Six months following the abrupt closure of the Entrepreneurial and Women’s Business Center at the University of Hartford, the program is set to relaunch under new management and in a different Hartford location.

Catherine Marx, from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Connecticut District, revealed on Tuesday that the Women’s Business Development Council had secured a three-year grant totalling $150,000 annually to operate the Women’s Business Center. Additionally, the state will provide a matching grant, Marx mentioned.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Marx stated, “I am thrilled to see this grant reinstated in our capital city. Women entrepreneurs and small business owners deserve top-notch services and programs.”

Marx is confident that the Women’s Business Development Council will deliver excellence in services and programs, given its leadership and track record of operating three other successful business centers for women across the state.

Fran Pastore, CEO of the Women’s Business Development Center, echoed Marx’s sentiments, expressing delight at establishing a physical presence in Hartford. Pastore emphasized the importance of connecting with women-owned businesses in and around the city, citing unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs in large urban centers.

With offices already established in Stamford, New Haven, New London, and Waterbury, the addition of a Hartford location positions the WBDC strategically to address the disparities faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly women of color, in Connecticut’s major cities.

Pastore highlighted the WBDC’s commitment to leveraging existing public/private partnerships to provide comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs in Hartford.

The WBDC’s services will include one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring on various business development topics such as startups, financial management, marketing, and procurement.

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