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BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE
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Business New Haven
10/9/1995
By: BNH
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Some are well-known, others virtually unknown. But there is a wealth of information 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, the Department of Economic Development (DED) offers site-selection assistance to small businesses seeking new or expanded facilities. The DED 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 a number of workshops for 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 (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) offers consulting and support services to its 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 from $165 a year for a businesses with payroll under $100,000 to more than $2,300 for businesses with payrolls exceeding $1 million. For more information on CBIA activities and services, contact CBIA's Small Business Council office at 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 DED certifies companies as eligible contractors and provides information to companies interested in marketing to the state of Connecticut. Call 1-800-392-2122 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 use - commercial and military. Contact the Science Park, New Haven PTAC at 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 per month that are free of charge 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 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 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 827-4478.
Exporting
Connecticut companies exported $5.2 billion in products and services in 1992, with exports accounting for 160,300 jobs, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
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 events include a NAFTA Problem-Solving Workshop, language-instruction classes, international market planning and marketing to the ASEAN trade bloc. 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, and other state and local agencies. Information is available by calling 596-4681.
The Connecticut World Trade Association (CWTA) in Bridgeport serves the entire 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 around the world.
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 boost sales to foreign buyers in 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 336-5353.
The Connecticut Foreign Trade Association 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 335-3885.
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