Bridgeport Announces New Small Business Partnership

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The City of Bridgeport’s Small & Minority Business Enterprise (SMBE) Office has launched a partnership with HEDCO, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides support to small businesses and entrepreneurs, with a focus on expanding resources for minority- and women-owned enterprises.

The collaboration aims to enhance business growth through education, mentoring, and development services. As part of the agreement, HEDCO’s Community Engagement Specialist, Ray da Rosa, will be available weekly at the SMBE Office inside the Margaret E. Morton Government Center to offer consultations and connect entrepreneurs to support programs. He will be on site Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Officials say the initiative will provide minority contractors with improved access to funding, technical assistance, and training programs intended to help them scale their businesses and compete for larger contracts.

“This partnership is a significant step toward realizing our vision of equitable access to business support in Bridgeport,” said Kadie Ortiz, Special Projects Coordinator for the SMBE Office.

HEDCO CEO Kim Hawkins said the group is committed to meeting business owners “where they are” and helping them build long-term success.

For more information about this partnership and the services available, visit www.bridgeportct.gov/businesses or contact Katherine Ortiz, Special Projects Coordinator, at 203-576-8473, or via email atKatherine.Ortiz@bridgeportct.gov; or Ray da Rosa, Community Engagement Specialist for HEDCO, Inc. at 860-527-1301 ext. 24, or at rayd@hedcoinc.com.