Introduction: 

Small businesses represent the very best our city has to offer. Whether it is a long-time resident who owns a family hardware store or an immigrant crafting homemade meals at their restaurant, these small businesses are critical elements of our neighborhoods. City Hall should be a champion for these small businesses, creating an environment that responds to their needs and forges pathways for development. 

Frankly, the current mayoral administration has fallen short in this regard. Yes, there have been macroeconomic forces that have challenged all businesses, yet there has also been a lack of adequate communication and transparency that consistently and overwhelmingly harms small businesses, their interests, and Boston’s greater economy. 

Josh’s vision for Boston prioritizes the success of small businesses. To accomplish this, he will reorient the levers of city government to account for the needs of these folks, reducing the bureaucratic barriers to entry that many business owners face to launch. Additionally, Josh will also create a citywide Small Business Council to provide a safe and productive pathway to communicate with City Hall. To increase opportunities for all, Josh will expand partnerships to expand access to capital for underserved communities. Finally, Josh will work to broaden and amplify outreach to all of Boston’s neighborhoods, ensuring that owners take full advantage of the resources available to them.

The current conditions for small businesses are difficult. The federal government’s tariff policies along with changing lifestyle patterns create an economic climate rife with confusion. City Hall needs to be a strong ally during these troubling times; there is no room for inequitable treatment or favoritism, all small businesses deserve support from their Mayor. The future of our neighborhoods depends on it. 

Action #1: Reduce Bureaucratic Burdens on Business Owners. Small businesses in Boston face a wide-array of challenges when it comes to growing, owning, and operating a small business. Whether it is overlapping inspections, delays in responses, confusing instructions, or a combination of the three, starting your business should not be a slow-motion maze. Josh believes City Hall should be your partner in opening your business, and here’s how he will do it:

• Create A “Small Business Express Lane” at City Hall: Josh will create a dedicated program within City Hall solely for the purpose of focusing on the needs of small businesses. Separate from the Small Business Office, this “Express Lane” will constitute a special queue for small business owners, so they can quickly schedule inspections, inquire about the status of various applications, or learn about the steps necessary to make their dream a reality.
• Merge Inspectional Workflows to Increase Efficiency: Josh knows that inspections can take a while for folks and that these setbacks can be expensive. As opposed to the current structure, with multiple departments often asking the same questions and offering contradictory results, Josh will work to reorganize how small businesses are reviewed in order to ensure a cost effective process for business owners, city workers, and taxpayers.
  • A Commitment to Efficiency: For too many owners, onerous inspectional delays disrupt the opening and operation of their small businesses. Far too often, due to avoidable holdups, thousands of dollars are lost through no fault of business owners. At the outset of his administration, Josh would ensure that all departments respond within a reasonable time or see service fees for businesses voided or eliminated. 
• In-House Accountability: Josh believes that City Hall must be held to a high-standard, and that begins with operational expediency when it comes to inspections and permitting. In a similar vein to Pennsylvania’s “Fast Track Dashboard,” a Kraft administration would publicly display the average wait times for the permits necessary to start a small business.

Action #2: Create A Small Business Council. A number of Boston’s diverse neighborhoods have unique needs and challenges. A small business in Dorchester may not require the same support or services that a small business in East Boston may need. However, it is important to offer every neighborhood in the city an avenue to advocate for their concerns and coordinate directly with City officials. Josh knows that when business leaders, community advocates, and civil servants come together, difficult challenges can be solved through discussion, compromise, and collaboration. 

• Accessibility for Small Business Owners: As Mayor, Josh will consult with business leaders in each neighborhood and create a system to elect three members from each community to join the council. This council will meet with Josh and leaders from his administration each quarter, offering direct access to City Hall leadership in a systemized fashion. 
• Workshops, Seminars, and More: This Council will form the basis for a whole host of opportunities that will support our small business community. From networking to mentoring to professional development, Josh believes that offering small businesses a comprehensive slate of City-backed programming will not just improve morale, but expand our economy. 
• Main Streets, Revitalized: The current administration’s attempt to grow our communities through the “Main Streets” initiative was well intentioned, but through closer coordination and a clear mission, Josh will build upon Main Streets to bring the focus back to our residents and their needs, not just ideological pursuits. 

Action #3: Increase Small Business Access to Cash-Flow, Financing & Capital. Small businesses can succeed when they have the capital and financial resources to grow, expand, and plug operational gaps. Currently, there are some successful programs offered by the City of Boston, such as “ReStore,” that provide assistance for small businesses. However, we can do more to support entrepreneurs in our city. As Mayor, Josh will pursue numerous avenues to offer financial support for small businesses that need it. 

• Growth from Inside Out: Josh believes that public-private partnerships with our local financial institutions are a logical path for small business growth. We can increase the power of taxpayer funded investments if we leverage financial resources from private entities that have a vested interest in building a strong economy.
• Mutually Beneficial Partnerships: We know that small businesses require the services of other small businesses to succeed. Josh knows that creating viable pathways for our small businesses to support other companies in the City are conduits to economic growth. Josh and his administration would champion a new era of systemized agreements that offer small businesses the opportunity to provide their services to other businesses that need it. 

Action #4: Accessibility and Information Sharing. No matter what a city puts forth to support small businesses, increasing awareness of programming and new opportunities, especially to historically underserved communities, is critical to viable growth. Josh knows we can do more to improve information-sharing, engagement, and access.

• A Boston Version of the Commonwealth’s “Business Front Door” Platform: Emulating the state’s model for assisting businesses at every step, Josh will champion a “Small Business Navigation Unit” within the Office of Small Business. This platform will provide not just links to forms or “office hours,” but step-by-step guidance for entrepreneurs navigating the current system.
  • The “Navigation Unit,” with both an online and in-person “concierge” element, will be available not just during working hours, but during early mornings and evenings as well because Josh understands that business owners deal with challenges that may need assistance at all hours. 
• Meet People, In-Person and Online: To effectively take advantage of city support systems, small business owners must be aware of the initiatives, funding opportunities, and related programs offered. Josh is committed to ensuring that his administration pounds the pavement, connecting directly with business owners on a consistent basis.