City of Milford to Offer Micro-Enterprise Assistance for Small Business

The City of Milford’s Department of Economic and Community Development has partnered with Connecticut’s Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) to offer a Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program (MEAP).

The program, funded through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is intended to provide small businesses with the tools for expansion and growth in order to create and sustain viable and productive small businesses in Milford.  

To be eligible for assistance under this program, applicants must be a registered, existing commercial enterprise (for at least a year) that employs five (5) or fewer employees, at least one of whom must own the enterprise. The enterprise must have its principal operations located in Milford, and may be organized as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other recognized form of business.  Additional details are located on the City’s website.

To begin the application process, prospective applicants must first register at www.growct.com. Click on the “Request Business Advising” link at the top of the home page and fill in the necessary information. On the sign up page, the applicant will be prompted to fill in “Referral Description.” In this section, the applicant is to write in “City of Milford Micro-Enterprise Program.” CTSBDC staff will meet and review program guidelines and evaluate the appropriateness of this program to the applicants needs. Once this process is completed with the CTSBDC staff, the applicant will complete an application.

All micro-enterprise grant applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of the Director of Community and Economic Development, the Community Development Block Grant Administrator and the Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. “We have partnered with the SBDC on this because they have access to a host of additional programs that are beneficial to business.   If a business is not right for this particular support or we can combine this with other types of assistance through SBDC and/or the State of Connecticut then we are covering all available aspects,” said Julie Nash, Director of Community Development.

Mayor Benjamin Blake commented on the collaboration, stating, “the City of Milford is dedicated to enhancing our current business climate to ensure that there are opportunities for business growth and expansion. The micro-enterprise assistance program is yet another step in the right direction to ensure that Milford remains the place to do business.”  

Please reach out to Julie Nash, Director of Economic and Community Development through email at jnash@ci.milford.ct.us or by phone at 203-783-3230 with any questions. 

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Submitted by Milford, CT

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