Optimum Business and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council Announce a Call for Submissions for the Lifting up Small Businesses in Bridgeport, Connecticut Grants

25 Selected Businesses With 25 or Fewer Employees Will be Awarded a $5,000 Grant to Support Their Growth

Submissions Due Tuesday, August 15

For More Information: brbc.org/en/2025-optimum-business-grant-for-bridgeport-businesses

CONNECTICUT (JULY 14, 2025) – Optimum Business, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, and TV services, and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC), the largest business association in the region, today announce the founding of Lifting up Small Businesses in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which will directly fund 25 small businesses in Bridgeport. The program will distribute $5,000 grants to each selected business recipient to help support their growth and long-term success while further expanding and contributing to the prosperity of the Bridgeport community. 

“As a company committed to empowering local communities, Optimum Business is honored to partner with the BRBC to launch this impactful small business grant program. This initiative not only recognizes the vital role small businesses play in driving our local economy but also underscores the importance of fostering the growth and prosperity of the Bridgeport community,” said Elton Hart, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum Tri-State. “By providing essential connectivity resources, digital tools, and now, direct financial support, Optimum Business is ensuring local Bridgeport businesses have everything they need to succeed in today’s digital world. We encourage all eligible businesses to apply to this grant program and look forward to learning about the various ways the business owners will plan to use the grant funds.”  

“We’re excited to collaborate with Optimum Business to support our neighborhoods through this unique grant program,” said Dan Onofrio President/CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. “These funds and associated resources will empower local businesses to enhance their storefronts, expand offerings, and deepen their community impact.”

“I am thrilled to see initiatives like the Lifting up Small Businesses in Bridgeport grant program take root in our city,” said Mayor of Bridgeport Joseph Ganim. “Our small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods – creating jobs, building opportunity, and shaping the unique character of our community. By investing in these local entrepreneurs, we are investing in the future of Bridgeport’s families and the vitality of our economy. I commend Optimum Business and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council for their commitment to empowering Bridgeport’s small business community.”

How to Apply 

To apply via the online portal, interested small businesses must meet the following requirements: 

• Have a brick-and-mortar location in Bridgeport's zip codes 06604, 06605, 06606, 06607, 06608, or 06610;
• Have been open for a minimum of one year;
• Have 25 or fewer employees; 
• Submit an application by August 15, 2025; 
• Demonstrate through their application that the grant will both support the expansion and growth of their company and contribute positively to the community where they serve.

For more on the Lifting up Small Businesses in Bridgeport grant program, including submission requirements, official program rules, and how to submit, visit brbc.org/en/2025-optimum-business-grant-for-bridgeport-businesses. 

Optimum Business and the BRBC expect to announce the grant recipients in the fall of 2025. Once the winners are announced, Optimum Business will also host recognition events with local officials and key community partners joining in on the celebrations. 

Optimum continues to find new ways to deepen its community presence and connect its customers to what matters most, which includes supporting, understanding, and celebrating what makes each of its local communities unique. Lifting up Small Businesses in Bridgeport is a concrete example of this very commitment to customers and businesses in Bridgeport. This initiative is one of six small business grant programs the company has launched in communities across its footprint, including Long Island, New York; Edison, New Jersey; Southwest Louisiana; Charleston, West Virginia; and Greenville, North Carolina, furthering the company’s mission to making a positive impact in every community it serves.