International Hartford, a non-profit which fosters immigrant and minority entrepreneurship, announces the distribution of $80,000 in microgrants to finance capital equipment purchases, store buildouts and marketing by minority small businesses.  Awards are up to $10,000 per business.

These are the 15 awardees:

• La Casita, Guatemalan restaurant

• Rolling Roti, Guyanese food truck

• Ital Juicery, Jamaican juices, vegan food and desserts

• Head over Berries, juice bars

• Mask Down, recording studio

• Queen’s Fashion, African clothing

• Amarantha’s Hair Salon

• Art Food Live, West African food truck

• Key Bookstore, on-line bookstore for Black literature

• Anibok, Asian-African tea beverages

• Chef Walter, catering

• Da Last Drip, food sauces

• KH Action, car audio equipment

• AGP Global, event security

• Hive Builders, fatherhood education

The project is funded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and the Stanley D. and Hilda N. Fisher Fund.

This is the second year of the organization’s microgrant program.  International Hartford provides business counseling, access to capital and regulatory navigation for metro Hartford small businesses.

An award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7th  6 p.m. in the Hartford Room of the New Park Office and Conference Center, 151 New Park Ave. in Hartford.

Contact:                                                                                

Art Feltman    860-719-1856                                                                                

Erwin Hurst   860-490-4557