BUILD YOUR BUSINESS
REOPEN RESOURCES
Find information, support and tools for doing business in Stafford.
CT Business Reopening and Recovery Center
This is your one-stop resource to help your business prepare, rebuild, and grow during the State’s emergency Coronavirus response. Connecticut businesses will be allowed to reopen in planned phases. But before you can open your doors, you must self-certify that you are following strict safety guidelines to keep your employees and customers safe. Find top business resources and guidance.
Masks for Essential Small Businesses
Limited quantities of masks are available free to employers with 50 or fewer employees considered essential businesses as designated by the state. Eligible businesses can request a maximum of two masks per employee through this website. Orders will be fulfilled via Stafford Emergency Management Pickup, while supplied last, with instructions for pickup to following your form submission. business.ct.gov/recovery
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
Main Street America
Federal guidelines and programs to Main Street program support and small business resources.www.mainstreet.org, Main Street America is compiling existing resources and opportunities to help Main Street districts during this crisis. mainstreet.org
AdvanceCT
AdvanceCT recently sent the following links with two important surveys regarding Connecticut’s reopening. This is the opportunity to influence Connecticut’s reopening guidelines. The first is a Small Business Reopening Survey for business owners. The second is a Worker Sentiment Survey, which we hope you will forward to your employees. For business owners, we would like to identify your pain points and for employees, we would like insight into their concerns about going back to work. The personal information requested in this survey is optional. If you choose to share your details with us, they will be kept confidential and only used by AdvanceCT to communicate reopening related updates to you. advancect.org
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Find information, support and tools for doing business in Stafford.
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
The Department of Economic and Community Development is the state’s lead agency responsible for strengthening Connecticut’s competitive position in the rapidly-changing, knowledge-based global economy. The agency takes a comprehensive approach to economic development that incorporates community development, transportation, education and arts and culture. ct.gov
The Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF)
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1994. Their purpose is to provide resources and assistance to serve the economic needs of the small businesses in low-to-moderate income towns and cities throughout Connecticut. We offer Connecticut businesses customized financial solutions to achieve their greatest potential. cedf.com
Connecticut Economic Resources Center (CERC)
CERC works with businesses of all sizes – from local to global – to help them start, expand or relocate in Connecticut. Through our “concierge” support, we link companies to appropriate municipal, regional, state or federal programs to grow their business, and provide support to the state’s business recruitment and retention efforts. In addition, CERC has relationships with the commercial and industrial real estate community, including brokers, developers and related firms. cerc.com
Connecticut Innovations
We are Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm and the leading source of financing and ongoing support for innovative, growing companies. See who we help, the many ways we can support you, and the partnerships you can forge as your company grows. ctinnovations.com
Connecticut Small Business Development Center
The Connecticut Small Business Development Center offers expert assistance at no cost to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Main street businesses, high-tech firms, venture-backed companies, solo-preneurs, world-class organizations, veteran, woman, and minority entrepreneurs – the CTSBDC has worked with a variety of businesses in all industries and stages of development. ctsbdc.com
Mills Making Places of Connecticut
Resources of Mill Owners & Developers: A variety of programs at the municipal, state, and federal levels offer assistance to help move forward the redevelopment of historic mills and factories. The resources outlined below are intended to provide useful information, however you should contact the administering entities directly for details on currently available programs. connecticutmills.org
Tolland Country Chamber of Commerce
The Tolland County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that promotes the economic and civic vitality of Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon and Willington. tollandcountychamber.org
U.S. Small Business Administration - Funding Programs
The 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. sba.gov