Business Assistance News from Newtown EDC

September 2011 | Issue 3

Greetings!

The Newtown Economic Development Commission wants to be sure that Newtown's business leaders are aware of the programs that have been put into place to assist with any lasting impacts from damage and power interruptions that were caused by Tropical Storm Irene. Additionally, I am excited to pass along information about Startup Weekend Hartford scheduled for September 23 - 25th in Hartford. Please read on to learn more.

Elizabeth Stocker, AICP
Director of Economic and Community Development

Business Assistance Program for Companies Affected by Hurricane Irene

Businesses sustaining damage from Irene will be eligible for assistance, including bridge financing and loans covering uninsured losses, through the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).

Highlights include:

Loans of up to $200,000 to companies for storm-related damage, including property, machinery and equipment, and working capital;
Loan guarantees of up to $200,000 will be provided to banks and other lenders to spur local lending to businesses impacted by the storm;
Grants will be available to businesses for assistance in disaster recovery, such as temporary help and training; and
Technical assistance, linking businesses to a wide array of state and federal resources.

Agricultural businesses are eligible for funding.

Information for all services can be accessed through www.DECD.org or by calling 860-270-8215.

Learn more online...

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open Across the State

Centers will assist individuals and business owners who have been affected by Tropical Storm Irene

Those with damage or losses as a result of the tropical storm are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting the recovery center by either calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), going online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by using any PDA device at m.fema.gov.

For more information visit CBIA or read Gov. Malloy's full statement.

Federal Disaster Loans from the SBA

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has funding available to assist homeowners, renters, and businesses with federal disaster loans.

Connecticut Declaration Fact Sheet

Tropical Storm Irene Survivors in Connecticut can Apply for SBA Assistance Press Release

The application filing deadline for physical property damage is November 3, 2011, and June 4, 2012 for economic injury.

Startup Weekend Hartford Debuts September 23

Hartford Public Library

500 Main Street, Hartford

Registration $99

Space is limited.

Come join the communities finest and launch a new startup! Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

For more information, visit the website or
call 860-728-2284 or 860-243-9896 x. 201

Newtown's commercial property owners may be eligible for Regional Brownfield funds

Newtown is a member of the Regional Brownfields Partnership of West Central Connecticut (RBP). The Valley Council of Governments, through the RBP, oversees and conducts a range of assistance activities across a 25-town region for the identification, assessment and remediation of Brownfields sites. As a member, Newtown is eligible to access funding from RBP's various programs, including EPA site assessment grants and economic development loans for investigation and remediation for both public and privately-owned sites.

If you are a property owner of a contaminated commercial or industrial property in Newtown and would like to explore the options that are available to help clean up that property, you are encouraged to contact Elizabeth Stocker at 203-270-4271 in the Newtown Economic & Community Development office for more information.

Learn more online...