Walsh Discusses Small-Business Report at BHBA Annual Meeting

Mayor Martin J. Walsh addressing the crowd at Hampshire House during the Beacon Hill Business Association’s annual meeting.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh addressing the crowd at Hampshire House during the Beacon Hill Business Association’s annual meeting.

By Dan Murphy

Mayor Martin J. Walsh detailed findings from the city’s recently released report on small businesses during the Beacon Hill Business Association’s annual meeting at Hampshire House on Monday, March 28.

According to the “Small Business Plan – Summary Report,” Boston’s 40,000 small business generate about $15 billion in revenue and 170,000 jobs, and of these, more than 95 percent are sole proprietors or firms with fewer than 50 employees and less than $5 million in revenue.

The plan lists three primary goals: “to make the small business economy thrive, to enhance neighborhood vibrancy and to foster economic and social inclusion and equity.” It intends to facilitate access to resources for all businesses, especially those owned by minorities, women and immigrants.

To help achieve these objectives, Walsh said the city will open a Small Business Center on July 1, which will have a physical office at City Hall, as well as a new Web portal to help small businesses find resources and a dedicated “311” small-business hotline.

In spite of the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s ongoing litigation against the city regarding the installation of ADA-compliant curb-cuts in sidewalks, Walsh said he still supports the neighborhood and its small businesses.

 “Beacon Hill is special and unique, and that’s something important to move forward,” Walsh said. “This is an important neighborhood to thrive and grow.”

Meanwhile, Business Association executive committee members for 2016 were named at the meeting, including Nina Castellion as president, Ali Ringenburg as vice president, Basherat Sheikh as treasurer and Lana Barakat as clerk.

Business Association directors for 2016 include Luke Aaron, Louis Desautels, Victoria Glazomitsky, Lucy Grogan, Suzie O’Brien, Markus Ripperger and Markus Ripperger.

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