“Our small businesses and entrepreneurs are critical to the fabric of our economy and our community. The federal government must step in and do its part to help small businesses reopen safely and recover.” Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro NEW HAVEN, CT — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) today joined Mark Cousineau, President of […]

Congratulations to Juan Lantigua, owner and founder of The Family Cake in Providence, Rhode Island, for winning the 2020 Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year award! From the Rhode Island district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration: Juan Lantigua’s path to opening the Family Cake is an uncommon one. Born in the Dominican Republic, […]

What happens when you combine a love for food, a global pandemic, and the undeniable comfort that’s found at the bottom of a pastry box? You get the birth of a unique and wonderful bakery! In this case, Blush Bakeshop in Providence, Rhode Island, started with all of the above and a Microloan from CIC. […]

As you know, the SBA has stepped up in a big way to assist small business owners (and their employees) impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown. Many in CT and RI have taken advantage of SBA loan programs funded through the CARES Act (EIDL and PPP). Despite best efforts to get cash into the hands of […]

Last year, our lending team was introduced to an entrepreneur in the Providence, Rhode Island area who had a passion for chocolate. It wasn’t the kind of passion that the everyday, regular person has, it was deeper — more like the feeling a wine connoisseur gets from a vintage bottle that’s been perfectly stored and […]

BRIDGE LOANS AVAILABLEThe Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has finalized their Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program to provide emergency cash flow relief to small businesses and nonprofits that are negatively impacted by the coronavirus. The state has several programs and initiatives in place to assist businesses during this difficult period.For more information, […]