Mayor Sebastian Giuliano says Middletown is offering $125,000 in grants to its startups and expanding small businesses.
The funds from a federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block grant for fiscal 2010-2011 will be the first of $625,000 the city intends to make available to small businesses over the next five years, Giuliano said.
Eligible businesses can collect a $1,500 grant to cover such expenses as license fees, rent, phone and utility hookups, and inventory purchases. Income qualification requirements apply to either the entrepreneur of the start-up or the new employees of an expanding small business.
In addition, the city offers its Launching Jobs grant program to help mall businesses train new employees. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for each full-time position.
For more information about both, contact Michiel Wackers, city deputy director of planning, conservation and development at 860-344-3425 or email michiel.wackers@cityofmiddletown.com.
