Resources for Small Businesses in Connecticut

There are numerous agencies and associations that provide support to help businesses get started and grow to the next level. Below are just a few of the most helpful sites for business owners.

CERC- The Connecticut Economic Resource Center offers personal and on-line assistance to small businesses. See especially the CERC Program Finder online which is a searchable database of business-assistance programs or call Connecticut's Business Response Center (BRC) during business hours for explanations and referrals for most federal, state, regional, municipal and private programs, incentives and resources for licensing, financing, counseling and more 1-800-392-2122.
www.cerc.com/resources.html

CSBDC- The Connecticut Small Business Development Center assists in creating and growing Connecticut's small businesses. Regional offices are staffed by professional business counselors who provide FREE one-on-one counseling, business training and educational workshops throughout the state.
www.sbdc.uconn.edu

MERG- The MicroEnterprise Resource Group is a statewide network uniting a number of service providers dedicated to supporting owner-operated businesses. MERG's mission is to strengthen the resources for microenterprise in the state of Connecticut through cooperation, advocacy, and education.
www.mergct.org

SBA- The Small Business Administration Connecticut District Office helps to develop and support entrepreneurs through a vast network of resource partners.
www.sba.gov/ct

SCORE- Free and confidential small business advice to help you build your business—from idea to start-up to success.
www.score.org

Local Chamber of Commerce
www.officialusa.com/stateguides/chambers/connecticut.html

Specifically for Women Business Owners, check out:

NAWBO- The National Association of Women Business Owners and the Connecticut Chapter are dedicated to propelling women business owners into economic, social and political power.
www.nawbo.org
www.nawboct.org

PCSW- The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women provides valuable research and analysis to the CT Legislature and state leaders regarding women and women business owners.
www.cga.ct.gov/pcsw

WBDC- The Women’s Business and Development Center provides small business and micro-enterprise training, career assistance, networking, and access to applicable resources.
www.ctwbdc.org