Governor Rell Announces New Program to

Assist State’s High-Tech Manufacturers

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced a new effort called the Connecticut Small Business Innovation and Diversification Program to help Connecticut’s small businesses develop, produce and commercialize exciting new products.

            “There is a real need to provide matching grants to companies with manufacturing capabilities in Connecticut with tremendous opportunity for growth,” Governor Rell. “This program will help us expand our economy and create jobs by supporting more manufacturing and delivery of products and services.”

            The program will make $250,000 available for strategic grants to manufacturers seeking to innovate and diversify their operations in the state.  The pilot program is open to companies established here or that have operations in the state, have fewer than 500 employees and have ongoing business and sales derived from Connecticut-based activities. Participating companies must match the grants.

            The program will be administered through the Small Business Innovation Research Office at Connecticut Innovations (CI) and funded by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

            Economic development officials say the $250,000 will be awarded in grants of up to $25,000 and will operate until June 2011 or until all the grant money has been spent.

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