State Grants Available to Small Manufacturers in CT

01.01.2015
Small Business

For tech help, planning, or modernization projects

On December 8, Gov. Malloy announced a $3.5 million matching grant voucher program as part of the new Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund (CMIF). The $30 million CMIF was approved during the last legislative session to support the growth of Connecticut manufacturers and create jobs.

“Over the next few years, Connecticut’s small manufacturers are going to be asked to increase their production to meet the needs of larger companies,” says the governor. “With this new program we’ve created a tool that will assist them with purchases of new equipment [and] jumpstart research and development activities as well as training.”

The CMIF Voucher Program (MVP) is funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development and administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology.

Eligibility and Uses of Funding

The CMIF targets aerospace, medical device, composite materials, and digital manufacturing as well as other opportunities to innovate commercial products and services and help drive industry enhancement in, or development of, products or services designed to strengthen the competitive position of Connecticut manufacturers.

In addition, because workforce development is one of the most pressing issues facing the state’s manufacturers, CMIF funding can be directed to short-term training issues and longer-term educational improvements.

The MVP provides matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for manufacturers with no more than 300 employees that are located in Connecticut or moving operations into the state.

Eligible uses of MVP funding include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Accessing technical experts in universities
  • Accessing experts in strategic and tactical planning that can help a business design its expansion or innovation
  • Accessing specialized expertise to solve engineering, marketing, and other challenges in manufacturing processes
  • Furthering the development of tooling and/or modernization of manufacturing equipment
  • Supporting advancements in manufacturing to meet an anticipated demand for appropriately skilled and trained workers
  • Assisting with compliance and monitoring activities
  • Accessing education and training

The CMIF can also be used to obtain matching federal grants or otherwise leverage federal grant funds. Another key component of the fund will give priority to companies located in Manufacturing Innovation Districts: 42 communities in Connecticut that are historic manufacturing hubs. This provision is expected to boost local economic development and reduce unemployment in some of Connecticut’s most distressed communities.

Companies interested in the matching grant voucher program can apply at here.

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