Bridgeport, CT – The City of Bridgeport’s Small & Minority Business Enterprise (SMBE) Office has officially partnered with HEDCO, Inc., a trusted organization in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, to foster business growth through education, mentoring, and business development while significantly enhancing support for local entrepreneurs, with a focus on minority-owned and women-owned enterprises. 

This strategic collaboration will make HEDCO’s resources directly accessible to Bridgeport’s small business community. As part of the partnership, HEDCO’s Community Engagement Specialist, Ray da Rosa, will be available onsite at the SMBE Office, located at the Margaret E. Morton Center at 999 Broad Street, every Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, to provide hands-on guidance, one-on-one consultations, and streamlined referrals to HEDCO’s extensive network of support services. 

The partnership will also expand vital support for minority contractors, including increased access to funding opportunities, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs tailored to their specific needs. These expanded services will empower contractors to grow their businesses, create jobs, and successfully compete for larger contracts. 

“This partnership is a significant step toward realizing our vision of equitable access to business support in Bridgeport,” said Kadie Ortiz, Special Projects Coordinator for The SMBE Office. “By embedding HEDCO’s expertise within the SMBE Office, we are creating a more seamless and supportive ecosystem for our small business owners to thrive.”

Kim Hawkins, CEO of HEDCO, Inc. stated, “At HEDCO, we believe in meeting business owners where they are. Our presence in Bridgeport is more than just a resource—it’s a commitment to helping local entrepreneurs unlock their full potential and build lasting success.” 

For more information about this partnership and the services available, please visit www.bridgeportct.gov/businesses or contact Katherine Ortiz, Special Projects Coordinator, at 203-576-8473 and Katherine.Ortiz@bridgeportct.gov or Ray da Rosa, Community Engagement Specialist for HEDCO, Inc. at 860-527-1301 ext. 243 and rayd@hedcoinc.com.