WBDC Among SBA Award Winners

05.09.2022
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The Women’s Business Development Council was named the women’s business center of excellence by U.S. Small Business Administration’s Connecticut office.

The WBDC’s central Connecticut office and nine other Connecticut companies were recognized as part of National Small Business Week.

“It is important to recognize these outstanding entrepreneurs in Connecticut as they are job creators, innovators, and the fabric of our local communities,” SBA district director Catherine Marx said.

“National small business week is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge their triumphs.”

‘Solution-Oriented Resource

WBDC provides training, education, and consulting for entrepreneurs at every level.

In 2021, WBDC served over 600 clients and aided in accessing more than $647,000 in capital.

Since 2008, the company has served more than 3,100 clients.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro—who nominated WBDC for the award—said the company is “proving its worth as an innovative, solution-oriented resource that only serves to make central Connecticut a better place for businesses to thrive.”

Resiliency

Mike Vlacich, SBA New England regional administrator, said the awardees “demonstrate the resiliency and tenacity of entrepreneurs across Connecticut and our nation.”

“They have proven their staying power, they create jobs, have shown response to adversity during unimaginable setbacks and they give back to their communities through their businesses and on their own time,” he said.

In recent months, WBDC’s regional office has partnered with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood to support and create more than 520 childcare centers across the region to help combat the state’s labor shortage.

DeLauro said she was “extremely inspired” by the partnership, highlighting the “over 2,400 hours of training and counseling, with 72 of these clients receiving 110 cash and technology grants totaling more than $930,000.”

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