STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101

Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/

"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment."

Connecticut Small Business Development Center
University of Connecticut
Small Business Development Center
2100 Hillside Rd. Unit 1094, Storrs, CT 06269-1094
Phone: (860) 486-4135
Fax: (860) 486-1576
URL: http://www.business.uconn.edu/csbdc/

• Links to Area Centers
  URL: http://www.business.uconn.edu/csbdc/offices.html

"Our mission is to assist in the creation and growth of small business in Connecticut. Based at the University of Connecticut School of Business, the CSBDC provides one-on-one counseling as well as group training programs at regional locations around the state. Our regional offices are staffed by professional business counselors who provide one-on-one counseling without charge to Connecticuts small business community."

Connecticut Community Investment Corporation
100 Crown Street, New Haven
Toll Free # (866-776-6172)
Fax # (203 776-6837)
E-mail: loans@ctcic.org
URL: http://www.ctcic.org/

"The Corporation's mission is to promote the industrial and commercial development of the State of Connecticut by aiding and assisting the expansion of existing industry, commerce, and local entrepreneurship through the rendering of consulting, technical, educational, and financial assistance."

Connecticut Development Authority
999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: (860) 258-7800
Fax: (860) 257-7582
E-mail: CDAInfo@po.state.ct.us
URL: http://www.cda.state.ct.us/

"The CDA provides financing to businesses when private-sector lenders cannot."

Connecticut Economic Resource Center
805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3405
Phone: (860) 571-7136
Fax: (860) 571-7150
Toll-free: (800) 392-2122
URL: http://www.cerc.com

"Only CERC offers economic development professionals proven expertise and a complete range of services. We're your single source for assistance with everything from strategic planning and data gathering to implementation and follow-up."

Connecticut Enterprise Center
CW Resources, Inc., 200 Myrtle Street, New Britain, CT 06053 USA
Phone: (860) 229-7700
Fax: (860) 229-6847
E-mail: bristol@cwresources.org
URL: http://www.cwresources.org/cec.htm

"The Connecticut Enterprise Center is a small business "incubator" -- a facility in which a variety of new and growing businesses operate; sharing services, equipment and experiences with other startup entrepreneurs."

Connecticut Individual Development Account Initiative
URL: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ida/idahome.htm

• Links to Individual Development Accounty Programs in CT
  URL: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ida/dir/idainct.html
  

CONNSTEP, Inc.
Suite 202, 1090 Elm Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Phone: (860) 529-5120
In CT: (800) 266-6672
Fax: (860) 529-5001
URL: http://www.connstep.org/

"The Connecticut State Technology Extension Program (CONNSTEP) , was established in 1994, based on a 1993 pilot effort conducted through The University of Connecticut, with direct support from The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). CONNSTEP operates 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."

Cooperative Fund of New England
PO Box 412, Hartford, CT 06141-0412
Phone: (910) 395-6008 or (800) 818-7833
Fax: (910) 397-2857
E-mail: rebcfne@wilmington.net or E-mail: rebcfne@wilmington.net
URL: http://www.cooperativefund.org

"The Cooperative Fund of New England is a community development loan fund that is a bridge between socially responsible investors and cooperatives, community oriented non-profits, and worker-owned business in New England. Loan program for cooperatives and low-income, cworker-owned businesses."

Department of Economic and Community Development
State of Connecticut, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 566-1849
E-mail: DECD@po.state.ct.us
URL: http://www.ct.gov/ecd/site/default.asp

"The Department of Economic and Community Development is the state agency responsible for promoting economic growth. Our ambitious agenda of economic and community development initiatives aims to create long-term economic well-being for Connecticut citizens. DECD develops strategies and programs to attract and retain businesses and jobs, revitalize neighborhoods and communities, ensure quality housing, and foster appropriate development in Connecticut’s cities and towns."

The Entrepreneurial Center
The Career Counseling Center at Hartford College for Women (University of Hartford)
50 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: (860) 768-5681
Fax: (860) 768-5622
E-mail entrectr@mail.hartford.edu
URL: http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/CCCHCW/Entrepreneurial_Center.html

"The mission of The Entrepreneurial Center is to help people achieve financial independence through self-employment. Since 1985, The Entrepreneurial Center has been training women and men to start their own businesses. Aspiring entrepreneurs of all income levels are encouraged to participate. Our unique training program develops the business, as well as the business owner, leading to a high rate of successful small business start ups. Services are available on a sliding scale to eligible individuals."

Hartford Economic Development Corporation
935 West State Street, Hartford, WI 53027
Phone: (262) 673-7009
Fax: (262) 673-4651
URL: http://www.hadc.org/

"Loans to AFDC, low and moderate income residents. Loans available from $1,500 to $20,000."

Help Starting a Business
Get FREE, confidential, business assistance and licensing information.
Phone: (800) 392-2122
URL: http://www.ct-clic.com/business/BizCenter.htm

Loaves and Fishes Ministries Inc.
360 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: (860) 524-1730
Fax: (860) 249-2871
E-mail: lemin@msn.com
URL: http://www.volunteersolutions.org/volunteer/agency/one_170971.html

University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service
Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut
1376 Storrs Road, U-21, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-4021
E-mail: bwilbur@canr1.cag.uconn.edu
URL: http://www.canr.uconn.edu/ces/index.html

"The CES mission is to aid in developing people and their resources, protecting the environment and guiding agriculture through practical education."

Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)
Programs and Services
400 Main Street, Suite 500, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: (203)353-1750
Fax: (203) 353-1084
E-mail: Info@CTWBDC.org
URL: http://www.ctwbdc.org/index.html

"The Women's Business Development Center is a not-for-profit organization, established in 1998, that promotes economic development through entrepreneurship. The WBDC offers comprehensive business education and increased access to financial resources as essential business tools to economic independence. The WBDC offers myriad programs to meet the needs of aspiring, emerging and established entrepreneurs. One-to-one counseling, long-term training, workshops and symposiums are offered on virtually every aspect of establishing and growing a small business."