Members of the state’s federal delegation today issued a news release about a grant for the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council that is expected to open an office at the redeveloped 333 State Street Downtown. See more about 333 State Street here. News release below:
(Washington, DC) – Today, Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), and Congressman Jim Himes (D-Conn.) announced $100,000 in federal funding for the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC). The funding will be used to establish a GNEMSDC satellite location in Bridgeport, Conn., which will focus on providing business consulting and deal-making services to Native American and Alaska Native Business Enterprises throughout the country. This grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, an organization that works to promote the growth and competitiveness of minority business enterprises.
“This new location in Bridgeport will give minority business owners and entrepreneurs in Connecticut and across the country increased access to the valuable resources that are desperately needed in these difficult economic times,” said Lieberman. “With this funding, our small businesses, the backbone of our economy, will have more of the tools they need to compete and succeed.”
“This grant will create a new business development center in Bridgeport that will help local minority business owners grow jobs and expand their businesses,” said Blumenthal. “Providing minority businesses with useful information, global market opportunities, and alternative sources of capital are essential to Connecticut’s economic growth. I applaud the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council for its long-standing commitment to economic development in Connecticut, and the entire region.”
“For nearly four decades, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council has worked to create opportunity for their members and have done so with great success,” DeLauro said. “The Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is an invaluable resource in our region and their efforts to nurture and encourage business throughout the minority community have helped local business owners achieve their goals and realize their dreams. The federal dollars being invested will allow the organization to expand their role in Connecticut and across the country. I look forward to seeing the results of this grant.”
“When more businesses succeed, we all benefit, and today’s funding means increased opportunity to many business owners who have been passed over too many times before,” said Himes. “This new location will provide invaluable resources to minority business owners in Bridgeport and beyond, and I look forward to working with local businesses to connect them to these opportunities.”
Lennie,
I think someone famous once said, “I only know what I read in the papers” and today that might include news releases from the Federal government posted on OIB. So does anyone else question the granting of $100,000 to a Minority Business Enterprise entity in Bridgeport CT intended to assist Native American and Alaska Native business enterprises throughout the country?
I guess my geographic knowledge may be off a bit but wouldn’t Las Vegas, NV or Fairbanks, AK be better locations? How many votes are available for our mighty Senatorial and Congressional delegations from this specific action? Calling to mind the spirit of Senator William Proxmire: Is this possibly one of the sillier Federal grants, providing all due respect to the GNEMSDC satellite to be located here, that might qualify for an award of note? Perhaps they intend to fly out of Sikorsky Airport? Or perhaps there are some Alaskan ferries that are required to use Native Alaskan employees in rehab and a new work order for the former Derecktor docks is forthcoming? Possibly the Native American contingent active in CT casino industry need assistance, but why not locate the office in Norwich? Maybe one of you has a better idea to provide me with some peace of mind.
By the way, when the City or any entity gets a financial grant, especially when it is ultimately provided by the taxpayer dollar, should there be a measurable expectation from the expenditure? What is the point of this $100,000? Should the amount available to a program (call it an investment) have a positive return in a specific time period for the beneficiary populations? What might that be in this case? Is there a more efficient method to deliver the result at less expense? Or is it another form of QE (quantitative easing) where some get the taxpayer re-distributed dollar of today (or borrowings that must be repaid at a future date)? What do you know? Time will tell.
How? There is no place like Nome! Although you can buy some Eskimo Pies at Dairy Farms on State Street.
“They sure don’t look like Indians to me!”–Donald Trump.
I don’t know why the release said they would be focusing on Native American businesses, when in reality they offer support for any “minority”-owned business.
Actually conceptually it makes sense because there are many businesses in Bridgeport that will benefit greatly from the knowledge and support of the GNEMSDC. In addition, they are coming downtown (albeit the end of downtown) which adds life and vibrancy. Most importantly though, any time state and/or federal money comes into Bridgeport for something positive, it’s a GOOD thing.
“Most importantly though, any time state and/or federal money comes into Bridgeport for something positive, it’s a GOOD thing.”
Brick, you seem to know more about GNEMSDC so I defer to your opinion it represents “something positive.” However, if you read my comments as closely as I did yours, you will note I was looking for some criteria as to what will be produced, in what time period, etc. for the amount spent. The “government grant funds” come from unbalanced budgets at those government levels. That means they have been borrowed currently and must be repaid in the future. How does that balance with your statement, “it’s a GOOD thing”?
Yesterday you overstated the fiscal burden in the City of Bridgeport that falls on property taxpayers regarding Bridgeport public schools. As a younger person i.e. longer-term taxpayer with more years left to reach into your pocket, why does government financing look like such a GOOD thing? Time will tell.
The grant is coming to Bridgeport and not Stamford or Fairfield. That aspect is good.
The organization simply helps minority businesses (usually small businesses) submit responses to RFP’s, apply for grants, find qualified workers, etc. They are a nonprofit, non-governmental organization and the payback is they will help to make Bridgeport businesses more competitive which makes them more economically viable and sustainable.
What I like is they are relocating from Hamden to Bridgeport which will increase their exposure to local companies.
Thanks for adding information about their move from Hamden. Relocation to Bridgeport would seem more in line with their overall mission and the density of minority businesses in the State’s largest city makes sense in that regard.
Still hoping someone will clarify the focus on Native American and Alaska Native Businesses referenced in the original article. Time will tell.
*** Eskimo canoe skins and sea lion whiskers are just a few of many arts & crafts that can be sold in native American businesses like a Pier 1 store, no? ***