FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Eric G. Castater, 203.385.4001

Mayor Miron Announces Partnership with Community Economic Development Fund

Stratford, Conn. (May 12, 2009) – At a press conference today in Council Chambers at Town Hall, Mayor James R. Miron announced a partnership between the Town of Stratford and the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF), a non-profit organization that provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with financing, training and technological support.

The CEDF is a statewide organization based out of Meriden, CT. Since their formation in 1994, the Fund has provided millions of dollars in loans to small businesses, created and retained hundreds of jobs for the state's residents, and funded numerous community planning efforts. The CEDF is currently active in over 50 Connecticut communities. 63 percent of all their outstanding loans have been to women and minorities.

CEDF provides educational training classes to new businesses on subjects such as registrations, business planning, budgeting and general bookkeeping.

Stratford currently has over 2,700 small businesses, many of which are now eligible to receive financing, training and support from CEDF.

“As Mayor, I am always looking for opportunities to create partnerships between Town government and the business community,” said Mayor Miron. “In these difficult economic times, credit markets are tight. The Community Economic Development Fund is another tool available to provide Stratford’s entrepreneurs and small businesses with the financing and assistance necessary to grow.”