Entrepreneurial & Women's Business Center Awarded $180,000

The Entrepreneurial & Women’s Business Center (EWBC) was awarded a new grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for $30,000. This grant is part of the DECD’s statewide effort to improve small business access to loans, particularly for businesses in distressed municipalities and those led by women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people of color. The EWBC will use the funds to provide in-depth support to businesses that need help during the loan application process. The EWBC also received a renewed grant for $150,000 from the U.S. Small Business Association. The grant applications were spearheaded by Lacey Banks McGill, Women’s Business Center program manager, and Jim Lofink, interim director.

The EWBC helps women, people of color, and underserved communities achieve economic prosperity by providing the guidance and resources they need to start and grow small businesses through personalized business advising, educational programs, in-depth technical assistance, and networking events. Many of their programs provide University of Hartford business students with real-world experience by connecting them with local business owners to work on specific projects.

“The EWBC works persistently to offer the hands-on technical support our community needs to help start and grow their small enterprises," says Lacey Banks McGill, Women’s Business Center program manager. “Grants help our team continue to offer much needed services which help contribute to the overall economic and community growth of our region. We are thankful for the assistance from partners – which allows us to expand our reach.” 

The University of Hartford’s Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) assists principal investigators with securing and managing grants, subawards, and contracts. For more information, or for assistance with a grant or contract, please contact OSP at ospgrants@hartford.edu or visit our website.