For Additional Information

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Contact: Kim B. Hawkins

February 19, 2009                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Director, Business Resource Center

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Telephone: (860) 527-1100

PRESS RELEASE

$350,000 GRANT FROM HARTFORD FOUNDATION

TO AID SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENUERS

A $350,000 grant has been awarded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to the Business Resource Center at the Hartford Economic Development Corporation to expand services to small businesses in Hartford and 57 surrounding communities.

The three-year grant will allow the Business Resource Center to offer training to companies run by people of color or women so they are better equipped to compete for jobs in the construction industry, with a focus on public sector jobs.  Over the three years of the grant the center anticipates providing services to more than 650 entrepreneurs.

“We are very pleased to receive this support from the Hartford Foundation, which will enhance the center’s ability to assist business owners in their planning and knowledge of all aspects of the technical and administrative requirements to develop and grow a successful business,” said Kim Hawkins, Director of the Business Resource Center.  “This is especially important to our clients in the construction industry as several key Hartford projects come on line.”

Working with the center, 50 contractors have secured contracts with the Hartford Board of Education and 35 contractors are currently bidding on projects for the Metropolitan District Commission.

The Business Resource Center was established in 2004 as a one-stop agency to provide technical assistance, training, incubator space, and back office assistance for small businesses start ups and emerging enterprises.  It focuses on assisting contractors to develop better business practices and become competitive, particularly in bidding on construction contracts.  Its services are offered at no charge at locations in Hartford.

The center is located at 15 Lewis Street.  The Minority Construction Council collaborates with the Business Resource Center and is located in the facility on Lewis Street.

The Hartford Foundation awarded a $350,000 grant to the center in 2005.