WBDC media contact: Eve McGrath
For Immediate Release
646-258-0026, eve@gmcgrathpr.com
WCSU media contact: Robin Provey or Paul Steinmetz, Office of University Relations
P (203) 837-8486 F (203) 837-8530
proveyr@wcsu.edu or steinmetzp@wcsu.edu
Women’s Business Development Council and Western Connecticut
State University Hosted Ribbon Cutting Celebrating
New Office in Danbury to Provide Entrepreneurial Training
Danbury (April 27, 2016): On April 25th, 2016, the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), of Connecticut, and Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) Ancell School of Business officially opened the WBDC Danbury office on the WCSU West Side Campus at 43 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury.
The event was attended by Mark D. Boughton, Mayor of Danbury, Dr. John Clark, President of WCSU, Dr. David Martin, Dean of the Ancell School of Business and Fran Pastore, president and CEO of WBDC. Dr. Clark stated, “We are very excited about this new partnership between our University and WBDC. The inter-relationship between government, business and higher education is coming together with projects like this. If we are going to move the economy forward, if we are going to move Connecticut and America forward, everyone has to participate, and I predict women will lead the way.”
The new space allows WBDC to have a permanent location where they will continue to provide the Danbury and WCSU communities with entrepreneurial and financial training programs such as: Connecticut Business Express program, Finding the Right Mix: Integrated Marketing for Your Small Business, Branding for the Entrepreneur and Intellectual Property. Fees for programs range from free to $300. Some sessions are “drop-in”, while others require pre-registration. The full course selection can be found at http://www.ctwbdc.org/Current-Schedule-C34.aspx.
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, District 5 (D), whose representative was present, supports this joint effort. She stated, “I’m thrilled the Women’s Business Development Council will now have a permanent office in Danbury. WBDC is helping women break into fields where they have long been underrepresented, and commercialize their innovations for the benefit of our entire economy. I’m looking forward to working with them to help women create jobs and grow businesses here in Connecticut.”
Other elected officials who were unable to attend, but sent messages celebrating this new effort to build and grow Connecticut businesses, are Bob Godfrey, State Representative, Deputy Speaker, District 110 (D), David Arconti Jr., State Representative, District 109 (D), and Stephen Harding, State Representative, District 107 (R).
“WBDC programs are an addition to the vast array provided by the Ancell School of Business and the existing Entrepreneurship and Small Business Resource program of WCSU. WBDC programs at WSCU are offered to students, faculty and the Danbury community. WBDC provides programs in additional locations throughout the state,” said Amanda Allen, senior program manager for WBDC who will lead the Danbury office.
Ms. Allen, of Danbury, was recently promoted and will work closely with WBDC Program Specialist Courtney Gotshall, of Oxford, at this site. The WBDC WCSU campus office will be open Thursdays, 9:00am –5:00pm, and Fridays, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Drop-ins are welcome and appointments can be made by calling 203-969-5158 or emailing aallen@ctwbdc.org.
WCSU offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Their diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Their vision is to be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities. For more information on WCSU Ancell School of Business please visit http://www.wcsu.edu/asb/.
WBDC, a 501(c)(3), supports economic prosperity for women and strengthens communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. The organization is headquartered in Stamford.
For more information on WBDC visit ctwbdc.org, or follow WBDC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram @#ctwbdc