News
Release
For Immediate Release
Sept. 30, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT
ANSON SMITH AT 203-332-5229
Help For Small Businesses
Available at HCC
Experienced Business Counselors
Available On Campus
Wins kudos from Public
Cutline: GRAND OPENING - Housatonic Community College
President Anita Gliniecki (center) of Monroe readies the scissors to cut the
ribbon to the new campus office of the Greater Bridgeport chapter of SCORE, which
provides free business counseling to small businesses. Incoming Bridgeport SCORE
Chairman Gregory Bivona of Trumbull (left) and HCC Professor and Business Administration
Department Chair Joan Gallagher (right) of Shelton (right) look on.
BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College
has teamed up with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) to
offer free business counseling to small businesses.
The Bridgeport Chapter of the Washington, D.C.–based SCORE will offer free confidential counseling to people considering going into business, small businesses being formed, and existing small businesses trying to drive growth or overcome roadblocks. The chapter has more than 50 counselors with expertise and experience in a wide variety of fields, including accounting/ financial management, engineering/design, import/export, international operations, law, manufacturing, and marketing/sales.
“It’s small businesses that are the driving force of this country,” said HCC President Anita T. Gliniecki of Monroe at the welcoming ceremony. “SCORE provides Housatonic and the community at large with expertise that is not only based on the volunteers’ academic backgrounds, but on experience gained being on the front lines of business, solving problems, making plans, holding strategy sessions and getting results.”
“We’re ecstatic that SCORE will have an office here on campus,” she said.
SCORE’s Bridgeport chapter, said incoming Chairman Greg Bivona of Trumbull, last year offered more than 400 counseling sessions, and 30 workshops to more than 1,000 attendees. The counselors have expertise in a wide variety of areas, including accounting/ financial management, engineering/design, import/export, international operations, law, manufacturing, and marketing/sales.
This expertise and experience enables the counselors to offer assistance such as:
- Helping loan applicants make the best possible case to their bank.
- Providing advice on what to include in a business plan.
- Reviewing the plan when completed to see if it can be strengthened.
- Offering advice on where to find information needed for a marketing plan.
- Identifying pitfalls and problems that small businesses can face.
The arrangement won kudos from HCC business students who were numbered among the 150 faculty, staff and students who attended a welcoming/information session for SCORE held recently at the college.
“The information session on business counseling was really informative,” said Housatonic Community College student Samia Khan of Stratford. “I’m interested in accounting and in starting a business with my father. I will take advantage of these services.”
“I’m interested in becoming an auditor,” said fellow student Tamiepko Cuffee of Bridgeport, “and I’ll definitely use these services. I’m all for anything that will enhance my higher education.”
“I have a lot of ideas about brewing and would like to produce a national, consistent American pale lager,” said HCC student Steven Ensinger of Trumbull, “These services certainly will be of help to me.”
The SCORE will be at HCC (Room 337, Beacon Hall) Wednesdays from 1:15 p.m. until 3:45 p.m., except for holidays. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 203-576-4369.
While SCORE will be housed at Housatonic, it is not limiting its services just to HCC.
This impressed Ensinger.
“It’s remarkable that this is open not only to HCC students but to anyone else who wants to use it,” he said. “Not only am I going to use it, I’m going to suggest that one of my friends use it as well.”
Housatonic Community College is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.
For more information on Bridgeport SCORE, go to http://www.scorect.org/about_greater_bridgeport_score.html.
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu