Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the economic development outreach program she launched, “Connecticut’s Business Connections,” will continue with four more scheduled workshops to link entrepreneurs with the many resources offered by the state to help keep and grow jobs.

 

Last fall Governor Rell directed the state’s economic development officials to aggressively market Connecticut’s business assistance programs so employers would know where to turn if they needed help coping with the global economic slump. Since then, the state has held a dozen “Business Connections” sessions, bringing more than 330 businesses together with state programs to provide financing, market development, technology upgrades, labor training and other business needs. Business leaders who have attended the sessions say they have been very productive, especially because all of the state’s resources are together in one place.

 

“Economists are starting to see some small bright spots in the world’s economy – but there is no question that for most of us the recession is still a painful reality,” Governor Rell said. “I want Connecticut’s business owners to know that we are here to help, no matter what the circumstances. Small businesses are our lifeblood – they create the vast majority of jobs in the state and spark much of our economic activity. In good times or bad, we will continue our efforts to improve Connecticut’s business climate by getting employers the information they need to compete, grow and prosper.”

 

The next workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, in Bristol. Additional sessions are planned for later this month as well as November and March. (See details below.)

 

These regional business connection sessions are being conducted in partnership with chambers of commerce across the state. They give employers an opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Innovations, the Connecticut Development Authority, Regional Revolving Loan Funds, ConnSTEP and many more.

 

The dates, locations and times for the next four sessions are: