In this episode of Gateways, Tracy is once again in the Merrimack Valley, this time exploring how small business development programs are shaping transit-oriented development. She starts in Lowell, where the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub has served as an incubator for budding tech companies. Andrew Shapiro of the City of Lowell discusses how Caide Systems and Peroxygen, two startups, have found permanent homes near the Gallagher Transportation Center. Also, Tracy speaks with Lianna Kushi of EforAll, a business accelerator program. They discuss how technical assistance and mentorship can bring vibrant businesses to vacant storefronts in downtowns and transit-oriented districts. We then hear from four of the 14 entrepreneurs in the 2019 Lowell-Lawrence Summer Accelerator: Sing Thanousith of Hop Sing in Town, Virgilio Velazco of Foodega (formerly known as Spoon and Pork), Jennifer Flores of Jennifer the Traveling Stylist, Karen Vasso of Neighbor’s Acre Farm, and Tim Crowley of OurCards.

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Featured Guests

Andrew Shapiro

Director of Economic Development for the City of Lowell

Lianna Kushi

Executive Director for E for All, Lowell and Lawrence

Sing Thanousith

Founder of Hop Sing in Town

Virgilio Velazco 

Co-founder of Foodega (formerly Spoon and Pork)

Jennifer Flores

Founder of Jennifer the Traveling Stylist

Karen Vasso

Founder of Neighbor’s Acre Farm

Tim Crowley

Founder of OurCards

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