Resources for Business & Growth
Do you need help in financing the expansion of your business, or could you use assistance in obtaining funds for working capital or some other new business venture? Do you need help in writing a business plan? Do you have problems trying to find people to fill available positions or find that there is a lack of trade skills in today’s workforce? These resources can help.
Here is a list of useful links for entrepreneurs seeking to start or grow a business:
State of Connecticut One-Stop Business Portal: businesss.CT.gov
Create a custom check-list of your steps to starting a business in Connecticut. View taxes and forms, licenses and permits, update your registration information, and register new employees. Find business assistance from the state and other organizations.
Are you thinking of taking the next step and opening your own small business? Are you newly in business but need some support? The East Hartford Public Library held four virtual programs in May and June of 2021 providing information for anyone interested in starting their own business or who has started a small business and wants to learn more about what it takes to be successful. Click here for links to watch each session on YouTube.
Loopnet is a resource for available commercial property listings in East Hartford. CERC also maintains databases of available buildings and available sites in East Hartford.
The East Hartford Public Library provides services to support business growth. Digital navigators at the East Hartford Public Library can connect small businesses owners in East Hartford with reliable, high speed broadband internet in their homes, devices, and digital skills. Digital navigators can help business owners understand the tools to be competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace at no cost, in one-on-one meetings where we work at your speed and teach what you need to know to meet your goals. Beyond digital navigation, access free online resources with your East Hartford library card to help your business grow, including Gale Legal Forms and Consumer Reports. The library also offers small business support programming in partnership with the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce and other partners. For the current lineup of events, visit the library’s online calendar.
This federal government resource helps connect business owners with services and relevant information from many different government agencies.
Capitol Region Development Authority (CRDA)
CRDA was created in 2012 to help realize the full economic potential of the greater Hartford region. It manages Rentschler Field in East Hartford as well as the CT Convention Center and XL Center in Hartford. It also helps to finance new development and to promote the region.
CCAT - Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology
CCAT is a nonprofit organization based in East Hartford that helps businesses with issues including workforce development, cybersecurity, energy efficiency, and adopting new technologies, has advanced manufacturing facilities that may be utilized by manufacturers requiring special capabilities, and promotes careers in manufacturing.
This is the state's new centralized location for learning about all the state has to offer for businesses and residents. The site includes a page with resources for those interested in Doing Business in Connecticut. Visit to learn about resources for businesses of all sizes and sectors, tax incentives, accessing and developing talent, networks of support, and other assets for starting or growing a business in the state.
Community Economic Development Fund
The Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is an independent non-profit organization that provides micro loans and real estate financing to small businesses that may have difficulty gaining financing from traditional banks. They also provide guidance and other resources to small business owners.
Connecticut Brownfields Redevelopment Authority
Connecticut offers up-front grants to developers and business owners who redevelop brownfield sites. Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underutilized sites where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental risk. Learn more about East Hartford's brownfield redevelopment efforts here.
Connecticut Business and Industry Association
CBIA is the largest statewide business organization in the country. CBIA can update you and your employees on state or federal laws affecting your business; give you expert advice on personnel issues, taxes, and safety and environmental regulations; and help you make use of the latest advances in business management.
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's (DECD) mission is to build better communities through sound economic development and to ensure a higher quality of life for people in communities across Connecticut. DECD assists businesses through a variety of tax credits, abatements, and exemptions including the Enterprise Zone, Railroad Depot Zone, and the Urban Jobs Program, all of which apply to specified areas in East Hartford. DECD also provides a variety of other economic resources and support systems for businesses. Explore some of their initiatives by clicking here.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
The State Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is dedicated to conserving, protecting and improving the natural resources and environment of the state. DEEP's site includes information on state laws and regulations effecting the environment, as well as downloadable versions of state environmental permits, licenses, and registrations.
Connecticut Economic Resource Center
The Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) is a public-private partnership that aims to increase economic vitality in the state through gathering and providing research-based data, planning, and implementation strategies to assist businesses. They provide Assistance and Information for people starting a business in Connecticut.
Connecticut Innovations (CII) is the State of Connecticut's leading investor in high technology, making risk capital investments in high-tech companies throughout the state. CII offers a wide range of support from research assistance to financing for product development and marketing.
Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce
Serving both East Hartford and Glastonbury, this regional Chamber of Commerce provides networking opportunities, professional development resources, topical seminars, and other events to connect and promote the local business community.
Connecticut Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center provides professional, individual consulting in all areas of business management, including such areas as pre-venture feasibility, the business plan, marketing, record-keeping, financial planning, production, preparation of financial documentation for loan packaging and general management. These services are provided by the CSBDC staff of full-time, professional business consultants, as well as CSBDC network of University of Connecticut faculty and members of the business community.
CONNSTEP is a consulting firm that assists businesses in continuously improve efficiency, manage resources, and improve customer satisfaction. They are an affiliate of CBIA and operate as Connecticut's Manufacturing Extension Center under the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.
CPACE - an energize CT program
East Hartford is among over 50 Connecticut municipalities that are now taking advantage of a financial tool that promotes energy efficiency and clean energy projects. This special financing is available to commercial and industrial property owners as well as owners and developers of multi-family properties with five or more units and non-profits. For more details visit c-pace.com.
Entrepreneurial Center and Women's Business Center at the University of Hartford
The University of Hartford has opened a new outpost at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology at 222 Pitkin Street in East Hartford for their resources for any small business and especially for female entrepreneurs. They can help with mentoring, writing business plans, managing finances, and other aspects of beginning a new business venture.
Free Energy Audits - Office of Energy Efficient Business
The Connecticut Office of Energy Efficient Businesses (OEEB), administered by East Hartford's CCAT, works with businesses to identify energy cost savings from energy efficiency work, energy procurement, fuel switching, and use of renewables.
Business owners can contact OEEB to schedule an assessment at 860-291-8832 oroeeb@ccat.us. OEEB also has web sites in English and Spanish. Business owners and homeowners looking to reduce their energy costs should go to www.energizeCT.com or call 1-877-WISE USE (947-3873).
Fundamentals of Municipal Economic Development
This presentation from CERC, CEDAS, CT Main Street Center, and MetroHartford Alliance provides an introduction to best practices in economic development with a focus on East Hartford.
The Hartford Business Journal is a weekly publication that covers news about the business community in the Hartford region. They also send daily emails that aggregate business news from multiple sources across Connecticut.
The MetroHartford Alliance acts as the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Hartford and the greater Hartford region. It works to attract businesses, capital, and talent to the area. It helps businesses compile demographic and market data, provides site location assistance, acts as a liaison to government, and provides workforce training and incentive programs (including the MetroHartford Growth Fund).
This pamphlet details the State of Connecticut's resources for advanced manufacturing businesses, including assistance for purchasing specialized equipment, cultivating skilled workers, and maximizing operational efficiencies.
SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE can teach you "How to write a proposal", "Help you find money for your business", or sit down with you to answer some questions.
SBA provides financial, technical and management assistance to help start, run, and grow businesses. Services include providing a wide array of advisory resources, including how to create a Business Plan, and serve as a loan guarantor for small businesses.
Women's Business Development Council
WBDC is the leader in entrepreneurial and financial training for women in Connecticut. They host workshops, provide individual training and have mentors for one-on-one coaching to help you start and grow your business in CT.
If you have any comments or questions on these sites or have any suggestions, please call our Economic Development Coordinator at (860) 291-7299.