State Launches One-Stop Business Website

Connecticut this week launched a one-stop website for businesses, featuring resources for starting a new business to managing an existing one.

The state describes the new site, which aggregates information from several agencies, as “a digital front door designed to help business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the entire business lifecycle.”

The site explains in simple terms the complex requirements businesses must meet and streamlines the process of starting and running a business.

It includes:

• Tools to help start your business and a personalized new business checklist
• Resources to help manage taxes, obtain and maintain licenses and permits, access financial assistance, and hire new employees
• Links to the state’s COVID-19 resources

‘Remove Hurdles’

Incoming CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima said the site will undoubtedly help businesses.

“Connecticut has struggled to bring this type of ease and efficiency to the many interfaces businesses have with state government,” he said.

A new state website offers a digital checklist that @GovNedLamont's office says can cut by 90% the time it normally takes for an entrepreneur to research all the steps necessary to open a business. https://t.co/pGO2BvZlo3

— Connecticut Mirror (@CTMirror) July 30, 2020

“We’re pleased that the Lamont administration has brought the key agencies of government under one portal that will hopefully remove some of the hurdles that have made starting and operating a business in the state challenging.”

Gov. Ned Lamont said the site helps fulfill a promise that Connecticut business owners “should spend more time online than in line.”

Priority

“It’s been our priority from Day One to get more service online and create a true digital government,” Lamont said.

“Our citizens expect us to work across agencies so residents can interact with one seamless government—not siloed agencies.”

“We asked businesses about their challenges and built the service based on their feedback.”

DAS commissioner Josh Geballe

Josh Geballe, commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services and the state’s chief operating officer, said the site was created with input from business owners.

“Instead of us making decisions about what this online service should look like within government, we asked businesses about their challenges and built the service based on their feedback.”