A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-128, regarding creating a small business Saturday strategy for the 2019 holiday season

C I T Y O F C A M B R I D G E Community Development Department IRAM FAROOQ Assistant City Manager for Community Development SANDRA CLARKE Deputy Director Chief of Administration KHALIL MOGASSABI Deputy Director Chief of Planning 344 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139 Voice: [phone removed] Fax: [phone removed] TTY: [phone removed] www.cambridgema.gov To: Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager From: Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Date: January 8, 2019 Re: Awaiting Report #18-128 dated November 26, 2018 related to creating a Small Business Saturday Strategy for the 2019 Holiday Season In response to the above referenced Awaiting Report, we submit the following. The City has committed resources to support the vitality of its small local businesses, and expand direct work with Cambridge’s business associations and community groups working toward this citywide priority. The Retail Strategic Plan was completed in June 2017 and many recommendations to help Cambridge’s small businesses were implemented in Fiscal Year 2018. These actions included creating a small business data dashboard, promoting district assessments, hosting small business open houses and a small business summit, and launching a food truck pilot. Another key Retail Strategic Plan recommendation included driving experience in the City’s diverse commercial districts. Community Development Department’s (CDD) economic development staff are working on a variety of programs to implement this recommendation, including celebrating National Small Business Week (May 2019) with a variety of events, panel discussions, and educational sessions across Cambridge, and developing a Small Business Saturday/Shop Cambridge campaign for fall 2019. We expect to meet with business association leaders in early 2019 to begin planning for Small Business Saturday. In collaboration with the businesses, businesses associations, and other City departments, we will develop a Small Business Saturday Strategy that will include the following: 1. “Shop Cambridge” Campaign: Starting in October 2019, we will implement a marketing campaign focused on the economic benefits of shopping local, and will promote this on Bluebike stations, social media posts, etc. 2. Social Media Tool Kit: We will develop a social media tool kit for business associations and business owners to use to increase traffic to their businesses during Small Business Saturday and the 2019 holiday season.

Page 2 of 2 3. Special Events: We will promote and develop special events in different commercial districts (e.g. holiday strolls, hot chocolate sampling, etc.) on Saturday, November 30, 2019. 4. Additional Signage: We will use City-owned lawn signs, digital construction signs, and City/CDD website to promote Small Business Saturday. 5. Shopping Contest: We will work with local businesses and associations to organize a shopping contest that encourages residents and visitors to “Shop Cambridge” on Small Business Saturday.