Fairfield Launches Business And University Alliance To Support Local Companies

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Economic Development Commission has announced a new partnership among local businesses, the town, Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University aimed at expanding resources for small and emerging businesses while strengthening connections between higher education and the local economy.

The Fairfield Business & University Alliance brings together the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the town's Economic Development Commission, Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University. According to the commission, the partnership will create pathways for businesses to participate in university programs, including internships, capstone projects, market research initiatives and data analytics support.

The commission said the alliance is intended to provide small and growing businesses with practical resources while giving students opportunities to gain professional experience with Fairfield businesses.

To help identify business needs, the Economic Development Commission and its partners are asking local businesses to complete a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BizNeedsSurvey.

"This alliance is a natural and powerful extension of Fairfield's commitment to economic vitality," Mark Barnhart, the town's director of community and economic development, said in a statement. "By aligning our local business ecosystem with the academic strength of our universities, we are creating opportunities that benefit students, entrepreneurs, and the broader community alike."

According to the commission, participating businesses, particularly startups and small enterprises, will have access to student-led consulting and research projects, internship opportunities, marketing and branding support, data analytics, operational insights, and faculty-guided innovation initiatives.

Fairfield University Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Anderson said the partnership expands opportunities for students to apply classroom learning through internships, client-based projects and entrepreneurial programs while supporting local businesses.

"Through internships, client-based projects, entrepreneurial initiatives such as Fairfield StartUp, and partnerships with local organizations, our students gain invaluable real-world experience while delivering meaningful value to businesses," Anderson said. "This alliance creates new opportunities to connect the talent, creativity, and expertise of our students and faculty with the needs of Fairfield's business community, strengthening both our local economy and the educational experience we provide."

Andrew Gaudes, interim dean of Sacred Heart University's Welch College of Business & Technology, said the alliance reflects the university's role in working with businesses and community leaders to address regional challenges.

"Universities should not simply prepare graduates for the economy, they should help build the economy alongside the communities they serve," Gaudes said. "The future of higher education is not confined to the campus. It is embedded in the communities we serve. Our role is to bring together students, faculty, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, create opportunities, and strengthen the regional economy. This alliance represents exactly that kind of partnership."

The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce will help identify business needs and connect companies with university programs and resources.

"Our mission has always been to support the success and sustainability of local businesses," Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Balaz said. "This alliance unlocks new avenues for growth by connecting business owners with talent, innovation, and fresh perspectives."

The commission said the partnership builds on existing collaborations and establishes a more structured process for businesses to participate in university programs. Initial programs are expected to begin during the coming academic year, with additional participation and offerings planned over time.

For more information about the alliance and participation opportunities, contact the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce or the Fairfield Economic Development Commission.