|
|
|
BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE
|
Business New Haven
10/7/1996
By: BNH
|
There is a wealth of informationAL resources available to business owners seeking to learn more about planning, procuring, marketing, exporting and more - many on a low or no-cost basis.
Planning/
Growing Your Business
In addition to the Connecticut Small Business Development Centers (see Business Planning), the state's Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD, 800-392-2122) offers site-selection assistance to small businesses seeking new or expanded facilities. DECD also works with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to advise businesses, particularly start-ups, on how to write a business plan, create an effective marketing strategy and develop financial projections. SCORE also offers regular workshops for prospective business owners. Many chambers of commerce offer business development seminars and networking gatherings and can direct you to the nearest SCORE office.
For established businesses, the Connecticut Small Business Federation (860-677-2000) provides counseling to members on employee compensation, tax laws, workers compensation, and also offers a group insurance plan. New and existing businesses in the New Haven area can also contract private consultants who specialize in business planning. Among these are Riviera & Riviera, J.R. Alvarez, and the Rampart Group in Hamden.
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) makes available consulting and support services to members. Areas covered include research and international trade, on-site and telephone consulting on personnel issues, and legislative and regulatory affairs of concern to businesses. Annual dues for CBIA are based on payroll dollar amounts and range start at $170 a year for a businesses with payroll under $100,000. For more information on CBIA activities and services, contact CBIA's Small Business Council office at 860-244-1900.
Procuring Government Contracts
By law, 25 percent of all state purchases of goods and services must be set aside for small firms (less than $10 million in annual revenues). One quarter of this 25 percent must be set aside for firms owned by minorities, women and the physically challenged. The DECD certifies companies as eligible contractors and provides information to companies interested in marketing within the state of Connecticut. Call 800-392-2122 to find out more about these set-aside programs.
The state operates three Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) to match businesses with federal, state and local government buyers. Other services such as marketing assistance, technical and operational planning, proposal development and preparation, foreign trade contracting opportunities and technical documentation support are also available through the PTACs.
The Technical Reinvestment Program, also offered through PTAC, is working to build a consortium of companies who manufacture products with dual uses - commercial and military. Contact the Science Park, New Haven PTAC at 203-786-5036.
Since the federal government is the world's biggest customer, marketing to Uncle Sam is savvy business practice. The SBA's only Government Contracting Assistance office is in New Haven. It conducts two-and-a-half-hour workshops twice monthly that are free for businesses seeking to market to the government. It also offers individual consulting for businesses which have taken the workshop, answering solicitation-stage questions and providing intermediary stage advice, before and after contracts are awarded. It will intervene in conflicts arising due to payment problems or other contractual issues. For businesses seeking municipal contracts, the purchasing director of the particular town is the person to contact. The office handles federal contracts only and can be reached by calling 203-773-2398.
Support For Technology Firms
The Connecticut Business and Technology Center (CBTC) is a centralized resource and assistance center at Science Park in New Haven. Its primary purpose is to match companies with state funding programs but also offers information referrals for business planning and development. It can be reached at 203-786-5000.
The Institute for Industrial and Engineering Technology (IIET) in New Britain houses five centers dedicated to building the Connecticut economy by providing competitive advantages to businesses through networking, training in manufacturing and operational systems, productivity seminars and process-enhancement. The IIET was established in 1992 as an outreach center for entrepreneurs and manufacturers in need of product development assistance, manufacturing and marketing support. It is affiliated with Central Connecticut State University and funded by the state. While the initial consult and/or visit to your firm by an IIET program director is free, contracts for full needs-analysis, training or process improvement run from $1,000 to $5,000. Even companies with just an idea for a product can obtain technical assistance on how to produce and bring it to market. Call 860-827-4478.
Export Resources
Connecticut companies exported $6.5 billion in products and services in 1995, with exports accounting for some 95,890 jobs, according to estimates from the Department of Economic & Community Development.
Export seminars and classes held at the International Business Center at Teikyo Post University in Waterbury provide a means for companies to prepare for and advance themselves in the global marketplace. Upcoming programs include international market planning, global business strategy, international financial arrangements. Training is also provided on finance, legal, cultural and transportation issues related to exporting and international management. The IBC is co-sponsored by the Bank of Boston Connecticut, the SBA, the Connecticut World Trade Association as well as other state and local agencies. Information is available by calling 203-596-4681.
The Connecticut World Trade Association (CWTA), 330 Water St., Bridgeport 06604 serves the state and develops international trade opportunities. CWTA is a member of the of the World Trade Centers Association, which maintains 276 offices in 81 countries worldwide. Call 203-336-5353.
A program known as Inter Trade, co-sponsored by the United Illuminating Co. and the Connecticut World Trade Association, is designed to help companies with less than $10 million in annual sales and fewer than 200 employees to boost sales to foreign buyers in the private and public sectors. CWTA also offers members a program to save 15 percent on pre-tax liability on export sales. The organization features speakers who address members on topics related to economic conditions and business opportunities worldwide. Call 203-336-5353.
The Connecticut Foreign Trade Association in Stamford directs the Foreign Trade Zone in Bridgeport. It can help businesses reduce duties on imported goods and offers advice on other Foreign Trade Zones. It offers referrals to customs brokers, freight forwarders, or the consulates of various countries for businesses seeking specific importing information or services. Call Lydia Gregor, 203-406-6628.
|
Go FirstGo PreviousGo
NextGo LastGo
to Index
|
|
