State Rep. David A. Scribner (R-107) is applauding the success of the Small Business Express program as new data reveals several small businesses across Bethel, Brookfield and Danbury have added a dozen new employees and secured nearly $600,000 in business loans through the program.
An instrumental supporter for the legislation, Rep. Scribner has been outspoken about the need to craft policies aimed at helping local businesses create jobs.
The program, which was approved last year during a Special Session focused on economic growth, offers three types of forgivable loans and grants awarded to businesses attempting to hire, provide training to employees and invest in capital improvements.
“I’m thrilled this bipartisan program has had a positive impact on area mom and pop businesses, which make up the majority of our state economy,” said Rep. Scribner, a member of the legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. Enabling small businesses to stay and expand is the only way we will create local jobs and ensure that the Greater Danbury area remains a community of prosperity.”
The following businesses in Bethel, Brookfield and Danbury received grants or loans:
- WRK Ventures of Brookfield: $350,000; resulting in the creation of 6 new jobs
- Special Testing Laboratories of Bethel: $12,322; resulting in 1 new job
- Bethel Power Equipment: $100,000; resulting in 18 new jobs
- AdDent of Danbury: $75,000; resulting in 3 new jobs
- Sounds Incredible Mobile of Danbury: $60,000; resulting in an undisclosed number of new jobs
In total, the businesses will receive $597,322 in loans and grants, helping to create a total of 12 new jobs, and retain 42 existing positions. The financial assistance was granted in increments ranging from $10,000 to $250,000.
Rep. Scribner added “While this progress is encouraging, there is still a lot more that needs to be done legislatively to reduce the cost of doing business in Connecticut.”
The Small Business Express Program has distributed a total of $42.3 million to 315 small businesses statewide. For more information on the program, please click here: http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=3931&q=489792.
