Malloy unveils jobs platform

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he has support from Connecticut Republicans for a jobs bill that includes a “small business express” package totaling $180 million over two years.

That package would include $50 million annually for a revolving loan fund and job creation incentives; $10 million for training; and $20 million more for manufacturing technology programs at community colleges and vocational schools.

Malloy wants to earmark $340 million to replenish Connecticut’s Manufacturing Assistance Act funding balance over two years, with $60 million prioritized for small-business assistance.

To spur the creation of startups, the state is cutting the minimal threshold for angel investment tax credits to $25,000, down from $100,000 today. Another $25 million would go toward innovation centers throughout the state to assist entrepreneurs; and to a matching grant program for companies that win funding under the federal Small Business Innovation Research grant program.

The state would also cut the business entity tax.

In a bid to push forward real estate development, Malloy plans to order state agencies to eliminate or consolidate duplicative regulations, and plans to pilot a program based on New York’s Build Now Program to speed real estate projects to market. He also plans to bolster funding for development of mildly contaminated brownfield sites by $20 million.