HAVERHILL, MA – An initiative that is about a year in the making is coming to fruition on Tuesday night – the Haverhill Business Portal (HBP). The HBP utilizes digital technology to make the city friendlier to prospective businesses, startups, and entities interested in conducting business in Haverhill.
“It’s exciting to see this initiative come to fruition,” said Representative Vargas. “Part of the challenge for folks interested in starting a business or bringing their business to Haverhill is not knowing where to start or who to talk to. The Haverhill Business Portal is a step in the right direction towards utilizing tech to show all that Haverhill has to offer. I’m particularly grateful to Nate Robertson who put in a lot of work to make this happen and to HC Media for producing quality videos of department heads.”
In late 2016, Councilor Andy Vargas addressed the Haverhill City Council on a matter relative to using technology to make the city friendlier to prospective businesses, startups, and entities interested in doing business in Haverhill.
Following the meeting, Vargas began to build HaverhillBusinessPortal.com, with the support of HC Media (which produced videos of department heads), Mayor Fiorentini’s office of Economic Development – Bill Pillsbury, Planning & Economic Development Director and Nate Robertson, Assistant Director, as well as Noah Koretz of Mass Development and Bev Donovan of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce.
The Haverhill Business Portal:
Outlines a roadmap on how to start a business in HaverhillIntroduces visitors (via videos) to department heads
Details information for financing, business development, workforce development, licensing and permittingProvides a list of Haverhill residents willing to serve as mentors to prospective businesses
Highlights Haverhill’s assets and existing businesses
The website will be unveiled at the Council’s meeting on Tuesday night at 7:00pm in the Council chambers at City Hall. This is Representative Vargas’ last City Council meeting, as he fulfills his promise to step down from the Council and serve solely as State Representative for the 3rd Essex District.