New Haven entrepreneurs and small businesses can benefit from an $8.7 million grant program aimed at helping them grow.
The funding is available through the New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3).
On Monday, Mayor Justin Elicker joined leaders from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (CFGNH) and the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to celebrate the program’s launch.
The CFGNH received $7.2 million from the DECD last fall. The program got an additional influx of $1.5 million from the city of New Haven via American Rescue Plan dollars.
Businesses have already begun receiving grant money through the program.
The goal, officials said, is to support the city’s small businesses, create jobs and boost economic independence.
“In New Haven, we’re committed to inclusive economic growth and helping to provide our local entrepreneurs and small businesses – particularly those who have been historically marginalized in our economy – with the tools they need to be successful and thrive,” Elicker said.
Those tools include access to capital, training, technical assistance, and support through mentorship and networking, according to Elicker.
Over the next five years, NHE3 plans to award 750 grants, which will average $6,000 each.
The grants are for all small businesses, and officials encouraged minority and women-owned business owners to apply.
Alisha Crutchfield, owner of BLOOM, a Westville business offering flowers, gifts, coffee and more, is among the grant recipients.
“With this grant, I’ll be able to expand my growing business and hire experienced team members,” she said. “I’ll also hire inexperienced team members and properly train them so they can contribute to society in innovative ways and take care of their families.”
For more information, visit e3connector.com.
