ROME — Five woman-owned businesses in Herkimer and Oneida counties are now using $5,000 grant awards to support their growth and development.

The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is behind the grant initiative with support from Baird Private Wealth Management and the Griffiss Institute of Rome, which hosted the award ceremony, per the Nov. 13 announcement.

The grant recipients include Barrio Builders of Utica; Bloom Nutrition Solutions of Utica; Can Chasers Company LLC; D. Furniture Upholstery; and Legacy Fiberoptics of Utica.

The grant applicants had to be 51 percent women-owned, located in Herkimer or Oneida Counties, and in business for a minimum of one year.

“Our financial support of women entrepreneurs in our area began in 2022,” Ellen Rainey, VP of The Women’s Fund and chairperson of the Women Investing in Women committee of the board, said in the announcement. “Our initiative has been embraced by the business community; we had 38 women business owners apply representing Oneida and Herkimer Counties. The diversity of the applications was impressive making the judging process both exciting and challenging.”

The Griffiss Institute says it has supported the Women Investing In Women initiative since The Women’s Fund grant program began in 2022.

“Innovation thrives when community members support each other to be successful,” Heather Hage, president and CEO of the Griffiss Institute, said. “These businesses are doing good deeds in our Mohawk Valley communities by creating meaningful careers and delivering products and services that improve our quality of life. We are proud to stand with The Women’s Fund and Baird to empower the business leaders who make our communities stronger.”  

The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties describes itself as a grassroots, volunteer-driven nonprofit which is funded by donor contributions. The Women’s Fund has donated nearly $1 million to individuals and organizations in their 28 years of service to Herkimer and Oneida counties.

Grant recipients

Ingrid Quiceno-Vela is the owner of Barrio Builders, a Latina-owned construction and housing rehabilitation firm based in Utica. It specializes in lead-safe renovations that protect families and revitalize underserved neighborhoods. The grant will help pay for a construction trailer.

Alex Nicolette is a registered dietitian and the founder of Bloom Nutrition Solutions. In her grant application, Nicolette said, “The Utica area has limited access to nutrition-related care, while many individuals struggle with chronic illnesses requiring specialized dietary therapies. Additionally, a growing population of women diagnosed with eating disorders requires the expertise of a registered dietitian experienced in meal planning and nutrition counseling tailored to this condition.” Nicolette will use the grant for marketing efforts to expand the group practice and increase client numbers.

The grant recipients also included Brenda Carney, of Can Chasers, which offers equine therapy to individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. Its work aligns with Herkimer County Mental Health Services’ goals to expand respite services by providing horse-centered and art-therapeutic activities. Carney will use the funding to purchase arena rails to expand the Can Chasers outdoor horse arena.

Ana Felicia Brito, of D. Furniture Upholstery, is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and her business “bucks the trend of ‘disposable’ furniture,” per the Griffiss Institute announcement. Brito will use her $5,000 grant to purchase industrial machines, allowing her to work faster and with heavier fabrics.

Gabriella Marchesani is the owner of Legacy Fiberoptics of Utica, which provides repair and calibration services for fiber-optic test equipment for its customers around the globe. Marchesani will use the grant to purchase nine new electrostatic discharge benches for the company’s new facility to accommodate its increased workload and new customers.