Governor Rell: State’s Outreach to Businesses

Continues with Five More Sessions

Initiative Already having Positive Impact, Employers Say

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state’s highly successful outreach effort dubbed “Connecticut’s Business Connections” will continue with five more scheduled workshops.

            With the national economic slump taking a toll on Connecticut, Governor Rell last fall directed the Department of Economic and Community Development to increase awareness of Connecticut’s business assistance programs so that employers would know where to turn if they needed help navigating the harsh economic climate.

            “Enduring an economic crisis that is now responsible for thousands of job losses and a record number of business closings takes a partnership between Connecticut’s employers and state government,” Governor Rell said. “It is vital that our businesses know there are state resources available to help them compete, grow, and prosper. That is why I directed DECD to put together business advisors from all of our state agencies and economic development organizations – we want to make sure our business tools are at the ready, that people are cooperating on a regional level and that the state is working as closely as possible with local businesses, who are the real engines of our economy.”

            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 DECD, Connecticut Innovations, the Connecticut Development Authority, Regional Revolving Loan Funds, ConnSTEP, and many more.

            Business leaders who have attended the four sessions held to date say they have been very productive – especially because all of the state’s resources are together in one place.

            “That’s what I found the most helpful,” said Tom Hall, president of Drill Masters-Eldorado Tool Inc. in Milford. “I went to the Wallingford event on the spur of the moment, just to check it out and see what’s available to business owners in the state. I was surprised to see so many agencies involved. Representatives from the Department of Labor, DECD, and others sat down with me to discuss several different aspects regarding how my business can grow in Connecticut. I was really pleased with the information available, and I think it will be very useful for my needs in the future.”

            More than 160 people have attended the sessions held so far, receiving support on financing programs, market development, technology upgrades, labor training and other programs tailored to their business needs.

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

·        February 17: 9 a.m.-noon, Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington

·        March 3: 9 a.m.-noon, Veteran Memorial Clubhouse, 100 Sunset Ridge Drive, East Hartford

·        March 18: 9 a.m.-noon, Wachovia Bank Building, 2^nd floor, 900 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton

·        March 31: 9 a.m.-noon, Western Connecticut State University, Ancell School of Business, President’s Room, 218, Mill Plain Road, Danbury

·        April 9: 9 a.m.-noon, Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut Building, 173 Interstate Lane, Waterbury