Description
THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS
CT Small Business Development Center
Business advising and planning
Grant writing assistance prior to application submissions, focused on DoAg programs
Supporting farm/food system businesses more broadly by providing access to all appropriate CTSBDC services, including:
Advising in business and product strategy, access to financing, financial management, accessing markets and customers, and other areas as needed
Providing in-depth assistance to those who are more specifically looking for assistance on the market side of their business (i.e. getting into new markets, creating value added products, assisting producers with a marketing strategy, etc.)
Leveraging CTSBDC’s proprietary and licensed business management tools and databases
Assisting clients in strategies to diversify their products and market outlets
Providing access to CTSBDC’s Business Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling and Immigrant Entrepreneur Assistance programs
To get started, complete the CT SBDC intake form.
Carrot Project
Access to capital, grant and loan readiness
1:1 business technical assistance, training and resource to improve business decision-making and strengthen financial positions
To get started, email jcole@thecarrotproject.org
Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust
Supporting BIPOC producers and agricultural organizations who seek holistic technical assistance
To get started, email gaby@nefoclandtrust.org
Agricultural producers or agribusinesses interested in working with any of the above organizations are welcome to contact them directly or reach out to Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov, 860-895-3094.
Elligibility
Agricultural producers or processors, or groups of agricultural producers and processors conducting middle of the supply chain activities;
Nonprofit organizations operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities;
For-profit entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities whose activities are primarily focused for the benefit of local and regional producers and that meet the eligibility requirements of the SBA small business size standards;
Local government entities operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities;
Tribal governments operating middle-of-the-supply-chain activities;
Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals bringing producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment that will benefit multiple producers through middle-of-the-supply-chain activities.
Available Funding
Connecticut has more than $2.1 million available in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain.
Length of Contracts
Varies
Cost-share requirements?
Depends on Program
Required Documentation (prove ownership/lease arrangements)
Contact
Cyrena Thibodeau