UConn MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center
The UConn Minority Business Development Advanced Manufacturing Center is a collaboration of multiple organizations in several northeastern states and Puerto Rico. The UConn MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center provides Minority Business Enterprises (MBE’s) with business development and technical assistance services focused on the manufacturing sector. Services are intended to help owners strengthen their understanding of achieving greater business capacity, enabling them to secure and process new sales and make financial investments to driver higher productivity, greater efficiency and the ability to access new markets leading to greater profitability and further investment in growth.
Technical assistance and business development services are provided through operational partners – CONNSTEP, Maine MEP and PRiMEX.
The UConn MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center is operated by the Connecticut Small Business Development Center. Funding for the MBDA AMC is provided by the Minority Business Development Agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Priority Activities
- Recruitment of minority-owned firms
- Preliminary Assessment
- Referral of Clients to Advanced Manufacturing Resources
- Development of contract and finance opportunities
- Direct matching of opportunities with qualified clients
- Relationship management and deal sourcing initiatives
- Facilitating MBE growth through exports
- Identifying, matching and securing alternative sources of capital and financing
- Educating MBEs on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives
- MBE advocacy
CONNSTEP is one of Connecticut’s leading business consulting firms and an affiliate of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). Their mission is to help Connecticut small and medium-sized manufacturers and other businesses reach their goals by strengthening their strategic, technical and operation expertise, thereby supporting the growth of Connecticut’s economy. Service areas include expertise in business growth, continuous improvement and learning strategies, quality management and certifications, cybersecurity and compliance, technology and industry 40.0 and training courses.
MAINE Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) mission is to facilitate economic development in Maine by providing services to Maine’s manufacturer, helping them become more efficient, productive, profitable and globally competitive. Supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the state of Maine to help small and medium-sized manufacturers identify and implement advanced manufacturing technologies. Services include addressing workforce challenges, innovation and integration, leveling up, improving efficiency and growing profits.
PRiMEX Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension, Inc is focused on increasing the competitiveness of PR’s industrial base by bridging the productivity gap for companies, identifying opportunities for growth and encouraging technology deployment. PRiMEX is a private non-profit organization and initiative of Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company and Manufacturing Extension Program under the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Service areas include operational excellence, business development, growth and innovation.