Local Organizations and Resources:
Connecticut
Business & Industry Association (CBIA)
A statewide business advocacy organization, CBIA also offers seminars
and training programs.
Connecticut
Development Authority
Offers business assistance including direct and guaranteed loans
that enable and encourage companies to expand and succeed.
Connecticut
Innovations, Inc.
Makes equity investments in emerging Connecticut technology companies
and provides non-financial support to entrepreneurs.
Connecticut
Secretary of the State
The Commercial Recording Division files and maintains legally required
records showing the formation of and fundamental changes to corporations,
limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited
partnerships and other businesses that do business in Connecticut.
Connecticut
Small Business Development Center
A statewide organization funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration,
the University of Connecticut, and the private sector. The CSBDC
provides professional business counseling without charge to the
small and medium-sized business community. The closest offices to
Westport are in Stamford and Bridgeport.
Connecticut
State Technology Extension Program (CONNSTEP)
CONNSTEP's mission is to help Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced
manufacturing and management techniques.
SCORE:
Counselors to America's Small Business
Members of this resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration
offer free, confidential counseling to all U.S. citizens interested
in starting or expanding a business. The Fairfield County chapter
is located in Norwalk.
Smart
Start at Connecticut Licensing Information Center
Helps business owners identify their registration and licensing
requirements with appropriate Connecticut agencies and registers
the business with the agencies.
SWRPA
(South Western Regional Planning Agency)
Gathers demographic, economic and transportation statistics from
the U.S. Census Bureau, Connecticut Department of Health and other
agencies.
Women's
Business Development Center
This not-for-profit organization promotes economic development for
women through entrepreneurship. WBDC offers counseling, long-term
training and workshops on establishing and growing a small business.
You
Belong in Connecticut
Named for the state's umbrella slogan for economic development outreach
programs, this website is managed by the Connecticut Department
of Economic and Community Development. The "Doing Business
in CT" section is filled with information for entrepreneurs.
General Resources:
Business
Owner's Toolkit
A CCH, Inc. site that includes "The SoHo Guidebook", an
online book on starting, financing, managing and marketing a small
business; downloadable checklists, model business plans, forms;
and "Ask Alice", a small business online advice column.
Entrepreneur.com
(Magazine)
The online edition of the magazine.
EntreWorld.org
This Kauffmann Center Resources website presents articles and links
to other sites in the categories of "Starting Your Business",
"Growing Your Business", "Rapid Growth" and
"Supporting Entrepreneurship."
Fast
Company.com (Magazine)
The online edition of the magazine.
FindLaw
for Business
Extensive coverage of the legal aspects or starting and running
a small business.
inc.com
(Magazine)
The online edition of the magazine.
Small
Business Computing (Magazine)
Articles and advertisements on all types of computing equipment
used by small businesses.
U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Government agency devoted to promoting small business and
assisting new and existing small businesses to succeed and expand.
 |
Sylvia Schulman, Business Librarian |  |
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| Tel: 203-291-4844 | E-mail: sschulman@westportlibrary.org | |||
Last update: 8/07
dcelia@westportlibrary.org