12 Middlesex County Businesses Awarded $200,000 to Fuel Growth and Resilience

The latest round brings the total grant funding to $800,000 since 2023

July 8, 2026

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Twelve small businesses across Middlesex County are receiving a boost this year through $200,000 in newly awarded Business Operating Grants from the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission (MCRC). These businesses include a family-run market and deli investing in critical refrigeration infrastructure, a printer upgrading to a higher-capacity envelope machine, and a golf club expanding off-season play with the purchase of simulators and swing cameras.

The grants, funded by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, provide up to $25,000 per business, along with technical assistance, to help owners grow, modernize, and overcome unexpected challenges. Half of this round’s funding went to minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, or disabled-owned businesses.

This is the fourth round of the program since 2023, bringing the total distributed to Middlesex County small businesses to $800,000 across 53 awards. “These grants are about more than dollars — they’re an investment in the businesses that make Middlesex County’s downtowns and neighborhoods thrive. Since 2023, we’ve seen firsthand how even modest funding, paired with hands-on technical assistance, can help a small business expand, hire, or simply weather a tough stretch. We’re proud to keep that momentum going for these twelve businesses and the communities they serve,” said Darlene Briggs, Chair, MCRC.

“As a growing, woman-owned business, this kind of support means everything to us. The timing truly couldn’t be better. We’re planning to put these funds to work right away on a major equipment overhaul that will completely change the game for us. It will finally allow us to catch up, scale our production capacity, and comfortably keep up with the wonderful demand for our products. We are so honored by this investment and can’t wait to keep growing alongside our community,” said Deborah Aceto, owner of Dog and Hen in Cromwell, producer of all-natural pet food and treats.

The 2026 grant recipients are:

Blossom Grove Therapy, Middletown, is a growing woman-owned mental health care services provider focused on the treatment of anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) through in-person and online sessions. The grant will fund strategic marketing initiative and a new website. https://www.blossomgrovetherapy.com/

Brickside Pizza, Essex is a family-owned restaurant celebrating its 10^th anniversary and expanding into a new location. The MCRC grant will fund the purchase of new kitchen equipment to support the growing menu. https://bricksidepizzact.com/

Bun on the Run, Essex, a 30-year-old food business providing breakfast and lunch options to the tri-town community. Constrained by space, the grant will fund investments to allow growth within the existing footprint –  to serve more customers, expand offerings, and operate more efficiently without the cost of a major renovation or relocation. https://bunontherunct.com

Dog and Hen, Cromwell is a woman-owned business redefining industry standards by offering human-grade, single-ingredient, nutrient-dense dog treat options. The MCRC grant will fund the purchase and installation of industrial-grade food dehydrators to increase production capacity and meet demand. https://dogandhen.com/

Fireworks Hearth and Home, Haddam, following the business diversification with Lori’s She-Shed Gifts for All, a home goods and gift shop that helps customers create welcoming living spaces, the MCRC grant will provide capital for a physical expansion, creating more space for additional locally made products, as well as funding for marketing support. https://lorissheshedgifts.com/

Indian Springs Golf Club in Middlefield is a public nine-hole course that features a driving range, putting green, short game practice area, cafe, and bar. Opened in 1964, the MCRC grant supports the club’s plan to purchase and install golf simulators and swing cameras, enabling year-round play and instruction. https://www.indiansprings-golf.com/

LCN-USA, Deep River, is a distributor for premium hand, nail, and foot care cosmetics across the U.S. and its territories, targeting licensed beauty professionals, nail salons, semi-professional designers, and skilled DIY enthusiasts. The grant provides funding for an enhanced e-commerce website and marketing initiatives. https://www.lcnprofessional.com/

Matt’s Handyman Services in Old Saybrook is a veteran-owned small business that serves local residents by taking on small jobs, maintenance, and home repairs that larger contractors often do not accept or charge too much for. The MCRC grant helps fund the purchase of an enclosed utility and cargo trailer, exterior signage, and interior organizational storage. https://mattthehandyman.com/

Studio Paradis, Chester, is a woman-owned, full-service interior design firm specializing in high-end residential and hospitality design. The grant funds will be used to build studio library storage for better client presentations. https://studioparadis.com/

Essex Printing & Events Magazine, Essex, a full-service commercial printing, design, and marketing company, paired with a publishing division that produces community-based Events Magazines across twelve Connecticut shoreline and river valley towns. With the MCRC grant, the business will purchase a new envelope printing machine to increase capacity and efficiency. https://www.essexprinting.com/

Town and Country Market & Deli, Clinton, is a minority-owned, family-operated convenience store offering a warm, welcoming space where neighbors can find a variety of affordable, freshly prepared hot meals that are inclusive of diverse tastes, dietary preferences, and cultural backgrounds, as well as a selection of household goods and everyday necessities. The MCRC grant will fund the replacement of a refrigeration cooling wall system. https://www.facebook.com/townandcountry153

Willowbrook Health Center, Cromwell, women-led, co-op style wellness center founded to provide accessible, integrative healthcare to residents of Central Connecticut. The MCRC grant funds will be used to supplement the business investment to create a thoughtfully curated retail space offering high-quality vitamins, professional-grade supplements, and natural personal care products. https://www.willowbrookhealthct.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.