Connecticut Launches New Website To Aid Businesses

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced the launch of a new website designed as an online, one-stop-shop where entrepreneurs can find information and create a checklist with everything required to start up or manage their business in Connecticut.

The new portal, business.ct.gov, will make it easier to do business in the state, support small business owners as a partner in their success, and improve citizens' interactions with state government, according to a news release from the Office of the Governor on Wednesday.

Lamont said the website aims to prevent businesses from needing to navigate the sometimes complex nature of state government by merging many of their common needs into one simplified location online. When completing transactions through the portal, users will be interacting with several state agencies all in one seamless interaction, allowing them to get their work done quicker.

"It’s been our priority from day one to get more services online and create a true digital government where our business owners can spend time online – not in line," Lamont said. "Our economy depends on us continuing to lead the way with new technology to attract the best talent and minds in the country. Our citizens expect us to work across agencies so residents can interact with one seamless government – not siloed agencies. I look forward to seeing this program and our business community in Connecticut grow to become even stronger."

"Business.ct.gov is the State of Connecticut's front door and welcome center for businesses that are starting in or relocating to our great state, and this launch will let them know that we are open for business," Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said. "This site will make it easier for businesses to get started and to expand by giving them a one-stop, online portal to state government so that we can grow together."

"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," Department of Administrative Services commissioner and chief operating officer Josh Geballe said. "Our businesses expect us to serve them where they are – not the other way around. Business owners and citizens alike think of our government as one entity – not siloed agencies – and they expect us to be working together."

"The Department of Consumer Protection works with hundreds of industries and processes hundreds of thousands of credentials every year," Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said. "We do everything we can to make sure that process goes smoothly – and business.ct.gov takes that a step further. I want to thank Governor Lamont for his leadership in this endeavor, and our sister agencies for their collaboration."

Department of Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said, "This is a great tool to help young businesses navigate the regulatory landscape and connect with the very state agencies that can help them thrive. I commend Governor Lamont and the administration for their ongoing work to develop our economy and invest in the people who make it run."

The development of business.ct.gov was led by the Department of Administrative Services Digital Services team with the support for Deloitte Digital, along with the Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Revenue Services, Department of Labor, and Advance CT.