FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 3, 2011
CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
202-482-4883
CommerceConnect business assistance initiative in Connecticut one of 16 to launch this year
Following the launch of its Michigan office last September, the U.S. Commerce Department’s CommerceConnect is expanding into Middletown, Conn., one of16 regions where the service is being launched this year.
Announced in 2009, CommerceConnect is a one-stop-shop initiative in which Commerce Department employees are cross-trained so that they have the ability to connect firms to the full menu of Commerce programs and can link business owners with other federal, state, local and nonprofit resources. The effort is designed to cut through red tape and simplify access to services and resources that can help companies grow, create jobs and become more efficient.
Newly cross-trained Commerce staff working in existing local department offices are beginning to assist Connecticut area businesses – no matter where they are in their life cycle, whether just getting off the ground or looking to expand into overseas markets – in collaboration with state and local partners.
“We are excited to expand CommerceConnect to cities across the country so we can help even more U.S. businesses grow and create jobs in their communities,” CommerceConnect Executive Director Dennis Alvord said. “We look forward to working with companies in theMiddletown region and leveraging our extensive resources to assist them in reaching their business objectives.”
Trained CommerceConnect specialists can assess clients’ business needs – whether it's access to capital, intellectual property protection, export promotion or guidance on how to make operations more efficient – and refer them to appropriate resources.
“I am very pleased to see the CommerceConnect program come to Middletown, as it will streamline Federal Government services to Connecticut businesses, providing them with greater opportunity to access the tools they need to thrive, create jobs and compete in the global economy,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro.
“Streamlining the programs and initiatives available to help business owners access the information they need to establish, expand and grow their business just makes sense,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy. “It’s the same reason I proposed housing many of the state’s economic development functions together, as well. I’m pleased that the U.S. Commerce Department has chosen Middletown as one of its new CommerceConnect sites, and I urge Connecticut business owners and entrepreneurs to access the services available to them.”
“Middletown welcomes CommerceConnect to the city,” said Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano. “The program will give our business community easy access to a host of government resources designed to accelerate business growth and productivity.”
CommerceConnect began as a pilot program in Michigan in 2009. Following its success, Locke announced the opening of a permanent CommerceConnect office in Pontiac, Mich., in September of 2010. CommerceConnect has a strong track record of building effective enterprise assistance networks in areas that have traditionally been fragmented and ineffective at advancing larger regional economic goals in a collaborative and cohesive manner. Since last October, the program has worked with over 440 new firms, referring them to more than 890 targeted business solutions, nine Commerce Department bureaus, and more than 50 federal, state and local partner organizations.
The CommerceConnect network has expanded since its initial pilot to include not only a Michigan field office, but also a Gulf Coast initiative and growing contingent of cross-trained specialists in Commerce Department field offices in 16 additional regions across the country, as well as a national call center and web portal. Today, CommerceConnect also announced business assistance in Charlotte, N.C., and Birmingham, Ala.
Businesses in the Connecticut area interested in working with CommerceConnect specialists can contact the CommerceConnect Call Center at 1-888-728-4190 or visit www.CommerceConnect.gov.
