Westborough – The Westborough Economic Development Committee (EDC) has been working proactively to help support the local business community. From large corporations to small business owners, the EDC seeks to provide programs that help businesses grow and thrive. The Shop Westborough Initiative is a new program that will kick off this holiday season the weekend after Black Friday (Nov. 28 and 29) with the Make a Pledge to shop local on Saturday, Nov. 28 for small businesses and a Holiday Stroll Sunday Nov. 29 for all businesses—big or small.
“Large corporations have a role in our local economy just as much as our small-business owners,” said Francisco Torres, economic development coordinator for the town of Westborough, who is spearheading the Shop Westborough Initiative.
“The success of every small business in Westborough is important to the EDC and the local economy. Locally-owned businesses provide local jobs and help make the downtown area more quaint—separating us from our neighbors whose main shopping areas are filled with big box stores,” he added. “That’s why we’re asking everyone to Make a Pledge to spend at least 15 percent of your holiday spending in a local business with a kick-off Nov. 28.”
Shoppers are encouraged to tweet @makeapledge @WestboroughEDC to share their videos.
The Community Advocate, Yummy Mummy Bakery, the Gifting Tree, Maximum Nutrition Center, and Red Barn Coffee Roasters have all signed on thus far to partner with the EDC on this initiative.
Corporate Citizen Opportunity in Holiday Stroll
Larger companies have a role in the local economy as well, Torres said. Approximately 40 percent of the Westborough tax base comes from commercial business owners. There are a variety of strong business sectors in Westborough—from technology to life sciences and manufacturing to finance. The Holiday Stroll will give corporations a chance to showcase their company or products Nov. 29 and engage with the local community by hosting an activity (stocking decorations, art painting, etc).
Festival of Lights and Parade
The EDC is partnering with the Westborough Recreation Department to expand the annual Festival of Lights ceremony hosted by the Rotary Club of Westborough. The Holiday Stroll will begin at 3 p.m. with a reading from Mrs. Claus at the Westborough Public Library and a Taste of Westborough from 3- 5 p.m. A Festival of Lights Parade will begin at 5 p.m. featuring holiday-themed, decorated cars – corporations can host a car for the Light Parade. Contact Jennifer Kirkland, [email protected] for more information. The Festival of Lights will end with a visit from Santa.
“The wonderful thing about the Shop Westborough Initiative is that it isn’t simply the town engaging with our business community—rather, our initiative has begun to form relationships between the large and small businesses themselves,” said Torres. “As part of the Shop Westborough Initiative, larger companies are offering advertisement opportunities to support our smaller businesses. Companies like the Community Advocate, Penta Communications, and Cidewalk are helping small businesses expand and strengthen their marketing outreach with free consultations or marketing opportunities.”
Torres urged everyone to keep an eye out for marketing and promotions throughout town. Holiday promotions will vary from business to business, with some businesses offering discounts on Nov. 28 or Nov. 29. If you are a business interested in participating in the Shop Westborough Initiative, contact Torres, EDC Coordinator at [email protected] for more information.
