$2 Million Minority Business Grant Awarded To UConn/State Program

CONNECTICUT — A partnership between state government and the University of Connecticut is one of four programs to receive a federal Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center Grant.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and the UConn School of Business made the announcement Wednesday. The five-year, $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency is designed to operate a national MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Participating businesses will work with the UConn School of Business and "other technical assistance partners" to access advanced manufacturing and general business assistance "to meet challenges and seize opportunities," Lamont said.

"Connecticut is proud to have so many diverse manufacturers who can be further supported through this grant," the governor added. "The expert guidance we will be providing these manufacturers will give them opportunities to expand their businesses into new markets or refine current operations to run more efficiently."

Connecticut is "poised for further success in our advanced manufacturing fields with this $2 million grant to operate a Minority Business Development Agency Advanced Manufacturing Center,”Bysiewicz said.

Blumenthal said it's been "far too long" fr the state to be without an MBDA center.

In addition to the UConn School of Business, key partners include ing the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, CONNSTEP, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

The MBDA is the only federal agency dedicated solely to supporting minority businesses. The MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center will connect minority-owned manufacturers with experienced professionals to help them refine their business strategy and operations, assist with financial analysis, and connect them with Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers for deeper analysis of which advanced manufacturing services would be appropriate for that business.

"Supporting Connecticut minority-owned manufacturers, through technical assistance provided by the grant partners, as well as UConn through programs such as the Technology Incubation Program, is critical to their success," UConn School of Business Dean John Elliott said. "The MBDA grant will give us an opportunity to increase assistance in a variety of areas to these businesses."

Elliott said manufacturers working with the center will have access to assets and resources which can help them cut costs, increase sales, and create and retain jobs. It will also intentionally address the unique challenges these business owners face and work to provide personalized assistance.

The MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center is supported by a number of partners throughout the Northeast United States and Puerto Rico that include CONNSTEP, PRIMEX, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

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Businesses interested in participating in this program can contact the Connecticut Small Business Development Center at ctsbdc@uconn.edu or 877-723-2828.