NAUGATUCK, CT — A Naugatuck farm was among three Connecticut women-owned businesses to receive a $25,000 grant from the Women's Business Development Council during a recent event.
According to a news release provided by the organization, WBDC welcomed a sold-out crowd to its 12th Women-Owned Business Day on April 8 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
The annual event continues to serve as WBDC's signature celebration of the achievements of women-owned businesses while creating space for connection, visibility and important conversations around the opportunities and challenges facing Connecticut's small business owners, according to WBDC.
The event also featured WBDC's fourth Accelerate Grant Pitch Competition, in which six Connecticut women-owned businesses competed for three $25,000 grants.
According to WBDC, the grant recipients are:
According to the release, the pitch competition was a featured part of the event, with six finalists taking the stage to share how funding would help them grow their businesses, expand operations and increase capacity.
The three winners were selected following live presentations during a morning that celebrated entrepreneurship, civic engagement and the impact of women-owned businesses across Connecticut, according to the release.
Women-Owned Business Day brought together a well-attended audience of women entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers, advocates and supporters from across the state, according to WBDC.
Among a number of distinguished business and civic leaders, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal joined attendees in Hartford and spoke in support of women entrepreneurs and the vital role small businesses play in Connecticut's economy, according to the release.
"We were thrilled to welcome another incredible turnout for this year's Women-Owned Business Day and to celebrate six remarkable women entrepreneurs as they showcased the passion, perseverance and hard work behind their businesses," WBDC CEO Fran Pastore said in a news release. "Congratulations to Hound and Home, Norwich Fitness Center and Sunset Farm on receiving these grants. Their vision and commitment to growth embody the strength, resilience and innovation of women-owned businesses across Connecticut."
Women-Owned Business Day is WBDC's signature annual event, bringing together women entrepreneurs, legislators, community leaders and advocates from across Connecticut for a morning of recognition, connection and civic engagement, the release notes.
This year's event was hosted with legislative co-chairs State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, Deputy President Pro Tempore, and State Senator Heather Somers, Senior Deputy Republican Leader. Gilda Bonanno, Principal of Gilda Bonanno LLC, served as emcee, according to the release.
More information is available at ctwbdc.org.
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