Find out about small business benefits |
Congressman Larson is committed to helping small businesses succeed. Our office can point small businesses in the right direction to find sought after advice and technical assistance. Please contact Conor Quinn in Congressman Larson's District Office with any questions or concerns by telephone at (860) 278-8888. Below are useful websites to help small businesses in a variety of different ways: Small Business ResourcesDocumentsConnecticut SBA Small Business Resource Guide CRS Report - Overview of the Federal Procurement Process and Resources Federal ResourcesThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The historic mission of the Department is "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce" of the United States. $730 million is provided to SBA through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. More businesses that need help can now be reached, after changes to the agency's lending and investment programs. SBA Connecticut District Office This is the Connecticut District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. CT SBA Small Business Financing Hotline The purpose of the hotline is to allow small-business owners a phone number to seek assistance with business-related questions. All calls are confidential. The Office of Advocacy within the SBA was formed to protect, strengthen and effectively represent the nation's small businesses within the Federal Government's legislative and rule-making processes. This division works to lower the burdens imposed by Federal policies onto small firms, and maximize the benefits small businesses receive from the government. Federal Business Opportunities This government website allows commercial vendors and government buyers to post, search, monitor and retrieve opportunities sought by the entire Federal contracting community. Minority Business Development Agency The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the only Federal agency dedicated to advancing the establishment and growth of minority-owned firms in the United States. Through a network of minority business centers and strategic partners, MBDA works with minority entrepreneurs who wish to grow their businesses in size, scale and capacity. Office of Veterans Business Development To maximize the availability, applicability and usability of all administration small business programs for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and their dependents or survivors. Native American Business Development The SBA features programs for American Indians, Native Alaskans and Native Hawaiians seeking to create, develop and expand small businesses. These groups have full access to the necessary business development and expansion tools. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration The goal of ITA is to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promote trade and investment, and ensure fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. Their website allows access to ITA's information and services regarding U.S. international trade policy. The U.S. Government's official website for small businesses. They provide access to Federal, state, and local information that helps business owners successfully start and operate while staying compliant with laws and regulations. United States Department of Agriculture Business and Community Development The USDA works with private sector and community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning in rural areas to create or preserve quality jobs and promote a clean rural environment. They also provide loans and grants to develop essential public community facilities. State ResourcesThe State of Connecticut provides links to your town. Find your local chamber, economic development department, local development programs and other resources. Choose "Cities & Towns" from the "Government Link." Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology CCAT's mission is to provide services and resources to entrepreneurs and businesses and, through collaboration with industry, academia, and government, help companies innovate and compete, thereby strengthening our nation in the global market. Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research The Connecticut SBIR Office helps Connecticut's small businesses learn about the funds available to them from the Federal Government's Three-Phase Program for eligible companies involved with technology innovation. Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development The State's agency for the implementation and development of policies, strategies and programs designed to improve Connecticut's communities and business and housing environments. Connecticut Small Business Development Center Small Business Development Centers provide a wide range of assistance and technical support to strengthen business performance and sustainability. These services are provided to both small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Program The CT Procurement Technical Assistance Program provides marketing and procurement assistance to businesses interested in selling their goods or services to Federal, state, or local governments. Provides strategic capital and operational insight to drive the frontiers of high-tech industries such as energy, biotechnology, information technology and photonics. They are undertaking statewide efforts to provide state residents with clean energy alternatives through the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Law Clinic Students are provided with the unique opportunity to counsel Connecticut's innovators on an extensive range of intellectual property and related business law issues. It has a broad-based commitment to clinical education and is dedicated to serving the people of Connecticut. Connecticut Development Authority The CDA provides debt financing and investment capital to help businesses grow in Connecticut. They stimulate business investment and create jobs by financing various companies and projects. Local ResourcesHartford Economic Development Corporation HEDCO works in tandem with the Greater Hartford Business Development Corp. to stimulate economic development in the Hartford Metropolitan Area by collaborating with concerned public and private organizations to help start, finance, retain, and recruit small businesses within the region's core city, Hartford, and its fifty-seven surrounding cities and towns. Connecticut Community Investment Corporation A nonprofit economic development lender that provides access to capital that may not be available elsewhere, as well as financing opportunities for expanding businesses looking to purchase real estate and/or machinery equipment. Community Economic Development Fund In addition to working with small businesses, CEDF provides technical assistance and grants to community-based organizations working to improve their neighborhoods. Small businesses cannot operate in a vacuum but need safe and attractive places to operate. CEDF provides grants for community-based economic development projects that stabilize and enhance neighborhoods. The Entrepreneurial Center provides self-assessment workshops for existing and prospective business owners, business management workshops, and general assistance, advice, and support for new and prospective business ventures. The Women's Business Development Center Connecticut The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is a nonprofit micro-enterprise development organization whose goal is to increase economic independence for women. This is accomplished through Small Business and Professional Development Training-specifically, small business and micro-enterprise training, career assistance, networking, and access to applicable resources. National Association of Small Business Investment Companies The National Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NASBIC) is the professional association for the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) industry. NASBIC is the oldest organization of venture capitalists in the world. Formed just months after the passage of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, NASBIC has played a pivotal role in promoting the growth and vitality of the private equity industry and small business for more than half a century. Service Corps of Retired Executives SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Connecticut Economic Development Association The Connecticut Economic Development Association, CEDAS, is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to advancing the practice and process of economic development in Connecticut. |