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BOSTON - Friday,
April 16, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey announced that the City of Boston this
week released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide technical
assistance support to certified cannabis equity applicants. This $675,000
investment over three years is designed to expand economic and
entrepreneurial opportunity and capacity. Completed proposals will be
accepted monthly on a rolling basis, on the first day of each month, for
a three year period, beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending March 31,
2024. The first deadline will be May 1, 2021. Proposals can be submitted
electronically via the City of Boston Supplier Portal.
"Today we are
taking a major step forward in lifting up local entrepreneurs with
diverse ownership from communities disproportionately impacted by the war
on drugs," said Mayor Kim Janey. “We want to ensure that business
owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry have the tools
they need to grow and thrive in Boston.”
In 2016, the
Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved a ballot question
to legalize and regulate adult-use marijuana. That law requires the
development of "procedures and policies to promote and encourage
full participation in the regulated marijuana industry by people from
communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by
marijuana prohibition and
enforcement and to positively impact those communities.”
In November 2019,
in her former role as Boston City Council President, Mayor Kim Janey led
the City Council in passing an Ordinance to establish equitable regulation of the
cannabis industry in the City of Boston. This ordinance was the result of
a collaboration from many stakeholders and advocates and ensures Boston’s
role as a national model for how to create a system that fosters racial
equity and inclusion in the new cannabis industry.
As part of this
ordinance, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED) will oversee
the Cannabis Technical Assistance Program to assist any eligible
certified cannabis equity applicants. This designation is based on the
majority of an applicant’s business ownership and gives preference to
people who reside in areas impacted hardest by the war on drugs, Boston
residents, people of color, and people with low incomes, among others.
Based on this criteria, the City will maintain an equal or greater number
of equity applicant licensees to licensees that do not qualify as equity
applicants. The Office of Economic Development has also hired a full-time
Cannabis Industry Manager to work directly with cannabis applicants to
guide equity applicants through the certification process and to match
their needs with experienced TA providers.
“Cannabis is a
fast-growing industry, and Boston is committed to ensuring that equity
applicants in our city can access the resources they need to launch a
successful business,” said Midori Morikawa, Interim Chief of Economic
Development. “Boston is the first city in the United States to formally
prioritize diverse applicants who are looking to participate in this
emerging industry. With this new RFP, the Boston Cannabis Equity Program
will support equity applicants with critical technical assistance across
business operations, workforce development, legal compliance, and other
best practices to assist diverse cannabis businesses throughout the
city.”
Applicants and
licensees seeking to be certified pursuant to the Ordinance are reviewed
and certified by the Office of Economic Development, in collaboration
with the Boston Cannabis Board and other appropriate city departments
when applicable. Once selected, the Office of Economic Development shall
facilitate the initial engagement with the contractor. In each case, the
contractor will be expected to work directly with the cannabis equity
applicant.
"Since its
formation, the Boston Cannabis Board has worked diligently to ensure
equity, both to whom cannabis establishment licenses are granted and the
geographic distribution of these licenses through the City of Boston,"
said Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce. "We have prioritized equity since
the beginning of this new industry in Boston. Providing technical
assistance to certified equity applicants is critical to ensuring those
communities negatively impacted by the failed war on drugs have access to
this emerging industry. We want to support these applicants throughout
the entire process, and we look forward to continuing this important
work."
Technical
assistance providers are experienced business consultants that, through
this program, will provide high quality one-on-one assistance to
designated businesses, and also provide group workshops and coaching
sessions to existing or aspiring business owners. Services can include,
but are not limited to:
·
Assistance
with business operations, including the development of business
plans;
·
Assistance
recruiting employees;
·
Guidance
and assistance through the application process;
·
Assistance
with legal compliance;
·
Accounting
and tax preparedness assistance;
·
Best
practices for operating in the marijuana industry;
·
Assistance
with store security;
·
Assistance
identifying and raising funds and capital and identifying vendors;
·
Guidance
on legal issues and compliance; and
·
Other
cannabis business equity applicant needs.
All prospective TA
providers are encouraged to attend a live applicant conference session
for the opportunity to address questions relative to the content of the
RFP. These sessions will be held quarterly, via Zoom, and will occur in
person pending updated COVID-19 public health restrictions at 1 City Hall
Sq., Boston, MA 02201. To register, view upcoming dates, and join the
conference, please visit: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ETxD64JzTQqNBpyq0Wbvdg
Every month, on
the first business day of the month, applications will be downloaded from
the City of Boston Supplier Portal website for review. The RFP will appear
live again the next day for the following month. In order to participate
in these online procurement activities, bidders must register with the Supplier Portal.
The City of Boston
encourages a full range of TA providers to apply for this opportunity to
support the varied and dynamic needs of small business owners of all
backgrounds. The City of Boston seeks to promote the full participation
and equity of opportunity for minority‐owned and women‐owned enterprises (“M/WBEs”) on City of
Boston contracts. To support these City objectives and to further the
City’s progress toward achieving its goal of 25% M/WBE participation on
City discretionary spend, the City encourages minority-owned and
woman-owned enterprises to respond to this RFP.
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