Business Resources of Eastern Connecticut

COMMUNITY ACCOUNTING AID & SERVICES INC.

1800 Asylum Avenue, 4th Floor, West Hartford, CT 06117 (860) 570-9113; http://www.aicpa.org

Purpose: Provides free accounting and financial counseling to economically disadvantaged businesses and individuals in Connecticut.

CONNECTICUT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (CBIA)

CBIA, 370 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (860) 244-1900; http://www.cbia.com
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) is a professional services organization, recognized as the most effective advocate for business in the state. We work at the state Capitol on behalf of our 10,000 members, and they rely on our products, services and information to grow and compete in a global economy.

CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, INC.

222 Pitkin Street, Suite 101, East Hartford, CT 06108, (860) 291 8832, http://www.ccat.us

Mission: The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. provides services and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses, and through collaboration with industry, academia, and government, helps companies innovate and compete.

CONNECTICUT INNOVATIONS (CI)

200 Corporate Place, 3rd Floor, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, (860) 563-5851; http://www.ctinnovations.com

Purpose: Connecticut Innovations provides strategic capital and operational insight to push the frontiers of high-tech industries such as energy, biotechnology, information technology, and photonics.

CT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

200 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield 06109 (860) 263-6000; http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us
New London CT Works Center, Shaw's Cove Six, New London, CT 06320, (860) 439-7400

Purpose: The Department is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers.

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND INFORMATION - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Department of Labor Office of Research and Information, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 (860) 263-6000, http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us

Purpose: Provides economic information on Connecticut and area industries as well as data on the occupational status of all industries, and projections of worker skills needed as employment trends are identified.

CONNECTICUT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CDA)

999 West Street, Rocky Hill 06067; (860) 258-7800; http://www.state.ct.us/cda

Purpose: The Connecticut Development Authority provides debt financing and investment capital to help businesses grow in Connecticut.
-We stimulate business investment and create jobs by financing companies and projects that: Contribute to Connecticut’s economy, technology base, intellectual capital, urban infrastructure, employment or tax revenues.

CT ECONOMIC RESOURCE CENTER

Connecticut's Business Response Center
805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122; http://www.cerc.com

Purpose: CERC is a nonprofit company funded primarily by utility companies with a mission of promoting Connecticut as a competitive business location.

CT LICENSING CENTER & SMART START

805 Brook Street, Bldg. 4, Rocky Hill 06067; (800) 392-2122, (860) 571-6207; http://www.ct-clic.com

Purpose: Whether you are starting, purchasing, expanding or relocating a business in Connecticut, we want to make it easy for you to navigate through the various licensing and registration requirements.

Our easy-to-use system will guide you step-by-step through the process leading you to the appropriate agencies, necessary forms and additional information sources. This process is effective for the majority of businesses, however if you require further assistance, please contact Smart Start for customized, one-on-one support.

CONNECTICUT PROCUREMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PTAP)

PTAP's Headquarters at the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (SECTER), 190 Governor Winthrop Blvd, Suite 300, New London 06320, (860) 437-4659; http://www.secter.org

Purpose: Provides free marketing and technical assistance to Connecticut businesses that sell or want to sell their products/services to federal, state and local government agencies.
CT SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

Executive SBDC Office:
Central Connecticut State University (CCSU): Housed in CCSU’s Institute of Technology and Business Development (ITBD) building in downtown New Britain.
185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051
Local Satellite Office:
Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU): Housed at Beckert Hall, 83 Windham Street, Willimantic, CT 06226
http://www.ccsu.edu/sbdc

To promote and encourage the creation and growth of small business by providing sound business advice through professional no cost counseling, seminars, technical assistance and education for business owners and entrepreneurs in one-on-one or group training environments throughout the state of Connecticut. The Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is dedicated to advise and nurture small businesses at the grass roots level. Our regional offices are staffed by professional business counselors who provide the one-on-one counseling without charge to Connecticut’s small business community.

CONNSTEP

1090 Elm Street, Suite 202, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, (800) 266-6672, (860) 529-5120; http://www.connstep.org

Purpose: CONNSTEP has built a reputation as Connecticut’s leading resource for manufacturing businesses. Since 1994, we’ve helped hundreds of manufacturers tackle their toughest challenges and take their business to the next level. We offer a full range of solutions for manufacturers of all sizes.

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (DECD)

805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122; http://www.ct.gov/ecd

Purpose: The Department of Economic and Community Development is the state's lead agency for the development and implementation of policies, strategies and programs all of which are designed to enhance Connecticut's communities and business and housing environments.

The Department of Economic and Community Development develops and implements strategies to attract and retain businesses and jobs, revitalize neighborhoods and communities, ensure quality housing and foster appropriate development in Connecticut's towns and cities.

DEPARMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES SET-ASIDE PROGRAM

165 Capitol Ave, Rm G-8a, Hartford 06106, (860) 713-5236, http://www.das.state.ct.us

Purpose: The State's Supplier Diversity program targets that at least 25% of the state's business is transacted with small businesses including those owned by minorities, women and the disabled. To participate, simply register with the Department of Administrative Services. Once certified, you can bid on contracts covered by the program as well as all other state contracts.

INSTITUE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (ITBD)

185 Main Street New Britain, Connecticut, 06051 860.832.0700; http://www.ccsu.edu/itbd

Purpose: Central Connecticut State University's Institute of Technology and Business Development (ITBD) supports Connecticut businesses and business-related organizations with training, technology assistance, conferencing services, procurement services and business incubation.

Combining the expertise of a professional staff, academic experts, private sector advisors, and government resources, ITBD turns ideas into ventures, aids the growth of existing businesses, and helps Connecticut's business community succeed in today's challenging domestic and international market.

SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT ENTERPRISE REGION (SECTER)

190 Governor Winthrop Boulevard, Suite 300, New London, CT 06320 (860) 437-4659; http://www.secter.org

The Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) is a public-private regional economic development agency serving the towns of New London County Connecticut. Our mission is to promote and preserve the region’s attractiveness, to encourage new business, and to assist and to nurture existing and expanding local enterprises.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

330 Main Street, Hartford 06106 (860) 240-4700 or the SBA Answer Desk (800) 827-5722; http://www.sba.gov

Purpose: SBA’s District Offices are responsible for the delivery of SBA's many programs and services throughout the country. Services available include:
• Free counseling, advice and information on starting a business through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).
• Financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area bank and non-bank lenders.
• Free consulting services through the network of Small Business Development Centers. SBDCs also conduct training events throughout the district - some require a nominal registration fee.
• Assistance to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through the Minority Enterprise Development Program.
• Women's Business Ownership Representatives are available to advise women business owners.
• Special loan programs are available for businesses involved in international trade.
• Guaranteed loans are available for credit-worthy veterans.

ONLINE WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER (SBA)

Small Business Administration, (SBA) 330 Main Street, Hartford 06106 (860) 240 - 4700 http://www.sba.gov

Purpose: This interactive business skills training website, http://www.onlinewbc.org, is dedicated to enabling entrepreneurial women to reach their goals and aspirations for personal and professional development. The center's goal is to provide women with the information and expertise they need to plan their economic independence through entrepreneurship.

SCORE-SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES

Small Business Administration, 330 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 251-7000
SCORE ® Southeastern CT, 665 Boston Post Road (at Old Saybrook Shopping Center), Old Saybrook, CT 06475

More than 13,000 volunteer business executives provide free counseling and training for small business owners. Also meets with clients monthly at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

U.S. EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER

United States Department of Commerce, District Export Assistance Center, 213 Court Street, Suite 903 Middletown, CT 06457-3346 (860) 638-6950; http://www.buyusa.gov/connecticut & http://www.export.gov

Purpose: Export.gov Helps American Companies Succeed Globally. Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace. From market research and trade leads from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service to export finance information from Export-Import Bank and the Small Business Administration to agricultural export assistance from USDA, Export.gov helps American exporters navigate the international sales process and avoid pitfalls such as non-payment and intellectual property misappropriation.