Samia Walker of EforAll, speaks to the group at a social/networking event for Fairhaven businesses in the town hall auditorium, hosted by Economic Development Committee, on 11/16/23. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Economic Development Committee hosted a social/ networking event for Fairhaven businesses on 11/16/23 in the town hall auditorium. Members of the committee and other town officials joined about 20 local business owners and representatives of organizations that support businesses to share ideas, network with each other, and connect with services.
Fairhaven Director of Planning and Economic Development, Paul DiGuiseppe, said the idea was to show support for local businesses, to let owners know the town wants to support them, and to let them network with each other.
He handed out a list of agencies that offer free help to businesses, from mentoring to finding financing. The list is on the website.
Town Administrator Angie Lopes Ellison said the town planner and his office are there to help businesses succeed in Fairhaven. She said the evening was to give business owners a chance to get to know town officials and let the town know what businesses need to succeed.
“It’s about establishing relationships,” said Ms. Ellison. “Thank you for putting your business in Fairhaven.”
“We want to be a resource,” said Mr. DiGiuseppe.
He said Fairhaven has a very strong business community.
If you have challenges, some to us and we can help out,” he said, by connecting businesses to organizations that can help.
Samia Walker from eForAll said the organization offers mentoring and business plans. They offer webinars and other instructional products to help businesses grow.
Rob Anderson of MassDevelopment said economic development is about relationships. Networking events help business owners find ways to collaborate, he said
“Our goal is to help someone who wants to invest in the state,” he said. “The state is here to help.”
“This is great,” said Dianne Tomassetti, who is in real estate and is on the Planning Board. She used to run a bed & breakfast in Fairhaven, moved away and then moved back. “It’s nice to be part of Fairhaven again.”
Fairhaven’s Director of Planning and Economic Development, Paul DiGuiseppe, speaks to the group at a social/networking event for Fairhaven businesses in the town hall auditorium, hosted by Economic Development Committee, on 11/16/23. Photo by Beth David.
“I think it went really well,” said Mr. DiGiuseppe, noting that people were still there after a couple of hours, talking and getting to know each other and their businesses. “That’s success.”
But it is just the beginning, he said.
“We need to continue to grow and provide more resources to the group.”
EforAll is located at Groundwork, 1213 Purchase St, New Bedford, MA 02740; 833-336-7255.
Contact MassDevelopment at 275 Martine St # 201, Fall River, MA 02723; 508-678-0533.
Contact Paul DiGiuseppe at pdigiuseppe@fairhaven-ma.gov; or visit the Planning Department’s page on the town’s website at https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/planning-economic-development
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