Build on Your Business
The Shirley Ave Build On Your Business Initiative (BOYB) is designed to support local commercial property owner-occupants in stabilizing vital neighborhood “anchors” (businesses that mean a lot to the community) while creating opportunities for local wealth building through thoughtful property redevelopment. By helping these owners explore adding housing on-site, BOYB aims to prevent voluntary displacement, sustain cultural and economic vitality, and contribute to alleviating the region’s pressing housing shortage. This program offers tailored technical assistance, education, and seed funding to empower owners to envision and advance mixed-use projects that strengthen both their businesses and the broader Shirley Avenue neighborhood.

Sign up for a visioning session
By booking this meeting you are setting a time to meet with the BOYB program team including representatives from The City of Revere, Mass Housing Partnership, MassDevelopment's TDI program, and as appropriate Women Encouraging Empowerment (who also support Spanish-English language access).
Applicants to the Seed Grant are required to complete a visioning session by 9/15/25
Apply for Seed Funding
$10,000 per project in funding for critical early work like structural engineering assessments, design concepts, or business planning related to construction interruptions. Approximately four seed grants are available. Apply by September 15, 2025 to be considered!
Upcoming events
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Developers Tour
July 31 @ 12 noon
Hosted by The Builders Coalition to highlight opportunities within Revere, including Shirley Ave. Join to connect with builders who could support your project!
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Information Session
August 13 @ 1:30 PM
Join the BOYB program team for an information session. The webinar will include a presentation as well as an interactive Q+A.
Questions?
Laura Christopher, TDI Fellow – Revere
LChristopher@MassDevelopment.com
(617) 312-3100
“Together, we’re creating tools that help small businesses stay, grow, and be part of Revere’s future.”