STAMFORD, CT—Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) joined the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) in Stamford today to highlight how new federal investment will assist the center in creating jobs and helping women entrepreneurs. The funding, secured by Himes and WBDC through the appropriations process, will be used by the center to expand their services to more businesses. The meeting took place at the Stamford Arts Association, a client of WBDC.

“WBDC is working with women every single day to help them create jobs and improve their businesses,” said Congressman Himes. “Investments like this help real people create real jobs, and it couldn’t be more necessary in the tough economic times we now face.”

WBDC provides professional guidance for women in Connecticut seeking to start or expand a small business. As a result of the recession, WBDC’s services are in even greater demand. This specific funding will be used to expand the center’s existing operations to focus on residents who have lost their jobs or entrepreneurs whose businesses are struggling as a result of the current challenging economic situation. In addition to helping create new businesses, the organization is also working with established businesses to help restore lines of credit, salvage jobs, restructure debt, and reorganize operations.

“The Congressman is a strong advocate for local businesses and women entrepreneurs,” said Fran Pastore, CEO of WBDC. “The funding he helped secure will give WBDC the boost we need to expand services and training to more women, creating both more jobs and more taxpayers.”

WBDC is a non-profit, micro-enterprise development organization whose goal is to boost economic independence for women through entrepreneurial training, workshops in small business development, technical assistance, and courses in financial and career counseling.  They also provide educational opportunity for women who may be socially or economically disadvantaged through a scholarship program.