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RESOURCES . . . .
to start, grow & innovate
State & Local Agencies/Organizations
Department of Economic and Community Development
Office of Business and Industry Development
505 Hudson St. Hartford, CT 06106-7107
(860) 270-8215 (860) 270-8055 fax
DECD develops strategies and programs, including financing and tax incentives, to attract and retain businesses and jobs, revitalize neighborhoods and communities, ensure quality housing, and foster appropriate development in Connecticut’s cities and towns.
City of Bridgeport
Office of Planning & Economic Development
999 Broad St. Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7221 (203) 332-5611 fax
The Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development's mission is to steer development to the city's strengths and maintain a mixed and varied economy while augmenting the vitality of existing neighborhoods. It seeks to maximize existing development resources, provide a nurturing environment for local businesses, offer the tools that encourage entrepreneurs, and strive for a clean, safe community with proactive, pro-business government practices.
Downtown Special Services District (DSSD)
10 Middle St. Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 335-3800 (203) 366-0105 fax
The DSSD promotes the general welfare of citizens and property owners of the city through the preservation, enhancement, protection and development of Bridgeport’s downtown.
Business Toolkit
FINANCING
U.S. Small Business Administration, Connecticut Office — Programs and services to help businesses become established, grow and succeed.
Community Capital Fund — Capital Fund facilitates the flow of capital and expertise into housing and economic development that benefits low- and moderate-income people in the Greater Bridgeport area. Provides financing for the acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction of rental housing units as well as financing for small businesses.
Community Economic Development Fund — The goal of the CEDF is to revitalize Connecticut’s distressed neighborhoods by providing greater access to capital, technical assistance to small businesses and support for community economic development.
Grow America Fund — The National Development Council's GAF provides SBA-guaranteed credit to small businesses in partnership with client communities throughout the country. It operates as a community development bank to support the creation or expansion of eligible small businesses in under-served urban or rural areas, and of minority- or women-owned business.
Connecticut Community Investment Corporation — Connecticut Community Investment Corporation (CTCIC) provides small business owners with access to capital that may not be available elsewhere, particularly through the SBA 504 program for business real estate and equipment. Also offers Micro Loans, Child Care Provider Loans and Defense Loans.
Connecticut Development Authority – The Connecticut Development Authority can provide direct loans, loan guarantees and loan participations. Programs are also available to finance the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated commercial or industrial properties. Several programs exist to finance or provide equity-equivalent investments to supplement capital needs of high-technology or information technology enterprises.
TAX INCENTIVES/INCENTIVE ZONES
State Tax Credits & Incentives - The State of Connecticut and local cities and towns offer a wide variety of tax incentives that encourage businesses investment.
HUBZONE Contracting Program — This federal program provides contracting preferences to businesses located within historically disadvantaged urban areas. Nineteen census tracts make up Bridgeport’s HUBZone.
Foreign Trade Zone — Most foreign and domestic material or merchandise may be moved into a FTZ without being subject to U.S. customs duties on that merchandise. Bridgeport has FTZ 76, located in six buildings and sites within the city of Bridgeport. The entire Bridgeport FTZ contains nearly 500 acres. For more information call the Bridgeport Port Authority, Federal Trade Zone Administrator 203-576-7179.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS
CT Small Business Development Center — Sponsored by the federal SBA, the SBDC provides business advice through professional no-cost counseling, seminars, technical assistance and education for business owners and entrepreneurs in one-on-one or group training environments throughout the state.
Greater Bridgeport Connecticut SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) — Provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of small businesses.
CT Licensing Center — Assists with licensing, permitting and business registration requirements.
CT Department of Revenue Services -- State tax department's business page.
Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) — PTAP matches products and/or services with government bids, registers businesses with government procurement agencies and assists with proposal and bid preparation. PTAP can also assist in contract negotiations, post award contract administration and electronic commerce.
CT Minority Supplier Development Council — Assists minority business enterprises with procurement, education, certifications and networking/relationship-building with its corporate members.
CT Women’s Business Development Center — Provides small business and professional development training, career assistance, networking and access to applicable resources.
RESOURCES . . . .
to start, grow & innovate
State & Local Agencies/Organizations
Department of Economic and Community Development
Office of Business and Industry Development
505 Hudson St. Hartford, CT 06106-7107
(860) 270-8215 (860) 270-8055 fax
DECD develops strategies and programs, including financing and tax incentives, to attract and retain businesses and jobs, revitalize neighborhoods and communities, ensure quality housing, and foster appropriate development in Connecticut’s cities and towns.
City of Bridgeport
Office of Planning & Economic Development
999 Broad St. Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 576-7221 (203) 332-5611 fax
The Bridgeport Office of Planning & Economic Development's mission is to steer development to the city's strengths and maintain a mixed and varied economy while augmenting the vitality of existing neighborhoods. It seeks to maximize existing development resources, provide a nurturing environment for local businesses, offer the tools that encourage entrepreneurs, and strive for a clean, safe community with proactive, pro-business government practices.
- City of Bridgeport Master Plan - 2008 Master Plan of Conservation & Development
- City of Bridgeport Zoning Department - City zoning webpage
Downtown Special Services District (DSSD)
10 Middle St. Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 335-3800 (203) 366-0105 fax
The DSSD promotes the general welfare of citizens and property owners of the city through the preservation, enhancement, protection and development of Bridgeport’s downtown.
Business Toolkit
FINANCING
U.S. Small Business Administration, Connecticut Office — Programs and services to help businesses become established, grow and succeed.
Community Capital Fund — Capital Fund facilitates the flow of capital and expertise into housing and economic development that benefits low- and moderate-income people in the Greater Bridgeport area. Provides financing for the acquisition, rehabilitation and new construction of rental housing units as well as financing for small businesses.
Community Economic Development Fund — The goal of the CEDF is to revitalize Connecticut’s distressed neighborhoods by providing greater access to capital, technical assistance to small businesses and support for community economic development.
Grow America Fund — The National Development Council's GAF provides SBA-guaranteed credit to small businesses in partnership with client communities throughout the country. It operates as a community development bank to support the creation or expansion of eligible small businesses in under-served urban or rural areas, and of minority- or women-owned business.
Connecticut Community Investment Corporation — Connecticut Community Investment Corporation (CTCIC) provides small business owners with access to capital that may not be available elsewhere, particularly through the SBA 504 program for business real estate and equipment. Also offers Micro Loans, Child Care Provider Loans and Defense Loans.
Connecticut Development Authority – The Connecticut Development Authority can provide direct loans, loan guarantees and loan participations. Programs are also available to finance the remediation and redevelopment of contaminated commercial or industrial properties. Several programs exist to finance or provide equity-equivalent investments to supplement capital needs of high-technology or information technology enterprises.
TAX INCENTIVES/INCENTIVE ZONES
State Tax Credits & Incentives - The State of Connecticut and local cities and towns offer a wide variety of tax incentives that encourage businesses investment.
HUBZONE Contracting Program — This federal program provides contracting preferences to businesses located within historically disadvantaged urban areas. Nineteen census tracts make up Bridgeport’s HUBZone.
Foreign Trade Zone — Most foreign and domestic material or merchandise may be moved into a FTZ without being subject to U.S. customs duties on that merchandise. Bridgeport has FTZ 76, located in six buildings and sites within the city of Bridgeport. The entire Bridgeport FTZ contains nearly 500 acres. For more information call the Bridgeport Port Authority, Federal Trade Zone Administrator 203-576-7179.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS
CT Small Business Development Center — Sponsored by the federal SBA, the SBDC provides business advice through professional no-cost counseling, seminars, technical assistance and education for business owners and entrepreneurs in one-on-one or group training environments throughout the state.
Greater Bridgeport Connecticut SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) — Provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of small businesses.
CT Licensing Center — Assists with licensing, permitting and business registration requirements.
CT Department of Revenue Services -- State tax department's business page.
Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) — PTAP matches products and/or services with government bids, registers businesses with government procurement agencies and assists with proposal and bid preparation. PTAP can also assist in contract negotiations, post award contract administration and electronic commerce.
CT Minority Supplier Development Council — Assists minority business enterprises with procurement, education, certifications and networking/relationship-building with its corporate members.
CT Women’s Business Development Center — Provides small business and professional development training, career assistance, networking and access to applicable resources.
