Five local business owners recently received seCTerRise grants to expand their operations. The total disbursement in the Spring 2026 round of funding totaled $65,000.
The following businesses qualified for the funding, based on seCTerRise criteria:
Choose Your Path Counseling LLC owner Valerie Martin was awarded $10,000 to expand her mental health counseling practice into outdoor grief therapy and recreation-based counseling services. Funds will support the purchase of camping, cooking, and recreational equipment for grief support programming in an outdoor setting.
Hope Transportation LLC owner Emmanuel Esperance, who provides transportation for medical appointments, therapy sessions, and other essential travel needs, was awarded $10,000 to help fund the purchase of a van with lift capabilities. In addition to expanding service capacity, the seCTerRise grant will support the hiring of an additional full-time driver.
Clear Pathway LLC owner Lesley Ingves was awarded $10,000 to expand her business coaching and advisory practice with the launch of “SECT Builders Network,” a networking and training platform for small contractors in southeastern Connecticut. Funds will support legal services, branding, digital presence development, and marketing.
JG Creations LLC owner John Genna Jr. operates a laser engraving and custom branding business specializing in awards, trophies, personalized gifts, and industrial engraving services. Genna will use his $10,000 seCTerRise grant to purchase new laser engraving equipment to improve efficiency and increase production capacity.
Whitecrest LLC / Whitecrest Eatery owners Abbey Hemmann and Chef Johan Jensen, who focus on focus on artisan pizza and locally sourced cuisine, will use their $25,000 seCTerRise grant to fund a kitchen expansion and the purchase of new equipment for a dedicated smash burger concept featuring locally sourced beef from regional farms.
seCTerRise grants are intended to improve the resiliency and sustainability of small to medium-sized businesses across the region. Funding is proved by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
Businesses located in economically distressed communities, as determined by state criteria, will receive priority consideration and 50 percent of program funds will be awarded to business owned by minorities, veterans and women.
For eligibility criteria, application details, and more information, visit www.secter.org or contact Kaitlin Ferrero, Economic Development Specialist, at 860.437.4659 x4 or kferrero@secter.org
