New Haven, CT (June 28, 2021) - The
ConnCORP Board of Directors today announced Aya Beckles Swanson as the
Executive Director to head its new business incubator, The ConnCORP Lab.
Swanson’s appointment became effective June 14, 2021. ConnCORP recently
purchased the Hamden Business Incubator, located at 496 Newhall St., to
seed and support minority and Black-owned businesses.
Swanson
has worked and lived in Connecticut for nearly two decades, honing her
expertise in economic and business development, community outreach, and
SBA lending. She previously worked under former New Haven Mayor John
DeStefano and for the town of East Hartford in economic development, as
well as with the City of Meriden on brownfields and the downtown
transit-oriented development, a compact, mixed-use development near
transit facilities and high-quality walking environments.
Swanson also spent time working at Essex Savings Bank, after five years
as a commercial loan officer with Community Investment Corporation.
“For me, the ConnCORP vision is rooted in years of work paved by the
leaders at ConnCORP to support the Newhallville community with
entrepreneurial and educational opportunities,” Beckles Swanson said.
“I’m eager to build and expound on that vision and use my experience in
business and economic development to support minority and Black-owned
businesses here in New Haven.”
The ConnCORP Lab will focus on businesses throughout the Greater New
Haven area and serve as a hub for the entrepreneurs that are driving the
community into the future.
“Aya has a vast array of talents and abilities that are ideal for this exciting, new element of ConnCORP,” said Erik Clemons, CEO and President of ConnCORP.
“She is committed to creating a nexus towards discovering and
cultivating the many Black businesses from around our community. We are
confident in her leadership and her commitment to the entrepreneurs that
make the Greater New Haven community thrive.”
“There is such a long road ahead of us in recovering from the impact
that COVID-19 had on Black owned businesses and ensuring these
businesses have the ecosystem and resilience to withstand hardship,” Beckles Swanson said.
“Half the battle to building a successful business is having a
community that can provide advice, mentorship, accountability, business
leads, and access to capital where needed.”
The ConnCORP Lab is currently planning several building projects in its
location in Hamden, including a redesign of the existing entryway,
build-out of the third floor, and reimagined focus on technology and
green energy. Swanson is heading these projects and expects them to be
complete by 2022.
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