In the News

(28-MAY-26) Members of the Boxborough Economic Development Committee (EDC), Town Planner Alec Wade, and Associate Town Planner Ian Gilson greeted Congresswoman Lori Trahan and members of her staff on Thursday, May 28 at Oscar’s Burritos. 

Trahan arrived shortly after 11 a.m. on a scheduled visit to small Boxborough businesses to follow-up on the 2023 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Boxborough Business Improvement Grant Program, which used $125,000 in federal funding to create a fund designed to support small businesses in Boxborough. The grant program was administered by the Economic Development Committee and dispensed $102,000 to five local businesses.

Oscar and Dalia Garcia, owners of Oscar’s Burritos, received a $20,000 grant to support the renovation of the restaurant space to include Oscar's Cafe. The renovations included the installation of an upgraded water filtration system to provide adequate water quality for beverage service. They opened the cafe on April 10 and are now offering ice cream and coffee. “Dalia’s vision was realized due to the grant funds,” Oscar told Trahan. 

As the lunch crowd trickled in, four high school students, recognizing Trahan, told her how much they loved Oscar’s Burritos, and Trahan thanked them for supporting a local business.

Trahan then traveled to Thinking Flower Bakery to meet with owner Divya Suryaprasad, who  received a grant from the EDC for $15,000 and used it to support the design, permitting, and capital investments needed to realize her dream of opening her own bakery.

Suryaprasad converted a long-vacant storefront in the Middlesex Bank Plaza and told Trahan that within the first month of opening, she had so much business that she had to expand her hours to include a new day of service. She has created five jobs, and the business has brought “massive foot traffic into Boxborough’s village center.” 

Suryaprasad was also pleased to tell Trahan that she recently received her liquor license, which will allow her to add more jobs and additional economic activity with afternoon/evening wine service starting this summer.

After the visits, Boxborough News reached out to Trahan, who issued a statement: “These small businesses are a prime example of how local, state, and federal governments can work together to support our local economy. These entrepreneurs saw the opportunities created by Boxborough's Business Improvement Grant Program, which was launched in 2023 and backed by a $125,000 federal investment to help thriving local shops grow even stronger. Nearly three years later, it's clear that support made a real difference. Now, inflation and the high cost of living are creating new headwinds. We shouldn't wait for another crisis to act. I'm committed to making sure small businesses have what they need now to grow and continue serving our communities for years to come.”

When reached for comment late on Thursday, EDC member Rich Guzzardi provided the following statement: “The EDC Small Business Grant program gave the financial boost needed to support these businesses during a challenging time, and in turn, they hired local employees and today serve community patrons with great food, service, and products. It is really satisfying to see the positive impact this program is having.”

Town Planner Wade expressed his gratitude to Trahan’s commitment to bringing ARPA funding to “communities like ours…This support made a real difference and provided direct relief to our small business community. It was a privilege to celebrate Oscar's Burritos and Thinking Flower, two businesses that embody the spirit and creativity that make Boxborough such a special place to live and work.”