By Steven Froias
Special to the NBEDC
For many entrepreneurs, starting and growing a business requires far more than a great idea and hard work. It takes access to resources, guidance, training, funding opportunities, and the right people at the right time. Yet navigating the landscape of available assistance can often feel overwhelming, especially for small business owners who are already juggling countless responsibilities.
In New Bedford, an extensive network of organizations exists to help businesses succeed. Through partnerships coordinated by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC), local entrepreneurs can access everything from social media and marketing training to business planning assistance, loan programs, technical support, and specialized guidance tailored to their unique needs.
But even the strongest network needs a connection point.
That connection often comes in the form of Marianella Perry.
As the NBEDC’s Business Support, Communications, and Special Projects Coordinator, Perry serves as a vital bridge between New Bedford’s business community and the many resources available to help it thrive. Her role combines outreach, relationship-building, problem-solving, and communication—all with a singular focus: helping businesses find the support they need to grow and succeed.
“Many business owners don’t necessarily know where to start,” Perry explains. “There are so many programs, partners, and opportunities available. My goal is to help connect them with the right resource at the right time.”
Whether a new entrepreneur is looking to launch a first venture, an established business is seeking financing for expansion, or a retailer wants assistance improving its digital marketing presence, Perry helps guide them toward the appropriate partner organization. In many cases, she serves as the first point of contact, listening carefully to a business owner’s challenges before identifying the resources best suited to address them.
The work requires a deep understanding of the local business ecosystem and the extensive network of organizations that collaborate with the NBEDC. These partners provide specialized expertise in areas ranging from access to capital and financial planning to workforce development, technology adoption, and marketing. They include, but are not limited to, the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Bristol Community College’s Economic and Workforce Development programs, the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, and others.
Perry’s role ensures those resources don’t remain hidden in brochures or websites but instead reach the entrepreneurs who need them most.
Her efforts also extend beyond one-on-one business assistance. Through communications and outreach, she helps amplify opportunities that can benefit the broader business community. Whether promoting workshops, training sessions, grant opportunities, networking events, or community initiatives, Perry works to ensure that New Bedford’s entrepreneurs stay informed and connected.
That communication role has become increasingly important in an era where business owners are constantly inundated with information. By helping curate and share relevant opportunities, she makes it easier for entrepreneurs to focus on running their businesses while remaining aware of programs that can help them advance.
At the same time, Perry contributes to special projects that strengthen the city’s business climate and foster economic growth. These initiatives often bring together public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community stakeholders, and business leaders in collaborative efforts designed to support entrepreneurship and investment throughout New Bedford.
She’s a regular participant representing the NBEDC at meetings of the Love The Ave Partnership committee, which promotes business and community interests in the North End. And, the New Bedford Ocean Cluster, which brings together the region’s maritime industries. With an eye toward the future, she also works with Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts, which seeks to prepare youth for the economy of tomorrow.
Overall, her work reflects a broader philosophy embraced by the NBEDC: economic development is ultimately about people.
Behind every storefront, restaurant, service provider, manufacturer, and startup are individuals pursuing dreams, creating jobs, and contributing to the vitality of the community. Helping those businesses succeed requires more than programs and funding—it requires trusted relationships.
Those who work with Perry frequently describe her as approachable, responsive, and committed to finding solutions. She understands that every business has a different story and that successful support begins with listening.
As New Bedford continues to attract new investment and entrepreneurial activity, the demand for business support remains strong. Entrepreneurs face evolving challenges, from changing consumer habits and technological advances to workforce needs and financing requirements. Navigating these complexities requires both expertise and guidance.
Fortunately, businesses in New Bedford don’t have to navigate them alone.
Through her work coordinating resources, fostering partnerships, and maintaining strong connections within the business community, the NBEDC’s Marianella Perry helps ensure that local entrepreneurs can access the tools and support necessary to achieve their goals.
In many ways, she serves as the human link connecting New Bedford’s ambitious business owners with the opportunities designed to help them succeed.
And while the programs, workshops, and resources may differ from one business to the next, the mission remains the same: building a stronger, more vibrant small business economy.