A bill that would require state officials to staff a hotline to advise and assist small business owners on business concerns passed the House Wednesday.
H.B. 5584 would require the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to set up the hotline by Oct. 1. During business hours, DECD staff would guide entrepreneurs on how to launch a business, develop it, network, access resources and get other technical and financial assistance from state and quasi-public agencies.
Small businesses employ nearly half of workers statewide, said Brett Broesder, co-founder and vice president of Campaign for Tomorrow’s Jobs, a nonprofit that advocates for workforce preparedness, business growth and innovation, and fiscal sustainability.
“With measures like this, state lawmakers help small business owners by cutting burdensome red tape. When small businesses succeed, it’s not just our economy that gets stronger, it’s our families and communities,” he said.
The Senate and governor have not yet considered the bill.
