Wethersfield Offset Receives More Than $55,000 Grant From State

A Rocky Hill commercial printing service company is receiving assistance through the state’s Small Business Express Program.

, Inc. will receive "a grant matching the company’s investment of $55,721 for the purchase of new machinery and equipment," according to the release from the governor's office Thursday. The grant will also allow the business to hire two new employees.

According to owner Joe Amaio, the company was issued the funding in February and received the money about six weeks ago. He has not received the equipment he requested, but It is scheduled to arrive with in two weeks. The new machine will require five to seven days of training.

In November, Amaio started researching a new computer to plate machine because his device was 11 years old, which is six years over its life expectancy, and was costing him between $1,400 to $1,500 a month in electricity and chemicals.

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A computer to plate machine is used by printing companies as a way to electronically put images on brochures, pamphlets and other printed materials. Amaio said the new machines produce better quality pictures and images with less steps and fewer hours of production.

In January, after biding on a new machine, a sales man from a rival supplier told him about the Small Business Express Program. The program is designed to help small businesses grow and create jobs. It was also one of the items in the jobs bill that was passed in special session last year.

After doing some research, Amaio noticed that the state was promoting the program heavily and was fearful that it could lose the funding from federal government if companies did not take advantage of it.

It took three and a half weeks to fill out the paperwork for the grant, Amaio said.

"It was not a simple process," he said. However, the new machine will be more environmentally friendly, reduce monthly costs and basically, "pay for itself," according to Amaio.

"There is nothing but, good stuff I can say about it," he said about the Small Business Express Program. Amaio added that the new machine will cost less to run than his current one and be more affordable than the grant for the state.

State Sen. Rep. Tony Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill) said the grant shows the state is "committed to small business."

“When we provide businesses with the tools they need to grow, we boost employment and build the local economy," he said in the release Thursday.

State Sen. Paul Doyle (D-Rocky Hill) said the grant for Wethersfield Offset, Inc. "sends the message to small business owners in Connecticut that we (legislature) have your back."

“The best way to jump start the economy is to continue investing in small businesses and growing jobs," he said in the release. "This grant to Wethersfield Offset in Rocky Hill is further proof that the Small Business Express grant is doing exactly what we intended it to do – create jobs and strengthen local economies.”

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said small businesses in Connecticut are "investing, innovating, and finding ways to grow," in a release Thursday.

"Whether that means upgrading to equipment that will run more efficiently, expanding their technical capabilities, developing better products, or reaching out to new customers, these companies are a potent force for job growth in our state," he said.

Enermore, LLC. of Rocky Hill in May. In June, and will be receiving a matching grant of $100,000 from the program.

For more information on Small Business Express Program, please the state's website or contact Michelle Lugo at DECD at 860-270-8052 or Michelle.Lugo@ct.gov.

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