Submitted by Haley Stafford
(July 10, 2025) — Pamela Steele, Chairwoman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, has announced the completion of the 2025 Side Street to Main Street Minority Business “Know-How” Program. A virtual completion ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, wrapping up fourteen successful years of an intensive, four-session Entrepreneurial Program that provides practical knowledge for starting and building a small business in Middlesex County and surrounding areas within the Eversource Energy footprint.
Business “Know-How” is targeted and designed specifically to assist people who have not had formal business training to develop the attitudes, skills and qualities necessary for business ownership and success. Fully funded by a generous grant from Eversource Energy and designed as a companion to the Chamber’s award-winning Side Street to Main Street Business and Leadership Development Program, Business “Know-How” offers a bridge for business owners hoping to participate in the Business and Leadership Development Program. Participants in the Business “Know-How” Program learn a variety of business-related skills from both the program’s expert facilitator/instructor and through classroom group discussions of the homework assignments.
Middlesex Chamber President Johanna Bond noted, “A big thanks to Eversource Energy for their continued support and generous funding of the Side Street to Main Street Minority Business “Know-How” Program.”
Since the first class started in 2012, 172 people have successfully graduated from the Side Street to Main Street Minority Business “Know-How” Program. To participate in next year’s 2026 program, email Jennifer@middlesexchamber.com.





