$1.8M Boosts Small Business

February 19, 2026

Kiara Ford, 978-844-1380
kford@massdevelopment.com

BOSTON – Today, MassDevelopment announced $1,849,795.10 in grants from the Biz-M-Power Grant Program to help 48 small businesses in Massachusetts strengthen and grow. Ranging from $6,720 to $50,000, the grants will empower businesses to (1) buy, expand, improve, or lease a facility, (2) buy or lease equipment, or (3) meet other capital needs of the business.

“Small businesses drive our economy by creating jobs, producing valued goods and services, and contributing to vibrant communities across the state,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. “We are glad to see these grants supporting a variety of small businesses in every region of Massachusetts, from farms to restaurants to bakeries and beyond.”

“MassDevelopment is pleased to deliver funding from the Biz-M-Power Grant Program to help 48 small businesses succeed and grow in our state,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “Small businesses are the economic heartbeat of communities across Massachusetts. By investing in a new or renovated facility, equipment, or another capital need, these small businesses are a step closer to achieving their business goals, strengthening their bottom line, expanding their workforce, and flourishing.”

Administered by MassDevelopment on behalf of the Commonwealth, the Biz-M-Power Grant Program provides grants to help small businesses strengthen and grow. Today’s grants were awarded through the fifth round of the program, which opened for applications in March 2024. Eligible applicants include small businesses and microbusinesses with fewer than 20 employees and up to $2.5 million in annual revenues at the time of application. Applicants are required to contribute a minimum of 20% of the project costs. Today’s grants will leverage more than $370,082 in private investment and support the creation of 77 full-time jobs and 66 part-time jobs.

Examples of awarded projects include:

•    $43,067.10 to Pine Hill Orchards in Colrain, which will use funds to buy a new bottling machine to bottle and cap its homemade apple cider. This upgraded equipment will modernize the bottling process to meet food safety standards, improve efficiency, and increase apple cider production.

•    $14,583.34 to Door Prize, LLC in North Adams, which will use funds to add wooden slats to the ceiling of its restaurant space. This will improve acoustics and provide a better dining experience for guests.

•    $50,000 to Lasercare Cosmetic LLC in Reading, which will use funds to buy new laser equipment to incorporate laser tattoo removal into its existing practice. This new laser equipment will also be able to remove the appearance of freckles and age spots.

•    $50,000 to Silver Whisk Bake Shop, LLC in Waltham, which will use funds to buy new kitchen equipment to expand production of its chocolate bars, which come in classic as well as Asian-inspired flavors, into wholesale.

•    $50,000 to American Vinegar Works LLC in Worcester, which will use funds to automate two important parts of its bottle processing: automatic capping and automatic application of bottle labels. This new technology will allow American Vinegar Works to pursue additional large wholesale accounts.

“This grant allows Silver Whisk to reach a whole new level,” said Nancy Zhou, Owner of Silver Whisk Bake Shop. “It allows us to invest in equipment that will increase our production capacity while maintaining the artisanal quality we deeply care about. This means we can expand our wholesale partnerships for our gourmet chocolates, offer more variety in our retail shop, and grow our catering services for desserts and gifting. We’re so grateful for this opportunity and thrilled to share more butter, sugar, and chocolate with fellow dessert lovers!”

Full list of awarded projects:

•    Kismet Foods, Inc (Agawam) – $50,000
•    The Saucy Mama LLC (Agawam) – $21,768.34
•    Little Kids Academy, LLC (Arlington) – $35,569.58
•    Keankruta LLC (Boston) – $49,440
•    Lemar and Sons, Inc. (Boston) – $50,000
•    Perio Studio Associates PC (Boston) – $42,113.35
•    The Young Dream Family Company Inc (Boston) – $9,791.71
•    Zenarose Inc. (Boston) – $50,000
•    333 Services LLC (Brockton) – $50,000
•    Cidade Velha Inc. (Brockton) – $27,435
•    Leonor Pires Centeio Financial Services LLC (Brockton) – $50,000
•    Dado Tea, LLP (Cambridge) – $37,455.83
•    Zuzu's Petals (Cambridge) – $48,775
•    Fruit Life Inc (Chicopee) – $50,000
•    Pine Hill Orchards (Colrain) – $43,067.10
•    Sound Health Bodyworks (Deerfield) – $27,987.50
•    Crooked Stick Pops, LLC (Easthampton) – $40,521.82
•    Heather Beck Designs (Easthampton) – $15,886.05
•    Oake Knoll Farms LLC (Foxborough) – $50,000
•    Roundabout Books, Inc. (Greenfield) – $49,583
•    Olympus Training Lab LLC (Hopedale) – $49,888.95
•    Kalon Farm, Inc (Lancaster) – $50,000
•    Sweet Grace Heavenly Cakes LLC (Lawrence) – $50,000
•    Bri’s Sweet Treats, LLC (Leicester) – $15,548.46
•    Malis Nails Boutique, LLC (Lowell) – $22,367.88
•    One Urban Tribe (Lowell) – $9,653.28
•    Simply Khmer Food Corp (Lowell) – $6,720.43
•    Spicy Water Distillers LLC (Millbury) – $34,631.46
•    Diemand Egg Farm, Inc. (Montague) – $21,583
•    Element Brewing Company LLC (Montague) – $49,227.78
•    YMJ Inc (Natick) – $50,000
•    Rose Advanced Skin Care (Newton) – $50,000
•    Door Prize, LLC (North Adams) – $14,583.34
•    Wedding Invitations Corp. (Peabody) – $50,000
•    Casba Food and Pastries (Quincy) – $50,000
•    Lamour by Design, Inc (Randolph) – $50,000
•    Lasercare Cosmetic LLC (Reading) – $50,000
•    Vu CPA, P.C. (Salem) – $34,862.50
•    Melissa & Peter Martin DBA Dandelion Hill Farm (Sheffield) – $8,246.67
•    Pizza King Italian Kitchen LLC (Somerville) – $27,411.50
•    Thai J&J LLC (Somerville) – $50,000
•    Good Eats to Go (Southampton) – $14,558.99
•    Las Kangris Food Truck Inc (Springfield) – $50,000
•    Silver Whisk Bake Shop, LLC (Waltham) – $50,000
•    Shear Envy (Westminster) – $50,000 
•    Fieldcrest Brewing Company LLC (Wilbraham) – $41,116.58
•    American Graphics Institute, LLC (Woburn) – $50,000 
•    American Vinegar Works LLC (Worcester) – $50,000

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, delivers financing solutions, real estate expertise, and other assistance to strengthen and grow the Massachusetts economy. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, developers, banks, and municipalities, providing resources to help create jobs, build housing, and foster vibrant communities across the state. During FY2025, MassDevelopment financed or managed 409 projects generating investment of more than $4.65 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 25,246 jobs and build or preserve 2,867 housing units.