A bill before the General Assembly would require the state Department of Economic and Community Development to establish a concierge service for small businesses, borrowing from a model already in use at the state’s environmental agency.
House Bill 5467, introduced by the Commerce Committee, would direct DECD’s commissioner to designate a staff member within the Office of Small Business Affairs to serve as a single point of contact for businesses seeking information and assistance with state economic development programs.
The bill received a public hearing March 10 before the Commerce Committee.
Under the legislation, the concierge role would include providing information and assistance related to economic or community development projects or programs administered by DECD. If approved, the bill would take effect Oct. 1.
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association testified
in support of the measure, calling it a practical, low-cost way to improve customer service and maximize the effectiveness of existing economic development programs.
Pete Myers, CBIA’s senior policy director, told the committee that Connecticut businesses consistently struggle to navigate state grants, incentive programs and economic development resources.
“While many valuable programs exist, businesses, particularly small and mid-sized employers, often struggle to identify which programs apply to them, where to start and how to move forward efficiently,” Myers said in written testimony. “Establishing a clearly identified ‘front door’ at DECD would help businesses better access and utilize these resources.”
The proposal draws from a concierge function created at the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as part of the agency’s 20by20 permitting initiative. DEEP’s concierge helps applicants navigate the permitting process, coordinate across divisions and understand requirements upfront, according to CBIA’s testimony.
Myers said the business community has been strongly supportive of DEEP’s approach and views it as a meaningful step toward greater predictability and transparency in state government.
CBIA, which describes itself as Connecticut’s largest business organization, represents thousands of member companies. Ninety percent of its members are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
The bill’s sole co-sponsor is Rep. Joseph P. Gresko, who represents the 121st District.
