SeCTer Awards $145K in Small Business Grants

The Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region is helping nine small businesses through more than $145,000 in grants. 

The grants are part of seCTer’s Rise program, funded through the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The grants are designed to help the businesses expand and stay resilient in the case of unforeseen challenges.

Businesses can apply for grants of up to $20,000.

Half of seCTerRise funding is awarded to minority, veteran, or women-owned businesses, or businesses located in distressed municipalities.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for one of the grants, businesses must meet criteria including:

• Located in Southeastern Connecticut
• In business for at least a year
• Revenues not more than $2 million
• Have an established business checking account
• Good standing with the state Department of Revenue Services
• Registered in Connecticut
• Completed W-9
• Explain in detail how it tracks business transactions
• Submit financial documents
• Owner(s) must be at least 18-years old

The grant recipients, announced July 17, will use the funding for projects including, buying new equipment, expanding into new spaces, growing marketing efforts, adding new products, and upgrading technology.

Grant Recipients

The recipients include:

• Comfort Catering
• Toesty Sheets
• Whisk Together Catering 
• Epicure Brewing
• Flavours of Life
• Fringe Modern & Vintage
• GEM Electrolysis and Esthetics 
• Jessica Tuesdays
• Trade Labels 

So far in 2023, seCTerRise has distributed $222,802 in grants to 13 businesses across the region.