Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1407434
15 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 ON THE RECORD: Q&A disproportionately denied credit when they apply for it — even if their credit scores and personal wealth and revenue may be the same [as non- minorities]. So, I really hope that through this process we are able to identify a pathway to access to capital that has previously been somewhat elusive. Q: Could you talk about some of the things you think the SEC should be directing funds toward? Does this include seed funding for some social equity businesses? Yes, absolutely. I think there are opportunities, like what Massachusetts did, where they have incubator programs, or mentoring opportunities. There are a few different ways we can support those who are coming into this, maybe without the existing capital. So, I would love to see some of the funding go toward that. Q: Do you think municipalities and zoning regulations will become obstacles to social equity entrepreneurs? I think they certainly have the potential to do that. If you think about the disproportionately-affected areas, by and large, they are very dense areas, and so rules not allowing cannabis businesses within 500 feet of a school pretty much affects everybody everywhere. I'm hoping that our municipal leaders will really think about, and perhaps re-imagine what zoning might look like, so it is not a barrier to access for the communities that we are trying to serve. Q: One concern that's been articulated since the legalization bill was being drafted is that large multistate corporations may swamp out smaller entrepreneurs in the marketplace. Do you think it's within the SEC's purview to monitor that? One of the charges the SEC has is to make some policy recommendations to the legislature for the next session. As we look at more of the information that we are seeking — both through the social equity study and other information that comes our way — we will form recommendations. The law now says that from now until June of 2025, cannabis licenses can't be awarded to a lottery applicant who has two or more licenses. Hopefully that will start to mitigate some of the bigger players [from becoming too powerful]. I was just reading an article about Illinois — there was a study that found their recreational cannabis industry is dominated by six companies. That's certainly not the intent of the legislation in Connecticut and would not be something that we would want to happen. Q: The SEC has to approve social equity and workforce development plans for non-equity applicants. What should these plans include? I presume that we would want, among other things for the workforce development plan, for them to give hiring preference to residents of disproportionately-affected areas. And certainly, I would like to see some metrics [from existing medical marijuana industry companies] that show the number of employees that were hired, retained and promoted that come from those areas. In terms of social equity plans, it's about: What is your approach for equity? Does it include funding a low- interest loan, creating an accelerator or incubator program? Those are the types of things we would like to see, just some real thought, some real actionable and measurable steps to ensure that the intent of the social equity aspects of the legislation are honored. Social Equity Council members ■ Interim Executive Director: Ginne-Rae Clay ■ Interim chair: Andrea Comer Other members: ■ Joseph Williams ■ Kelli Vallieres ■ David Lehman ■ Melissa McCaw ■ Shawn Wooden ■ Subira Gordon ■ Michael Jefferson ■ Edwin Shirley ■ Corey Betts ■ Ramón Arroyo ■ Ojala Naeem ■ Marilyn Alverio Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … www.borghesibuilding.com Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … www.borghesibuilding.com Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … www.borghesibuilding.com © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. 2155 East Main Street • Torrington, Connecticut 06790 Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … www.borghesibuilding.com © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. 2155 East Main Street • Torrington, Connecticut 06790 Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, our goal simple: To provide our complete design, planning construction services industrial and retail on years of experience, competitive and offer When the strictest attention is critical to your success, always count on Borghesi From concept to occupancy, is your single source. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work … Wittmann Battenfeld, Torrington, CT Napoli Retail, Southington, CT Nufern, East Granby, CT Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT The Belknap White Group, Hartford, CT Since 1942, The Single Source Construction Firm Since 1942, our goal has been simple: To provide our clients with complete design, planning and construction services for commercial, industrial and retail buildings. Based on years of experience, we're price competitive and offer high quality. When the strictest attention to detail is critical to your success, you can always count on Borghesi to deliver. From concept to occupancy, Borghesi is your single source. AKDO, Bridgeport, CT Stevens Manufacturing, Milford, CT Building Ideas That Work …