SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Latino economic development corporation has awarded 38 micro-businesses in Springfield more than $100,000 in grants.  The Latino EDC held a news conference Thursday with Representative Carlos Gonzalez to celebrate the funds. They were there alongside 'BuildEmUp Fitness', a woman-owned fitness gym located in Springfield. ‘Into the Forest’ Bright Nights Ball this Saturday at MGM Springfield Owner, Emily Banerjee says the $3,000 she was awarded will help fund marketing initiatives that focus on bringing in a target demographic, "Cater to the demographics that are in our target area down here, so,  mainly millennial women, a lot of minority women, students, mothers, people like me, and I don't think they have a safe space for fitness yet and I'm trying to be that place." This funding was secured through the Massachusetts State House and the goal is designed to fuel the growth of Springfield's small business community, specifically businesses that need essential marketing upgrades like BuildEmUp Fitness.  Local News Headlines Free parking at Mass. state parks and Army Corps recreation areas for Veterans Day 38 small busineeses in Springfield awarded funding American Freight closing all Massachusetts locations: ‘Everything is on sale’ Southwick police seek to identify larceny suspects WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.