SBA Business Resources Matchmaker Event – Wednesday, April 17th at Barnstable High School
The US Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts District Office, Cape and the Islands SCORE and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center are hosting an upcoming in-person Access to Capital and Small Business Resources Matchmaker event on Wednesday, April 17th from 10am – 1pm. 
This free event, to be held at the Barnstable High School Cafeteria, is an opportunity to network and learn about the resources available for small businesses to start, grow, and expand your business. There will be representatives from a variety of Cape area small business resource provider services as well as a variety of local SBA-approved lenders to connect with.
Downtown Hyannis Façade Grant Awards Announced 
The Barnstable Planning and Development Department, in partnership with the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District (BID), is pleased to announce $115,000 in grant funding awarded to small businesses in downtown Hyannis for façade improvements.
The Downtown Hyannis Façade Grant Program will support 14 small businesses to improve the aesthetics of their storefronts with projects that include new signage, awnings, planters, and other attractive exterior improvements. Through additional matching funds provided by participating businesses, this funding is expected to result in approximately $150,000 dollars in new investment to the downtown Hyannis area.
This program was made possible through funding from a MassDevelopment Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Local Grant. The Town of Barnstable’s Planning and Development Department worked collaboratively with the BID to plan and manage the grant program.
This initiative is a continuation of the 2023 Small Business Façade Improvement Grant Program that provided grants to 21 small businesses and resulted in over $400,000 of investment in downtown Hyannis.
Food Truck RFP for Dowses and Covell’s Beaches
The Town of Barnstable is seeking proposals from food truck operators that wish to provide food truck concession services in the parking lots at Dowses Beach in Osterville or Covell’s Beach in Centerville during the 2024 summer season. Dates of operation will be Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
RFP documents will be available starting on Wednesday, April 17th on the Town of Barnstable Bonfire Procurement Portal: https://townofbarnstable.bonfirehub.com. The last day to submit questions is no later than 12:00 Noon on April 24, 2024. Proposals are due in the Procurement Portal at link above no later than 12:00 Noon on May 1, 2024.
Upcoming Big Blue Conference – April 30th and May 1st 
The Cape Cod Blue Economy Foundation will be hosting its second Annual Big Blue Conference on April 30th and May 1st at the Cape Cod Gateway Airport. The 2024 Big Blue Conference will explore how the future of blue is electric. From air to land to sea, you’ll learn about innovative work happening in renewable energy and coastal resiliency from community and industry leaders. For more information, please visit: https://www.capecodchamber.org/members/events/big-blue-conference/
Hyannis Snack Shack – Applications Open
The Town of Barnstable invites culinary entrepreneurs and food service professionals to apply to rent the Snack Shack at the Hyannis Harbor Overlook. The Snack Shack, located adjacent to the HyArts Artist Shanties, offers a highly-visible and low-cost pop location available to rent by food service providers. 
For more information, please visit the program website or contact Kyle Pedicini, Community & Economic Development Planner, at kyle.pedicini@town.barnstable.ma.us or at 774-487-1246.
