Senator Boucher Urges Small Businesses To Explore (Research) New State Grant Program

Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) is urging small business owners to research their eligibility to apply for a new matching grant program recently announced by Governor M. Jodi Rell.

Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded under the new Connecticut Small Business Innovation and Diversification Program to manufacturers seeking to innovate and diversify their operations in the state. The pilot program is open to companies established here or that have operations in the state, have fewer than 500 employees and have ongoing business and sales derived from Connecticut-based activities. Participating companies must match the grants.

The program will be administered through the Small Business Innovation Research Office at Connecticut Innovations (CI) and funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). This pilot program will operate through June 2011, contingent upon the availability of funds.

More information about this program, including eligibility requirements and application deadline, is available at http://www.ctinnovations.com/funding/sbir/sbipd.php. Interested parties may contact Program Director Deb Santy at [email protected] or (860) 257-2893, or Program Manager Merrie London at [email protected] or (860) 257-2894.

As always, I encourage you to call me with your questions or concerns. I can be reached at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421, or via e-mail to [email protected].