The Town of Hamden's Economic and Community Development Department has closed on two loans for an amount totaling $72,000 to help Clean Gear of Connecticut open its new business at 555 Sherman Ave. The first loan was approved for $45,000 in assistance under the Down Payment Assistance Program. This program offered these funds at a yearly interest rate of the Prime Rate plus one point. The second was approved for $27,000 through the Town of Hamden's Micro-Loan Program, which was used for the purchase of equipment and renovations.
Clean Gear brings a new idea to a town that is rich in sports history. Founded by Edward and Laura Richetelli of Hamden, the company will clean, deodorize and sanitize athletic gear, police and firefighter's gear and difficult to clean household and miscellaneous items utilizing the exclusive and patented Esporta Wet Wash/Washer-Extractor Cleaning System. This business will function as a delivery business, but will also have a facility where these items can be dropped off for cleaning. This will not only serve as a great business for Hamden, but is sure to attract customers from the Greater New Haven area as well. "Clean Gear is exactly the kind of business we look to finance, a business with a unique idea that supports what makes the town so great," said Dale Kroop, the director of Economic and Community Development for the Town of Hamden.
Clean Gear began as a client of the Town of Hamden's Business Assistance Center which provides a variety of services to residents of Hamden who wish to open new businesses in town.