Business Resources

How do I start my business? is one of the most frequently asked questions that we regularly get at the Chamber.

Starting a Food-Based Business - CT Department of Consumer Protection

License, Permit, and Registration Forms - CT Department of Consumer Protection

One-Stop Shop for your new CT Business: Espanol | English

Meriden Department of Economic & Community Development: Joe Feest, Director

CT Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in English | in Espanol

Information on getting an Employer EIN Number in English | in Espanol

For Connecticut tax information - Espanol | English

Visit our Community and Business Partners for Specific Resources:

The Black Business Alliance (BBA), is a 501c6 non-profit membership organization; which seeks to EMPOWER, GUIDE, PROMOTE, ENHANCE, COLLABORATE and GROW small and medium sized black and minority businesses throughout Connecticut and Nationally by addressing the gap in business access to funding, educational resources and statewide capacity building.

CEDF Free Online Courses for small business owners. Check out their available resources!

CT Department of Economic and Community Development: The state's lead agency for the development and implementation of policies, strategies and programs designed to enhance CT's communities and business/housing environments.

CT Women's Business Development Council: The mission of the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. From starting or growing a business to increasing income, the Women’s Business Development Council drives business success in a tangible and accessible way.

C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) is a public-private partnership enabled by state law and financed with private capital that finances sustainability improvements to CRE such as: energy efficiency, water conservation, seismic resiliency and wildfire hardening. C-PACE financing can also be used to fund portions of “green” new construction in some jurisdictions. C-PACE finances these measures with long-term, fixed-rate financing, generally on a non-recourse basis. The structure exists because the state and local municipalities view these improvements as a public benefit, akin to how a sewer improvement would benefit the public.

CTNext has programs and resources that can help transform your idea into reality, can help you grow when need resources, and can assist scaling your business to the next level and beyond. There is NO FEE to register and become a member of this organization.

Economic Development Resources

Goldman Sachs Small Business Program: FREE small business education program to help you succeed!

SCORE of New Haven: Get a FREE business mentor, access trainings and webinars, volunteer and give back. Whatever stage your business is in, you will find something here to help you out!

Small Business Development Center- Meriden. Provides small businesses and entrepreneurs a wide array of support.

SAMA - Spanish American Merchants Association. In 1982, several dedicated Hispanic business owners and Hispanic community leaders realized the enormous potential of the Hispanic business community in the City of Hartford and envisioned the need to be organized to represent its interests before the government and private sectors.

U.S. Small Business Administration: access their resources directly!