave Businesses Technical Support Program
Small business owners operating on Broadway and Shirley Ave can apply for free technical assistance in three content areas: financial management, marketing & merchandising, and business expansion strategies to improve business operations and promote curb appeal to consumers walking or driving along Broadway or Shirley Ave. If interested, please apply here. Applications are available below.
The City of Revere partnered with the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) and JP Morgan Chase Bank to provide a four-part webinar series on small business success. All sessions were led by expert business coaches and included opportunities for Q&A with CWE and Revere staff.
Session 1: Keeping the Books
December 1, 2021 Download presentation | Webinar video (English) | Webinar video (Spanish)
Session 2: Social Media Made Simple
January 12, 2022 Download presentation | Webinar video (English) | Webinar video (Spanish)
Session 3: Cash Flow Management
February 9, 2022 Download Presentation | Webinar video (English) | Webinar video (Spanish)
Revere is home to a network of community-based partners and municipal departments supporting business networking, marketing and event planning, district improvements, placemaking, and workforce and employment programming. Click below for more information.
Revere is the service area of multiple economic development agencies and community development financial institutions (CDFIs). Additional technical assistance and business financing may be available through these partners.
Please contact DPCD staff for referrals or visit the links below for information:
Offers fast track loans (up to $20,000 for start-up and existing businesses at 5-6% fixed); micro and small loans (micro loans up to $50,000 and Small Loans up to $250,000 at 5-6% fixed with flexible terms); and SBA 504 loans (Real Estate or Machinery and Equipment Loans up to $5.5 million at low, fixed rates).
NOTE: Only suitable for larger, well-capitalized, anchor employer businesses. MassDevelopment’s bond financing programs offer a cost-effective way for companies to finance capital projects, new equipment purchases, and facility expansions; also provides loans and guarantees to help grow operations, and development assistance for early-stage projects.
Workforce and Employment Resources
Businesses seeking to fill open positions, or to secure professional development funding for their employees, are encouraged to explore the following:
