Telephone (401) 596-7761 or email  info@westerlychamber.org

FEDERAL

504 CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LOAN PROGRAM (SBA)
SBA, 330 Main Street, Hartford 06106 (860) 240-4700 or the SBA Answer Desk (800) 827-5722; http://www.sba.gov/
Purpose: Provides growing businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. A certified development company is a non-profit corporation set up to contribute to the economic development of its community or region. CDCs work with the SBA and private-sector lenders to provide financing to small businesses. There are about 290 CDCs nationwide. Each CDC covers a specific area.


CONNECTICUT SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
Connecticut Small Business Development Center, University of Connecticut, 1800 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117 (860) 570-9109 or in Storrs at (860) 486-4135
Purpose: Provides free, confidential, one-on-one business counseling to new or existing small business owners on all aspects of starting or operating a business, utilizing a staff of full-time professional business counselors. Also sponsors small business workshops and seminars on a broad range of topics.


MICROLOAN PROGRAM (SBA)
SBA, 330 Main Street, Hartford CT 06106, (860) 240-7400 or the SBA Answer Desk (800) 827-5722; http://www.sba.gov/
Purpose: The program was developed to increase the availability of short-term loans to prospective small business borrowers for the purchase of inventory and working capital. It provides very small loans to start-up, newly established or growing small businesses. Under this program, SBA makes funds available to non-profit community-based lenders (intermediaries) which, in turn make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $35,000. The average loan size is about $10,500. Since 1992, more than $150 million has been loaned to approximately 14,100 entrepreneurs. Applications are submitted to the local intermediary and all credit decisions are made on the local level.


SBA CONTRACT ASSISTANCE
Small Business Administration, 330 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-4654
Purpose: Helps small businesses obtain a representative share of federal contracts.


SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Small Business Administration, 330 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-4654
Purpose: Represents small-business interests before Congress and federal agencies.


OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Small Business Administration, 330 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 240-4654
Purpose: Markets SBA programs to the community and serves as the business education department of SBA.


SCORE - SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVES
Small Business Administration, 330 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 251-7000
Purpose: More than 13,000 volunteer business executives provide free counseling and training for small business owners.


THE HARTFORD BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTER
Small Business Administration Civic Center, Third Floor, 301 Hartford, CT 06103 (860) 251-7000 Purpose: Provides informational and technical assistance to new and existing businesses.


EXPORT MARKETING ASSISTANCE - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Hartford District Office, United States Department of Commerce, District Export Assistance Center, 213 Court Street, Suite 903 Middletown, CT 06457-3346 (860) 638-6950
Purpose: Provides small and midsize Connecticut businesses with marketing statistics, marketing research reports, foreign country data, trade lists and opportunities, a commercial newsletter, an agent or distributor search, foreign market surveys, trade missions/shows, catalog shows, background check on foreign firms, exporting seminars, a resource library and requirements for United States export documentation.


RECRUITMENT SERVICES THROUGH THE CONNECTICUT WORKS CENTERS
Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield 06109 (860) 263-6000; http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/
Purpose: Assists you and your company in finding qualified candidates.


THE U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
U.S. Department of Commerce, District Export Assistance Center, 213 Court Street, Suite 903, Middletown 06457 (860) 638-6950 (800) USA TRADE
Purpose: Provides small and mid-sized Connecticut businesses with individualized counseling, marketing statistics, marketing research reports, foreign country data, trade lists and opportunities, a commercial newsletter, an agent or distributor search, foreign market surveys, trade missions/shows, background check onm foreign firms, exporting seminars, a resource library and requirements for U.S. export documentation.


STATE


CONNECTICUT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FINANCING PROGRAMS (CDA), a quasi-state agency
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 financial assistance with a focus on economic development and job creation. It assists with expansion capital to purchase land and buildings, machinery and equipment, and working capital. CDA offers many different programs to aid businesses either currently in or planning to move to Connecticut.


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 assitance to Connecticut businesses that sell or want to sell their products/services to federal, state and local government agencies.


CONNECTICUT SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER SOUTHEASTERN BRANCH - AVERY POINT
Administration Building, Room 300 1084 Shennecossett Road Groton, Connecticut 06340-6097 (860) 405-9002, FAX: (860) 405-9041
Purpose: Facts about starting a small business.


DECD - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, 805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122
Purpose: Provides leadership and services aimed at enhancing the state's economy and at expanding opportunities for individual, business and community prosperity, promoting equity and improving the quality of life for Connecticut citizens.


DEPARMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES SET-ASIDE PROGRAM
Department of Administrative Services, Business CONNections/Set Aside Unit, 165 Capitol Ave, Rm G-8a, Hartford 06106, (860) 713-5236, http://www.das.state.ct.us/
Purpose: Certifies businesses to bid on contracts from government purchases and contracts reserved for small firms and female, disabled, and minority owned businesses. It is an advocate for small business enterprises working within the state procurement process.


EXPORT ASSISTANCE
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, 805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122
Purpose: Assists manufacturers selling or looking to sell their products overseas and provides information to companies interested in international trade.


MANUFACTURING/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - CONN/STEP
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, 805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122
Purpose: Provides direct technical assistance to small and midsize manufacturing firms. Offers expertise in manufacturing material and process technologies.


OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY SERVICES
Office of Policy and Management (OPM), 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford 06106 (860) 418-6461
Purpose: The Small Business Energy Program is designed to assist businesses in reducing their operating costs by providing cost/benefit information relative to supply/demand options and providing information regarding rate and service options available in a deregulated market place. SBES staff assists small businesses in identifying and analyzing available rate and service options for electricity and natural gas, in order to reduce their energy costs. Services include onsite assistance, telephone assistance, and seminars.


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 entreprenuership.


SET-ASIDE PROGRAM
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, 805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122
Purpose: Certifies businesses to bid on contracts from government purchases and contracts reserved for small firms and female and minority-owned businesses.


TOURISM ASSISTANCE - DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, 805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122
Purpose: Year-round promotion by the department, the operation of welcome centers statewide, cooperative marketing efforts with local tourism districts, and technical and sales assistance to firms engaged in group tour development.


CI - CONNECTICUT INNOVATIONS
Connecticut Innovations, 999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (860) 563-5851
Purpose: The state of Connecticut's emerging technology investor, providing risk capital investments of between $100,000 and $1 million.


CERC - CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC RESOURCE CENTER, INC.
Connecticut Economic Resource Center, 805 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405 (800) 392-2122
Purpose: Provides information on programs and services for businesses. Supplies information regarding state, federal, local and some private programs and services. Also provides site/real estate assistance, economic related information and research data on Connecticut.


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
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.


CUSTOMIZED JOB TRAINING
Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 (860) 263-6000
Purpose: Helps employers design and implement customized job training programs.


PRIVATE


INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051 (860) 827-7966
Purpose: Helps Connecticut firms improve their performance and productivity by enhancing their knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies, particularly in computer systems for manufacturing, construction, automation and graphic arts.


CONNECTICUT BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION - CBIA
CBIA, 370 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (860) 244-1900
Purpose: Offers consulting services for a wide range of subjects, several publications and various insurance programs which are available to member businesses.

THE CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (CEIS)
DECD, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford 06106 (860) 270-8165 www.state.ct.us/ecd/research/ceis
Purpose: Provides economic and demographic information at the town, regional and state levels via various DECD publications and the CEIS Web site.


COMMUNITY ACCOUNTING AID & SERVICES INC.
1800 Asylum Avenue, 4th Floor, West Hartford, CT 06117 (860) 570-9113
Purpose: Provides free accounting and financial counseling to economically disadvantaged businesses and individuals in Connecticut.


ENTREPRENEURIAL CENTER - HARTFORD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
50 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105 (860) 768-5681
Purpose: Assists through the decision-making process in opening a small business and provides assistance until the business is opened.


MIT TECHNOLOGY FORUM OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
151 New Park Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 586-2356
Purpose: Assists emerging technology-based companies in key phases of development through a case-presentation format with a panel of experts.


NERAC TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER
NERAC, Inc., One Technology Drive, Tolland, CT 06084 (860) 872-7000
Purpose: Operates in cooperation with NASA to promote the dissemination and utilization of global technologies through use of technical experts, patent searches, research investigations, feasibility studies and market research.


SECTER - SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT ENTERPRISE REGION
John Markowicz, Executive Director, SECTER, 190 Governor Winthrop Blvd., Suite 300, New London, CT 06320 (860) 437-4659, FAX: 437-4662
Purpose: The mission of SECTER is to stimulate and support economic development and diversification within Southeastern Connecticut and Westerly, RI, and adjacent areas of Rhode Island. This non-profit agency is partially funded by towns in those areas and acts as a liaison between public and private companies. SECTER nurtures business start-up and expansion, promotes the region's resources and competitiveness, coordinates economic development activities, and defines and updates the region's economic goals and strategies. Promotes strong business attraction and retention of business by giving referrals. Makes available a 7500 square foot incubator at Avery Point, which provides space and support. Provides loan funds -- $2 million in new funds for industry. Gives procurement technical assistance that is marketing and technical assistance for government contracts, and electronic data.


SMART START (CERC)
CERC, 805 Brook Street, Bldg. 4, Rocky Hill 06067; (800) 392-2122, (860) 571-6207;
Smart Start
Purpose: Simplifies the registration and licensing process for new and expanding businesses in Connecticut to bring them into full compliance with Connecticut law quickly and easily.