Manhattan garment factory receives Obama fund

The Obama government's Growth Accelerator Fund has awarded 50 American businesses to each receive a grant of 50,000

dollars.

Manufacture New York, a factory in Manhattan that describes itself as a hybrid fashion incubator and factory for independent designers, has been the only fashion company to receive the fund.

Said MNY CEO Bob Bland, “This is a tremendous honor. We’re very pleased that a sustainable business model emphasizing local design and production is now being recognized as pointing the way toward future job creation and a Made in America resurgence.”

MNY is one of only 50 winners out of 800 applications nationwide. A panel of experts in entrepreneurship, investing, and business plans reviewed finalists from both within the government and the private sector. MNY is the only New York City-based incubator to win an SBA award.

Said Bland, “We’re hopeful that this recognition of our hard work will help to inspire other domestic manufacturers to move forward. Local apparel production is indeed beginning a renaissance in New York City, and we’re grateful that the SBA is willing to contribute to our incubator’s ability to help local startups and entrepreneurs.”

Founded in 2012, MNY just celebrated its 2nd anniversary and has been recognized for its innovative Garment Center Pilot Program in Midtown Manhattan. The SBA award will also aid MNY’s efforts to launch an innovative 160,000-square-foot manufacturing innovation center for apparel, textiles and wearable technology in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.