30 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2014
CTResources4biz
Connecticut Department of Labor
What is it? The Connecticut Department of Labor is a state agency whose
primary mission is protecting and promoting the interests of the state's workers.
What does it do? The state DOL offers a variety of programs for employ-
ers, mostly through its eight CT Works Centers located throughout the state.
The agency has a program called 21st Training Resources, which provides
businesses in the state with free consultation services that result in an action
plan outlining training needs, funding sources to cover those costs and service
providers who can provide the training. The DOL website also offers in-depth
labor market data and hosts CT JobCentral, a website for employers to post job
openings for free.
How do I learn more? Visit www.ctdol.state.ct.us.
Connecticut Small Business
Development Center
What is it? The CT SBDC is an agency that supports small businesses. It's
funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA, the state
DECD and the University of Connecticut.
What does it do? The CT SBDC offers custom-designed services, includ-
ing: business plan review; cash flow analysis; guidance with loan and grant
applications; marketing and social media; international trade; inventory control
management; market research; management and personnel expertise; and
emergency preparedness. The agency has 10 locations throughout the state.
How do I learn more? Visit www.ctsbdc.com.
Emily Carter,
state director
Connecticut Economic Resource Center
What is it? CERC is a private nonprofit that was founded in 1993 as a
public-private partnership between the state and its utilities and telecom com-
panies.
What does it do? CERC provides a range of services to help complement
economic development efforts by the state. Its website offers a deep dive on
demographic data on the state's 169 towns. It also has a ProgramFinder service
on its website that catalogues state, federal and private assistance programs
for businesses and a SiteFinder service that catalogues commercial real estate
in Connecticut. CERC also runs the Connecticut Business Response Center, a
one-stop shop for information on starting, expanding and relocating a business
in Connecticut.
How do I learn more? Visit www.cerc.com.
Robert Santy,
president & CEO
More agencies of
interest to business
Community Investment Corp.
www.ciclending.com
Connecticut Convention & Sports
Bureau, www.ctmeetings.org
Connecticut Housing and Finance
Authority, www.chfa.org
Department of Consumer Protection
www.ct.gov/dcp
Department of Housing
www.ct.gov/doh
Secretary of State
www.ct.gov/sots
Sharon Palmer,
commissioner
The Connecticut Convention Center
(pictured) is located in downtown
Hartford and offers 205,000 square
feet of meeting space.
