Chamber Initiatives

Storefront Improvement Program

The Arlington Redevelopment Board (ARB) is giving away $10,000 in FREE architectural services to provide design assistance to private business owners for the purpose of storefront renovation and improvement. Decisions will be made by the end of March.

The Chamber is collaborating with the ARB to promote this program and has done so with the February 28 breakfast meeting to launch the program, via its weekly email newsletter to Chamber members and through public relations outreach.

PROGRAM DETAILS
No-Cost Design Assistance:  The ARB will link interested business owners with an experienced architect to redesign the signs, lighting, window displays, and other architectural details of the storefront, restaurant or office.  The architect’s fees will be paid by the Town of Arlington through a Community Development Block Grant. The design assist funds are limited and available for a limited time.

Plan Approval: Since the architects chosen for this project are familiar with Arlington’s zoning bylaw and design guidelines, the business owner will know that the architect’s plan will meet local requirements for any applicable permits. 

Financial Resources: Three Chamber member banks are making available small, below market-rate loans to participating business owners who need financing to implement their improvement plans. Below are the contacts for any questions.

• The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Monday, March 24
  
• This Storefront Improvement program is open to ANY storefront business in town
• The banks' special loan programs are being offered to Arlington businesses and the loans can be used for exterior and interior improvements.
• Since each bank will be using credit scores, it can provide a quick turnaround in their decisions.
• Below you will find contact information for the right people to speak with in the Planning Dept. and at each of the banks and to the right you will find links to the following pdf documents:

Planning Dept.
   Kevin O'Brien, 781.316.3092

Leader Bank
  Kathleen Darcy, 1.781.363.0367

Cambridge Savings Bank
  Pat Porter, 617.441.4177
  Bob Clark, 617.441.4355

Watertown Savings Bank
  Eileen Lauria, 617.928.2365

Consider this your one-stop shop for all the details for this forward-thinking initiative. Below you will find information about the program and an application as well as loan details and applications from participating Chamber member banks.

Arlington Commercial Revitalization Brochure

ARB February 28 Presentation
(This very informative Powerpoint deck may take a while to download.)

Storefront Improvement Flyer

Storefront Improvement Application (Deadline for completed applications: March 24)

Leader Bank Loan Details

Leader Bank Loan Application

Cambridge Savings Bank
Loan Details

Cambridge Savings Bank Loan Application

Watertown Savings Bank
Loan Details

Watertown Savings Bank Loan Application

Promoting commerce with local businesses in Arlington, MA

A bustling downtown fosters a vibrant community. The Chamber of Commerce wants you to think of Arlington first when you spend your shopping dollars, which is why it created Shop Arlington First, a gift certificate program promoting local commerce.

Shop Arlington First gift certificates are redeemable at participating businesses, listed on www.ShopArlingtonFirst.com.

The lucky recipient of a Shop Arlington First gift certificate gets to choose where to spend it!

www.shopArlingtonFirst.com