Economic Development
Free Webinar on March 2, 2023
Manufacturing Apprenticeship Programs: Create your own pipeline of workers
Employers need skilled workers
Young people, career changers & workers interested in upward mobility want a path to a good job without accruing lots of debt. NAMC-registered apprenticeships can provide this.
What are Registered Apprenticeships?
They are flexible and customizable to your company's specific needs. NAMC will help you develop a training plan that outlines the the types and lengths of specialized, related instruction of your choice. Apprenticeships can be used to develop higher levels skills in dedicated incumbent manufacturing workers, of for an office worker, a maintenance mechanic, or any other position. To learn more about these resources, please contact Maryanne Ham, Executive Director of NAMC.
Attend a free workshop to learn more!
Register here.
Energy Efficiency Grants!
Applications open 2/23/23 for Energy Efficiency grants. To read more about the program or to apply, go here.
This ARPA-funded grant program is providing business owners and multi-family property owners up to $2000 for implementing energy efficiency improvements recommended through a Mass Saves Energy Audit. Get help covering the cost of the improvements through this grant program while lowering your overhead operating costs. A Win-Win for the business community and the environment! Apply now!
Workforce Solutions for Employers:
A Free Workshop Covering Employer Resources in Massachusetts including grants & technical assistance.
Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 8:30am
At this hybrid event, Acton-area employers learned about the existing resources here in the Commonwealth of MA. No need to struggle alone on hiring and training. Need help with hiring? Watch the replay and connect with Acton's Economic Development Office and your local MassHire to develop a plan of action for your company.
Full Workshop Replay:
Celebrating a successful Acton Business Tour!
On Tuesday February 7, 2023, the Acton Economic Development Department hosted and led the Acton Business Tour supported by MAPC. Town staff and elected officials toured the Town together to experience the various villages and nodes that make up our Town. Along the way we had four stops at four different businesses. At each stop, a different group of business owners and non profit leaders met us to share their experiences with operating in Town. The feedback received will be incorporated into a future, Doing Business in Acton Guide.
Small Business Saturday in Acton
Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 26, 2022.
What is Small Business Saturday? This is a national initiative that exists to encourage people to shop small and shop local that began in 2010. Here in Acton, this is the first year that the Economic Development Office is celebrating it!
We are so proud of all the companies here in Acton!
To learn more, check out the Find the Deals Map, The Directory booklet or the listing below! Shop Small & Shop local this holiday season and everyday. Some retailers are extending their promotions beyond Small Business Saturday. Thank you!
Find the Deals Map 2022
Small Business Saturday 2022 Directory
Alphabetical list of our participating retailers:
- 1 on 1 Self Indulgence Spa
- AB PIP STEM
- Acton Bowladrome
- Acton Fine Rugs
- Ace Hardware Acton
- Acton Pharmacy
- Acton Vacuum & Appliance
- Ames Art Studio & Gallery
- Anita's Shoe Boutique
- Anytime Fitness - Powdermill Road
- As You Like It Hair Salon
- Big Foot Moving & Storage
- Blush Tan Acton
- Boston Bijoux Jewelry
- Circle Furniture
- Colonial Spirits
- Commonwealth Ballet Company
- Densen Design
- DeVita Chiropractic
- Eve and Murray's Farm to Table
- Forest Vibe Photography
- Gift Boxes by Beth's Party Prep
- Gould's Fine Clothing
- Great Road Vintage
- Great Spaces
- Hammer and Stain (opening soon - stay tuned for their Grand Opening on December 1st!)
- Handworks Gallery
- Hit the Net Sports
- HOME by Stamm and Black
- Jazzercise Acton
- Jo Karen Fine Lingerie & Activewear
- John Palmer Moving & Storage
- King's Ink
- Kitchen Outfitters
- Learning Express Acton
- Live4PT
- Lyla Beauty Bar
- Magenta Dance Place
- Mood Chartreuse
- Optimal Health
- Pattern Review
- Pedal Power Bike & Ski
- Penguin Coding School
- Powdermill Crossfit
- Q Cleaner & Tailor
- Revolution Yoga
- RF's Workshop
- RH Adhesives
- Saplings Consulting
- Siesta Sleepworks
- Silver Unicorn Bookstore
- Smudge Ink
- SquashWest
- Stamm and Black Interior Design
- The Art Project (opening soon - stay tuned for their Grand Opening!)
- The Bee's Knees British Imports
- The Fish Nook Pet Center
- The Paper Store
- The Sea and Me
- The UPS Store
- Unique Nails
- Village Cleaners
- Wish K&D
Youth Manufacturing Day 2022
Special thank you to our event sponsor, Associated Environmental Systems, our participating organizations and media partner, ActonTV.
Thank you to AES, Haartz, NAA, Spark Photonics, Insulet, AB Pip Stem and ActonTV!
****THANK YOU! What a fun and successful event!****
THANK YOU
to all the Kelley’s Corner Block Party Sponsors & Supporters!
BIG Thank you to Roche Bros of Acton, The Main Event Sponsor for Kelley’s Corner Block Party
Kelley’s Corner Sponsor: Phillips 66 Gas Station, Sutherland Realty Group, Middlesex Savings Bank
Main Street Sponsor: Pedal Power Bike & Ski, Village Pediatric Dental, Enterprise Bank, Barrett Sotheby's International Realty,
Community Sponsor: SquashWest Sports & Fitness, RF Workshop LLC, Dunkin', Sante Fe Burrito Grill, Sorrento's Brick Oven Pizzeria, The Paper Store, Danny's Place Youth Services, Acton Lions Club, The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, Let's Gogh Art, Wicked Good Henna, The Bees Knees British Imports, Penguin Coding School, Insight Image & Media Aerial Photography, Videography & Drone Services, Charles River Radio Club
Mass Ave Sponsors: Q Cleaner & Tailor, Hansen Auto Body Acton, Sal’s Auto & Truck Repair, Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce, Bueno y Sano, Starbucks, TD Bank, Not Your Average Joe's, The Discovery Museum, Benjarong Restaurant, Kitchen Outfitters Acton, Visiting Angels, The Cookie Fairy, Acton-Boxborough Girl Scouts, Acton Scouts BSA Troop 32, Acton Scouts BSA Troop 284
Additional Supporters: AB PIP STEM, Acton Memorial Library, Friends of Acton Libraries, MIG Corporation, Acton Boxborough Regional School District, AB Family Network, Acton Housing for All, Energize Acton, Green Acton, Acton Climate Coalition, Acton Historical Society - Hosmer House, Tavernier Place, Acton Conservation Trust, AB United Way, Friends of Acton Community Dog Park, Acton Council on Aging, Acton Police Department, ActonTV, Acton Commission on Disabilities, Mothers Out Front Acton, Be Kind Acton, Friends of The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Boston Area Gleaners, Acton Water District, The Salted Soul Salt Cave, State Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Danillo Sena
At this fun, free community event we had a live band, magician, bubble party, face painting, henna, crafts, raffle, photographer, games, bike safety & e-bike clinic, drones over Kelley's Corner, and a food drive to support the Community pantry bin inside Roche Bros & support Acton Food Pantry.
View the event program here.
Want to see the plans for Kelley's Corner? Click here.
Tips to Green Your Biz
Hear from Acton's Sustainability Director, Andrea Becerra, Acton's Economic Development Director, Julie Pierce Onos and Acton's Transportation and Mobility Fellow, Degen Larkin as they talk about ways Acton's businesses can become more green. Click below:
Grants & Technical Assistance Awarded for the Acton, MA Business Community and Visual Artists
Public Art in Acton, MA– Boosting the Creative Economy
The Creative Economy is an important part of our economic and social well-being and we want to both support working artists in our community and add more public art to our streetscapes for all to enjoy. We are proud of the working artists and artisans in the Acton community. For this specific call for art we commissioned murals and benches. Commissioned mural artists are: Meg Nichols, Elizabeth Bejar-Benz, Elizabeth Ames & Shara Osgood. Commissioned bench artists are: Yin Peet, Pam Tobbler & Sunanda Sahay.
Read the press release here.
The first community mural is going into Kelley's Corner on Main Street! Check out the progress and let us know what you think!
Acton Business Incubator
We are proud of the Acton business community and our goal is to help the businesses who are here to stay and thrive while also attracting new businesses. The business community provides products and services to our Town and a livelihood for the business owners and their employees. This year we started our inaugural Acton, MA Business Incubator where the business owners receive micro-grants and technical information.
Business Awardees in alphabetical order are:
- Abode to Adore LLC
- Acanthi
- Ames Art Studio & Gallery
- Anita's Shoe Boutique
- Charlie Media
- Cooperative Elder Services
- Eve & Murray’s Farm to Home
- Green Home Solutions
- Handworks Gallery
- Live 4 Physical Therapy & Wellness Advising
- Penguin Coding School
- Q Cleaner & Tailor
- RF’s Workshop LLC
- Sal’s Auto
- SquashWest Sports & Fitness
- TensorDock
- Wicked Good Henna
The entire business community was invited to attend a three-part webinar series, free of charge, regardless of if they were selected for a grant award or not where they learned about the best practices in communication for reaching customers, networking with peers and securing funding.
Read the press release here.
Sign up for Acton's Business Boost!
Sign up to receive the Acton MA Business Boost: An Economic Development Newsletter. Each issue will spotlight new happenings with local businesses and organizations as well as resources and events that may be of interest. Connect with us and stay up to date! Sign up here.
Check out the Business Boost Archives!
Acton Community Movie
The Town of Acton supports our local business community in creative and innovative ways. The Town collaborated with CGI Communications to help businesses market themselves and reach potential customers while also showcasing all the great things about our community. Check out the video shorts here.
Acton Supports It's Local Businesses!
Acton is a business-friendly community, with a recent history of approving tax incentives for companies moving into Town. Associated Environmental Systems was granted a Special Tax Assessment to relocate from Ayer to Acton, doubling its workforce in the process. Acton taxpayers granted a generous Tax Increment Financing deal to Insulet Corporation, enabling the medical device company to build a global headquarters and manufacturing facility for its Omnipod insulin delivery device. These companies, along with Haartz Corporation, are working with the Town and MassHire to create the Middlesex County Manufacturing Collaborative to match job seekers with the training necessary to become valuable manufacturing employees. Acton is a leader in the region.
In September 2020, Acton voters approved funding for a small business grant program for those negatively impacted by COVID-19. The grant program was supposed to be funded by CARES Act funding, but the MA Department of Revenue prevented this. Acton voters stepped up to use more than $165,000 in free cash to fund the small business grant program. This program helped over 40 businesses which was significantly impactful to keeping these businesses afloat.