Chamber of Commerce asks Chelsea council for help launching entrepreneur support program

Jen Hizal, executive director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, used the public comment period to ask the council for help designing a program to support aspiring entrepreneurs who operate at home and may not currently meet city requirements.

Hizal said Manuel Tesh began a program for aspiring entrepreneurs and requested that the council and city staff meet to discuss what a city‑run or council‑supported pathway would look like so that home‑based businesses can come into compliance and eventually open storefronts. "We have a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs at home that are kind of, need help," she said, and asked the council to start a dialogue.

Councilors responded with brief congratulations for the evening’s honorees and no immediate vote on the request; the council suggested staff follow up through committee or direct communications with the Chamber. The comment was closed after the speaker concluded; no formal referral was recorded in the minutes at that moment.