Small Biz Grants At Risk | SBANE's earmark is on the chopping block
As Gov. Deval Patrick slashes earmarks in the state’s budget to balance it, one of the casualties may be grants that help small companies become more efficient and competitive so jobs can be saved.
The program at issue is entitled the Lay-Off Aversion plan. It is administered by the Waltham-based Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE), a nonprofit organization that promotes and protects small businesses. SBANE and the State Legislature give out grants to companies so they can hire consultants that will improve the businesses. They hire management experts, accountants and others, who help the firms become stronger and avoid laying off workers, according to SBANE President Robert Baker.
“The overall purpose is to strengthen the companies,” he said.
This was the third year in row that the State Legislature funded the program at $600,000. But the governor decided to review “earmarks” in the current budget because the state has not collected as much revenue as it projected it would. The governor will announce what earmarks have been cut on Oct. 15, Baker said. The grants are usually funded up to $10,000 per company.
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