The Lowell Plan and the LDFC

Congratulations to the Lowell Plan Public Matters class of 2024! We were thrilled to celebrate the conclusion of the sixth month program at the The Old Court in June. And we can't wait to see the positive impact these leaders will have on the city!

Interested in joining the next Public Matters cohort? Applications will open this fall for the 2025 program. Check out our website for more details: http://www.lowellplan.org/public-matters-overview

📸: Megpix Photography

Exciting projects on the horizon!!!

🎉 Congratulations to Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union on the grand opening of their expanded offices on Merrimack St.! 🏦 Your growth is a testament to your dedication and service to Lowell and the Acre neighborhood.

A big shout-out to the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership and all the new homeowners at Acre Crossing! 🏡🔑 Your hard work and commitment to providing housing opportunities is making dreams come true.

Here's to many more years of success and community building! 🥂

Congratulations to our friends at the Lawrence Partnership on their 10 Year Anniversary!

We love the new banners! Thanks City of Lowell, MA - Government!

Callling all entrepreneurs, you won't want to miss this free webinar about funding your small business!

Join Entrepreneurship Center at CTI on Wednesday, JUne 5, 2024 from 12pm-2pm to learn about various funding opportunities available for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Their expert speakers will share valuable insights and opportunities for your business.

📆Date: June 5, 2024
⏰Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm
📍Location: Online

To register for this seminar visit link below⬇
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/e-center-presents-funding-for-entrepreneurs-and-small-businesses-tickets-868517167227?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌟 The Lowell Plan is thrilled to collaborate with the Coalition for A Better Acre and the Lowell Alliance for the second year of the Board Diversity Initiative (BDI)! 🌟

BDI is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion within Lowell's non-profit boards and empowering diverse leaders to seize opportunities to serve.

This initiative is made possible by the generous support of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation.

Join us in building a more inclusive and vibrant community! 💪✨

Board Diversity Initiative — Lowell Plan The Board Diversity Initiative (BDI) aims to build a culture of inclusion among Lowell’s non-profit boards, and support diverse leaders seeking opportunities to serve.

LDFC Staff and Board members had a great time at the Money Mastery for Women In Business event this morning.

This event, hosted by our friends at EforAll Merrimack Valley, Tomo360, and the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, was designed to inform women entrepreneurs about the different resources available to finance their business.

"Lowell has long been recognized as a burgeoning hub of creativity and innovation, a reputation that many stakeholders in the community have worked diligently to cultivate and uphold. The Hamilton Canal Innovation District (HCID) represents a cornerstone of this vision, offering unparalleled opportunities for economic advancement, technological innovation, and community development...Maintaining the integrity of the original vision for the Hamilton Canal Innovation District is essential to realizing its full potential as a catalyst for growth and opportunity in Lowell."

Lowell Plan Weighs in on HCID Development - InsideLowell

Shout out to all the small businesses out there on National Small Business Week and every week!

Looking forward to the Money Mastery for Women in Business event next week.

Money Mastery for Women in Business In a collaborative effort to empower women entrepreneurs, Tomo360, EforAll Merrimack Valley, and the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub.

Calling all Lowell food based businesses...

📢Restaurant and Food Business Workshop Survey📢

With this program, businesses who need expert advice can apply for assistance and be paired with a consultant who can analyze their needs and develop a work plan for them to reach their goals. The aim of this program is to sustain and grow independent restaurants and food businesses in Lowell.

There will be 2 workshops offered by the consultants that are open to any existing or aspiring restaurant or food business owner in Lowell. Please select the topics, formats, and timeframes that would be best for your business.

Take survey linked below for you feedback✨⬇
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/prepshift

It's going to be a beautiful night to light up the locks! Shout out to our friends at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and Lowell Waterways Vitality Initiative for highlighting Lowell's special waterfront spaces.

Initiative Lights Up Swamp Locks - InsideLowell Lowell – The Lowell Waterways Vitality Initiative (Waterways) is pleased to announce the completion of its latest lighting project, the Swamp Locks gatehouse. The lighting of this historic gatehouse, located in the heart of the Hamilton Canal Innovation District, marks the third completed lighting...

More exciting news for UMass Lowell and the City of Lowell, MA - Government

Welcome Draper! We’re so glad you’ve chosen Lowell!

Great gathering of developers, lenders, and other members of Lowell’s business community this morning at the Lowell Plan Speaker Series event on Investing in Downtown Lowell.

Overall theme from the panelists: "Lowell is a great place to invest and a welcoming city for developers!"

We couldn't agree more!!!

Congratulations to The Old Court, an LDFC Downtown Venture Fund borrower and one of our favorite places to grab a pint! Slainte Mhath!

14 Best Pubs in Massachusetts! There’s something about the corner pub—for a beer and a burger—that exudes a raw sense of comfort. Unlike a restaurant or fancy bar,

Great story about one of our downtown venture fund borrowers and Lowell Plan board members! We are so lucky to have lala books and the Lamarre Anderson family in Lowell!

In Lowell, a literary and creative community gathers at Lala Books Laura Lamarre Anderson of Lala Books joins Boston.com’s Book Club to talk about Andre Dubus III’s “Ghost Dogs.”

Calling all restaurants!

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲!

𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉 𝙐𝙋 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀 : https://bit.ly/3SDqI37

Back for the 2nd time, Munch Madness is a City of Lowell, MA - Government sponsored initiative in partnership with the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce to support, encourage, and reward Lowell-based businesses and their patrons.

From March 1-31st, patrons who dine at participating restaurants and businesses and spend at least $25 can earn an entry toward giveaways of sports-, arts-, and culturally-themed events based in Lowell, and a Grand Prize drawing to see who gets to Dine Around Lowell for a Year.

One lucky participating business will also receive an incredible prize! Check out the signup form for more details.

This weekend the city turns into a winter wonderland of fun and festivities with Lowell Winterfest. You don't want to miss it!

Tomorrow's the first day of WinterFest! What are your weekend plans? 📢
If you're still looking for ideas, visit https://www.lowellwinterfest.com/

Like Lowell
Greater Merrimack Valley
Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Mosaic Lowell

Congratulations, City of Lowell, MA - Government on being named one of the top 25 best places to live in the Northeast! We couldn't agree more!!!

Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Northeast - Livability These 25 Northeastern cities each have something special to offer. These 25 Northeastern cities each have something special to offer.

Lowla knows best! We're excited for Lowell Winterfest 2024?!

Lowla's been coming to WinterFest for a long time, so she's decided to release her personal guide to WinterFest 2024. 🐻‍❄️
Check it out here: https://www.likelowell.com/explore-like-a-local/2024/1/30/lowlas-favorite-things

Like Lowell
City of Lowell, MA - Government
Mosaic Lowell
Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Greater Merrimack Valley

Unlocking Potential: The Lowell Plan's Market Study Paves the Way for MCC's Future Investment

The Lowell Plan is thrilled to announce the completion of a comprehensive market study on behalf of Middlesex Community College (MCC), focusing on the re-opening and re-positioning of the former UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center. The study, conducted by the esteemed Pinnacle Advisory Group, has provided valuable insights into the potential re-use of the facility.
The UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center ceased operations in the fall of 2023 as part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' initiative to accommodate homeless families. With expectations that the state will utilize the facility for up to two years, the market study becomes a crucial step in determining the future of this downtown asset.

The Pinnacle Advisory Group's assessment highlights positive growth in the greater Lowell market over the next five to seven years. Their findings indicate that the region can support multiple boutique-size hotels, attributing this potential to increased commercial activity, the region’s rich cultural landscape, and the presence of professional sports teams like the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the Massachusetts Pirates arena football team.

The report not only provides general facility recommendations but also emphasizes the proximity of the facility to demand generators like UMass Lowell, MCC, and various arts, cultural, and entertainment venues. Furthermore, the abundance of nearby restaurants and eateries adds to the appeal of the location.

This market study marks the first step in positioning Middlesex Community College to explore the future acquisition and repositioning of the building. MCC President, Phil Sisson, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "MCC is excited at the prospect of expanding our culinary arts and hospitality programs at the facility, as well as providing residential services to our students.” He added, “We have a successful track record of reviving underutilized properties in the city and transforming them into state-of-the-art facilities. We're excited about the opportunity of doing the same with the ICC."

The next two years will be crucial in identifying the appropriate path forward. Allison Lamey, Executive Director of the Lowell Plan, stressed “The continued success of downtown Lowell is intricately tied to the fate of the ICC. The Lowell Plan is committed to ensuring the building’s future as a valuable economic contributor to the city and we’re eager to support Middlesex Community College's interest in the property."

Who's hungry?!

Excited for the return of this great event from our friends at the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lowell, MA - Government!

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲!

​🇸​​🇮​​🇬​​🇳​ ​🇺​​🇵​ here: https://bit.ly/3SDqI37

Back for the 2nd time, Munch Madness is a City of Lowell, MA - Government sponsored initiative in partnership with the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce to support, encourage, and reward Lowell-based businesses and their patrons.

From March 1-31st, patrons who dine at participating restaurants and businesses and spend at least $25 can earn an entry toward giveaways of sports-, arts-, and culturally-themed events based in Lowell, and a Grand Prize drawing to see who gets to Dine Around Lowell for a Year.

One lucky participating business will also receive an incredible prize! Check out the signup form for more details.

The Lowell Plan Public Matters® class of 2024 is assembled!

Now in its 15th year, the Lowell Plan Public Matters® program has welcomed emerging leaders from a cross section of industries to learn more about Lowell's history and the leaders who have shaped where the city is today. They also learn about each other and their role in impacting the city's future.

To learn more about the program and read about the 2024 cohort check out our website:

Overview — Lowell Plan Lowell Plan Public Matters®

We were thrilled to participate in this event! Thank you Greater Lowell Community Foundation for your support of the Board Diversity Initiative and for hosting this important panel discussion.

Congratulations to the graduates of the inaugural Board Diversity Initiative. This pilot program was created in collaboration with the Lowell Alliance, Coalition for A Better Acre, and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce with funding through a grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.

The objective of the initiative was two-fold: 1) connect and prepare diverse leaders with opportunities to serve on boards of area non-profit organizations and 2) support organizations trying to build boards that reflect the culture of the community and help strengthen their connections with their constituencies.

Alumni from the Lowell Plan Public Matters program were among the cohort members this year.

On Wednesday November 15th Lowell Alliance, The Lowell Plan, Coalition for a Better Acre, and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce wrapped up a wonderful five session Board Diversity Initiative Pilot Program! We are thrilled to have partnered with local organizations to create opportunities for leaders in Lowell to learn more about how they can join a board, what to expect, and how to succeed on a board as well as train and support current board members on how to create effective onboarding materials and better connect with the community. We can't wait to see local leaders thriving on Lowell boards soon!

We also shared fantastic local food with each other at the beginning of each session and would like to thank Fork Included, Youth Build, and Sizzling Kitchen for providing truly delicious food at our sessions.