16 Middlesex Businesses Receive Growth-Focused Grant Funding

The MCRC Business Operating Grants add $200,000 to the Local Economy

July 16, 2024

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — A diverse group of small businesses from across Middlesex County will be able to grow and remain resilient in the face of unforeseen challenges with the help of $200,000 recently awarded through the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission Business Operating Grants.

This most recent distribution to sixteen businesses follows the initial round in 2023 when $200,00 of grant funding was provided to fifteen Middlesex County businesses, for a total of $400,000 distributed in the first two years of the grant program. The program, funded through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, offers grants of up to $25,000 and technical assistance to qualified small businesses in Middlesex County, Connecticut, with fifty percent of the funding provided to minority, women, veteran, or disabled-owned businesses.

“We are so pleased to be able to extend the opportunity for our County’s small businesses to benefit from a Business Operating Grant,“ said MCRC Chair Ryan Curley, First Selectman in Portland, “Our communities are built and sustained by small businesses, and these grants are designed to provide a boost to business owners, making a real impact on their business, its growth, and overall profitability.”

The 2024 grant recipients are:

Beauty Addict, Middletown, a growing esthetician practice offering face and body treatments.  The grant funding will be used to purchase and implement an electronic health records database required following the recent addition of a board-certified dermatologist to the practice.  https://www.beautyaddictllc.com/

Bergen House, Middletown, is a popular veteran-owned taproom and mead manufacturing facility that prides itself on being a strong community partner and paying a living wage to all employees.  The grant funding will be used to purchase additional brewing equipment to expand capacity and production efficiency.  https://www.bergenhousect.com/

deMelis Atelier, Haddam, a bridal alterations studio serving clients both locally and throughout the greater northeast, specializing in bridal and formal alterations as well as vintage gown remodeling, and accessory design and customization. The grant funding will assist the studio in developing a new website to increase lead generation and provide education on topics related to the fashion market. https://demelisatelier.com/

Foodworks Natural Market, Old Saybrook, an independently owned and operated natural foods store providing the Old Saybrook community with an outstanding selection of local, organic, and natural products.  The grant funding will contribute to the purchase and implementation of a new point of sale (POS) system for better inventory management and check-out efficiencies.  https://www.foodworksnaturalmarket.com/

Hometown Garage, Portland, a small, family-owned general automotive repair shop providing customers with honesty and quality vehicle repairs and maintenance. The grant funding will purchase a new A/C servicing unit, allowing the garage to service cars with more modern air conditioning systems.  https://hometowngarageportland.com/

Into the Woods, Haddam, is a unique retail shop selling rocks, minerals, and fossils with a goal of promoting curiosity about all things nature through education and fascination. The grant funding will contribute to the salary of a part-time staff member to assist with the further development of the store’s website and social media advertising. https://www.intothewoodsstore.com/php/welcome.php

Moodus Mud Coffee Roasters, East Haddam, is an artisan small batch specialty coffee roastery using age-old practices combined with new technology to bring you the best possible cup of coffee. The grant funding will contribute to the purchase of coffee brewing equipment for their new roastery and café.  https://www.moodusmud.com/

Myrcene Ale Company, Old Saybrook, a craft brewery that believes in making good beer and treating people right.  The grant funding will aid the owners in purchasing new brewing equipment to increase capacity and production efficiency. https://www.myrceneale.com/

Olson Backman, Portland, is a woman-owned full-service interior design firm specializing in the fabrication and installation of custom window treatments and window film for both the residential and commercial markets.  The grant funding will be used for infrastructure development and staff training. https://olsonbackman.com/

River Ridge Farm, Portland, is a four-season fruit, vegetable, and cut flower farm with an associated market that adheres to no-till, organic practices on all 15 acres, where they grow over 200 varietals of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The grant funding will be used to repair and replace greenhouse infrastructure.  https://www.riverridgefarmandmarket.com/

Sound View Plastics, Deep River a small custom injection molding manufacturing company, started in 2018 to serve customers in the Eastern half of the United States.  The grant funding will be used toward the purchase of a new injection molding machine, allowing for more efficient production.  https://soundviewplastics.com/

Team Fitness, East Hampton, is a woman-owned, independent, community gym that offers small group classes, personal training, and a variety of equipment for various fitness goals. The grant funding will be used toward the purchase of new fitness equipment to maintain state-of-the-art options for its members. https://www.teamfitnessctgym.com/

Tina Perma Beauty Spa, Old Saybrook, is a spa providing individualized services, such as manicures, pedicures, lash extensions, lip tattooing, waxing, eyebrow micro-blading, and micro-shading.  The grant funding will assist with the purchase of an FDA-approved pigmentation removal device, which will expand the customer base and help the spa to increase market share. https://tinapermabeautyspa.com/

TownieSwag, Killingworth, is a woman-owned producer of handcrafted products and gift items, including pillows, tea towels, bottle bags, totes, and more, each designed to evoke the essence of your hometown. The grant funding will help purchase a new printer to reduce production time, cost of goods sold, and waste.  https://townieswag.com/

Valli Construction, Portland, is a veteran-owned construction firm specializing in comprehensive site work solutions for both residential and commercial customers. The grant funding will contribute to the construction costs of the office expansion and modernization. https://www.valliconstructionct.com/

Walt Jedziniak Photography, East Hampton, a home-based portrait studio specializing in portraits, in studio and on location, for high school seniors, families, business headshots, branding, pets, maternity, modeling portfolios, and boudoir, that takes pride in creating custom, unique experiences for their clients. The grant funding will provide resources for additional web and social media marketing to create qualified leads. https://www.waljedphoto.com/

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About the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission

The Middlesex County Revitalization Commission was created by a special act of the CT General Assembly in 1993, with a mission to encourage and stimulate economic development in Middlesex County by providing low-interest loans and/or matching grants to small and mid-sized businesses in the region. The members of the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission (MCRC) are the chief executive official, or a designee, from each of the fifteen towns in Middlesex County, plus a representative from the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. Visit https://mxcrc.org  for more information.