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State Programs for Businesses Relief

To support our small business and nonprofit customers during this unprecedented time, we are maintaining a list of state resources available to you for business relief.

You may qualify for the following:

  • You may take advantage of both state and federal programs
  • If you've already applied for a state program but learn that a federal program works better for you, you can cancel, but make sure you have the federal money in hand first
  • If you apply for more than one state program, the amounts awarded under one program could impact the amounts awarded under another

Capital for Change (C4C)

C4C offers loans to to nonprofit organizations that contribute to the well-being of their communities.

  • Loans from $50,000 to $200,000
  • Loans for working capital, fixed asset acquisition, financing commercial real estate and leasehold improvements
  • Additional programs for small businesses

View C4C programs

Connecticut Innovations (CI) Loan Programs

CI offers loans to small and entrepreneurial Connecticut businesses that need financing and cannot be approved by a bank without assistance.

  • Loans up to $500,000
  • CI provides the bank with a first loss guaranty from 30 to 50 percent (up to a maximum amount of $150,000), depending on the loan amount
  • Loans can be used for most business purposes, including working capital, machinery and equipment and purchasing or upgrading facilities

View CI loan programs

Community Investment Corporation (CIC) Loan Programs

CIC is an economic development lender that provides financing and support to small businesses in Connecticut. Loans are available for:

  • MicroNow Loans up to $15,000
  • MicroLoans up to $50,000
  • Community Advantage Loans up to $200,000
  • SBA 504 Loans up to $5 million

View CIC programs

Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF)

CEDF provides loans and other support to small businesses in low-to-moderate income towns and cities in Connecticut.

  • Term loans up to $250,000
  • Owner-occupied commercial real estate loans up to $500,000
  • Lines of credit up to $250,000

View CEDF programs

Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO) Loan Programs

HEDCO provides eligible Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits with access to capital via 10 different flexible, affordable loans and lines of credit.

  • Amounts up to $200,000
  • Interest rates from 3% to 7%
  • Terms from 1 to 10 years

View HEDCO programs

Middlesex County Revitalization Commission (MCRC)

MCRC provides provides low-interest loans and matching grants to small and mid-sized businesses in Middlesex County to encourage and stimulate economic development in the area. Programs include:

  • Revolving Loan Fund ($10,000 - $100,000)
  • Job Creation Incentive Loan ($10,000 -  $300,000)
  • Job Creation Matching Grant ($10,000 - $100,000)

View MCRC programs

Northeast Connecticut Economic Alliance (NECA) Loans

The Northeast Connecticut Economic Alliance provides loans to businesses in northeast Connecticut.

  • Loans up to $50,000
  • Larger loans available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

View NCEA programs

Partnership Loan Program for Minority- and Women-Owned Small Businesses in the New Haven Area

HEDCO, Inc., The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the City of New Haven and The Amour Propre Fund are collaborating to provide financial relief and recovery resources to minority-owned and women-owned small businesses.

Qualifying small business with 20 or fewer employees  may apply for a 4% term loan for up to $25,000. 

Businesses must be in New Haven, Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, West Haven or Woodbridge

Learn more

Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA)

SAMA provides loans and support to Latino-owned small businesses in Connecticut. 

  • Loans and lines of credit from $1,000 - $100,000
  • Loans designed to encourage job growth and stimulate small and mid-size businesses

View SAMA programs

Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) Loans

seCTer provides loans and support to small and medium-sized businesses in New London County. Loans can be used to help you expand your business, upgrade machinery and equipment and/or relocate to New London County.

View seCTer programs

Waterbury Development Corporation (WDC) Loans

WDC provides loans and other support to Waterbury small businesses.

View WDC programs

Connecticut Innovations (CI) Grant Programs

CI is a quasi-public organization that serves as Connecticut’s strategic venture capital arm. It offers several grant programs including:

  • Growth Company Grants up to $25,000
  • Entrepreneur Innovation Award Grants up to $10,000
  • Technology Talent Bridge Grants to hire interns
  • Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program grant support

View CI grant programs

Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Fund Voucher Program

Connecticut manufacturers can apply for grants of up to $75,000 to assist in the production of critical equipment and supplies needed to respond to the COVID-19 emergency.

Grants can be used for working capital, new equipment, and other purposes that help companies build capacity or repurpose their operations, with a 6-month extension available per request

Funding for this short-term program is limited to $1.3 million and requires a one-to-one match from participating businesses

What you need to apply:

  • 3-300 full-time employees
  • A proposed project value of at least $10,000
  • A manufacturing facility in Connecticut or be relocating operations to Connecticut
  • Be registered for at least 3 years and currently generating revenue
  • 51% or more of the company's revenue must be generated from the sale of goods the applicant manufactures or from allied services provided to manufacturers
  • Evidence of your ability to meet the required funding match
  • A project quote from a vendor or service provider
  • A facilities or equipment list
  • A budget form for your project

To discuss assistance with the funding match, call Paul Striebel at 860-282-4231.

Where to apply:

Complete an application at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology website

Filing deadlines for certain annual tax returns due on or after March 15, 2020, and before June 1, 2020, are extended by at least 30 days. In addition, the payments associated with these returns are also extended to the corresponding due date in June.

This is an automatic extension. You do not need to apply for anything.

Impacted tax returns:

2019 Form CT-1065/CT-1120 SI Connecticut Pass-Though Entity Tax Return

  • Filing date: Extended to April 15, 2020
  • Payment deadline: Extended to June 15, 2020

2019 Form CT-990T Connecticut Unrelated Business Income Tax Return

  • Filing date: Extended to June 15, 2020
  • Payment deadline: Extended to June 15, 2020

2019 Form CT-1120 and CT-1120CU Connecticut Corporation Business Return

  • Filing date: Extended to June 15, 2020
  • Payment deadline: Extended to June 15, 2020

Resources

Contact the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services at DRS@po.state.ct.us or 860-297-5962.

Business Development Center

Information about all federal and state programs available to small businesses

Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA)

Connecticut Government

SkillUp CT

This at-home learning program offers free online job training and access to 5,000 courses in information technology (IT), business analysis, customer service and project management and more.

Learn more

Connecticut COVID-19 Emergency Response Unit

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources.

For support, contact them at 860-500-2333.