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Somerville committee hears that five immigrant‑owned East Somerville businesses closed; city outlines ‘Loyal to Local’ campaign
Summary
East Somerville Main Street told a Somerville City committee that five immigrant‑owned businesses closed since July and that 60% of local businesses reported revenue declines; city economic development staff described a citywide 'Loyal to Local' campaign and said direct business subsidies are limited under current grants.
Chair Kristen Strezzo opened the Committee on Housing, Community Development, and Equity on Jan. 28 and introduced a resolution asking the city to collaborate with East Somerville Main Street on efforts to promote and support neighborhood businesses.
Lindsey Allen, executive director of East Somerville Main Street, told the committee the neighborhood has seen an alarming decline in small businesses. "Since July, we have had 5 immigrant owned businesses close," she said, and reported that a December financial health survey found about 60% of businesses saw revenue declines over the previous 12 months. Allen described efforts such as "meet out at East" and grassroots events to draw customers to neighborhood establishments.
Richard Nakuni, the city’s director of economic development, said the administration launched a citywide "Loyal to Local" campaign that uses ads, bus boards, lawn signs and social channels to drive customers to local businesses. Nakuni said staff shifted some social activity to Reddit after technical problems with Instagram, and stressed a legal or policy limitation: public promotion must be framed citywide rather than targeted at a single ward. "A limitation that we have, though, as a city government ... we can't, but it has to be in the framing of the whole citywide," he said.
Staff and councilors discussed funding options. A deputy director cautioned against language that casts business districts in a negative light and recommended positive messaging — "enjoy, enliven" — to avoid discouraging customers. City staff said they have limited resources for direct business subsidies and that many business‑support grants were COVID‑era programs that are no longer available. The administration noted it recently secured a grant of roughly $1,000,000 for early childhood work but said similar sustainable sources for direct business assistance are scarce.
Councilors and staff agreed to continue the conversation in a future committee meeting to explore outreach strategies, property activation options for recently vacated storefronts, cross‑municipal lessons from Cambridge and Boston, and ways to identify grant opportunities that can support neighborhood businesses.
The committee did not take a final vote on the resolution at this meeting and left the item for follow‑up.
