Last week, the University of Connecticut School of Business became one of just four programs in the U.S. to receive a $2 million grant for the development and operation of an advanced manufacturing center, according to a press release.
Interim President Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other UConn administrators formally announced the grant at the Graduate Business Learning Center in Hartford.
The five-year grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. The MBDA is a federal agency working to increase the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned business enterprises.
“This is an exciting collaboration between partners and stakeholders in several states and Puerto Rico,” Agwunobi said. “The project’s purpose is to provide technical, business development and manufacturing assistance to minority-owned businesses … to help them expand their capacity to grow and operate efficiently.”
Aside from Connecticut, advanced manufacturing centers can also be found in Arizona, Maryland, Texas, Kentucky, Florida and Washington D.C.
“We are excited to be part of an initiative that supports such an important objective for our state and region’s economy,” Agwunobi said. “This is one of only four such grants being awarded nationwide, so it represents a significant opportunity for Connecticut to demonstrate leadership in the 21st century economy.”
