More Small Businesses Across Connecticut Receive EXP Grants

HARTFORD — Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced March 9 that four additional small businesses have qualified for grants through the state’s Small Business Express Program (EXP) to expand their businesses and create jobs. EXP was created as a part of the bipartisan jobs bill that was passed during the October Special Session.

“If we’re going to build an economic revival in our state, we need to make sure that small businesses have the resources they need to grow and create jobs,” Gov Malloy said. “Little by little, the Small Business Express program is helping Connecticut companies as they lead us out of the economic downturn and help us turn around 20 years of stagnate job growth.”

In total, EXP will provide $100 million to help the state’s small businesses hire more employees and fund capital investments. The program, administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), offers loans and matching grants to Connecticut companies with fewer than 50 employees.

The four small businesses are:

*Healthy Mom LLC of Cheshire, which makes and markets Maia Yogurt, a probiotic Greek-style yogurt that retails in many local supermarkets, including Big Y, Stew Leonard’s and IGA independents. The company will use a $200,000 loan to market and grow the business.

Healthy Mom plans to hire three full-time and five part-time employees.

“Supporting small businesses, and in particular those producing healthy food choices, serve all the residents and is money well spent,” State Representative Vickie Nardello (D-Bethany, Cheshire, Prospect) said.

*Enfield Printing Company, which provides printing, copying, and graphic design services to businesses in north central Connecticut and western Massachusetts. The company, which recently purchased an 8,500-square-foot building to accommodate the growth, will use its $100,000 matching grant for improvements to the building.

The project will retain four employees and create one position in the next year.

“What great news for Enfield Printing,” State Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) said. “The bipartisan jobs bill puts small businesses first by providing much needed assistance for companies wishing to expand and hire more employees. This announcement is a perfect example of how the policies we create in Hartford can keep and grow jobs right here in North-Central Connecticut. I hope many more jobs grow out of this grant as this small business continues to thrive.”

State Representative Kathleen Tallarita (D-Enfield) added, “Keeping Enfield Printing Company in town and helping them renovate is a perfect example of how the jobs bill we passed last year is working for Connecticut.”

*CPR Training Professionals LLC of South Windsor, which conducts classroom sessions and travels to homes to teach CPR training. The company will use its $100,000 loan in working capital for equipment, marketing, and advertising, as well as other business expenses.

CPR, which has five part-time employees, plans to hire two full-time and three part-time employees as part of the project.

“The owners and managers at CPR Training Professionals are well known and respected in the community and do a great job running their business,” said State Representative Bill Aman (R-South Windsor). “The service they are offering is needed in the town of South Windsor and surrounding communities as more people require CPR training.”

*The New Britain Museum of American Art – which the governor stated is an important contributor to cultural life in the Greater Hartford area — provides art education studios that serve 69 towns, a library and meeting spaces, as well as a three-acre sculpture garden. The museum will receive a $100,000 matching grant to create a new marketing/education position, buy equipment, and acquire an adjacent parking lot to increase the parking capacity.

“The New Britain Museum of American Art is an absolute gem, not only for New Britain but for the entire state, and any investment we can make to bring more people to the museum is a good one,” State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) said.

“I am very pleased Governor Malloy and his administration has seen fit to prioritize the arts,” State Representative Betty Boukus said. “Arts education enhances students’ overall skills, such as math and language, which in turn improves test scores that increase chances of higher education and good jobs in the future.”

State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-New Britain) added, “The New Britain Museum of American Art is one of New Britain’s most popular attractions, and this funding will help bring more visitors to our city. The experts say we see a $9.30 return to the state and local economy for every state dollar invested in culture and tourism.”

For more information on EXP or to apply for the program, visit the Small Business Express Program on the state website, www.ct.gov, or contact Michelle Lugo at DECD at 860-270-8052 or Michelle.Lugo@ct.gov.