State’s small business program detailed

Parking, labor market raised as concerns

WINSTED — The state’s Small Business Express Program has provided loans and grants in 150 of the state’s 169 municipalities, but a review of businesses in Litchfield County shows only two have used the program since 2017.

In an effort to provide more details and involvement in the region, program administrator Sheila Hummel recently presented information to members of the Winchester Economic Development Commission. She told business owners and members of the commission that the program supports companies that have fewer than 100 employees.

For example. Accounting and More, LLC in Litchfield, received a $200,000 job creation loan in 2018. It is a business owned by a woman and has one employee. A manufacturing company in Winchester, Dufrance Nuclear Shielding Inc., received a $229,500 job creation loan and a $60,000 matching grant in 2017. It hired 13 employees last year.

The small business program is operated by the state Department of Economic and Community Development, which Hummel said allows small businesses to access direct funding from the state.

“It’s not a startup fund,” she added, but supports companies that have been in business for at least a year. Another requirement is that the business must be located in the state, or relocate here.

“It is only a one-page application,” Hummel said, and each applicant is assigned a project manager.

“We spend a lot of time with the client, even if it takes 12 months,” she said.

Several audience mem-

“We can act as a conduit to the state Department of Labor to get (those looking for a job) to the right person.”

Dennis Noel, local volunteer with the Service Corps of Retired Executives

bers said the biggest barrier to business growth in Winsted is the lack of qualified employees. In response to that concern, Dennis Noel, a local volunteer with the Service Corps of Retired Executives said that the volunteer, nonprofit organization can help find companies find potential employees.

“We can act as a conduit to the state Department of Labor to get (those looking for a job) to the right person,” he said.

The Entrepreneurial Center at Northwest Community College hosts SCORE volunteers, Noel said. Volunteers are also through the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, he added.

While state funds are available to help small businesses, Steven Sadlowski, Winsted’s director of Planning and Community Development, said money for small cities has tightened up.

The state “is not funding downtown improvement now,” he said.

In addition, attracting more people to downtown Winsted is difficult, said Caitlin McSherry, who will be appointed to the EDC next month.

“Parking makes it difficult, so it’s hard to get foot traffic,” she said.

EDC Chairman Phillip Allen said that parking is only available on half of Main Street due to the Mad River running parallel to the road.

“We also have a four-lane highway (Route 44) running through town. People speed through here,” Allen said.

In response, Hummel said, “We take businesses banks wouldn’t touch.

“We’re trying to get young people to stay in Connecticut or come back. We look at what could be done differently.”

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media Steven Sadlowski, Winsted’s director of Planning and Community Development, speaks during the town’s recent workshop.

Sheila Hummel, state Small Business Express Program Administrator, participates in the recent small business workshop in Winsted.