HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—The U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has awarded the University of Connecticut School of Business a $2 million grant to operate an advanced manufacturing center.
Connecticut is one of four awardees to receive the five-year federal grant nationally.
"Small companies need help and advice," UConn School of Business Dean John Elliott said, "but they often cannot afford the expensive consultants that often serve this role."
With this grant, a group of organizations will be brought together to help support small manufacturing businesses, Elliott said.
The funding will support recruitment efforts that will focus on minority communities, State Director Joe Ercolano of the CT Small Business Development Center said.
The center will work with the Spanish American Merchants Association, the Black Business Alliance, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Southern Connecticut and other minority organizations, Ercolano said.
Minority firms participating in the MBDA advanced manufacturing center "will receive assessment and advising on advanced manufacturing areas related to process and operational improvement, instituting lean manufacturing standards, cybersecurity protection and other technological needs," Ercolano said.
Participants will also get no-cost general business support and counseling, he said, that will help address the unique challenges minority business owners face.
Manufacturers working with the center will have resources to help grow their business in various ways, he explained, such as learning how to create and retain jobs and how to increase sales while cutting costs.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said this funding will bring something that Connecticut is lacking.
"There are 27 of these minority business development agencies around the country. 27. Not one in Connecticut," Blumenthal said.