Gov. Dannel Malloy recently released the results of two surveys used to gauge the experience of small-business owners who applied for financial assistance under the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Small Business Express Program.
In the two surveys ”“ one in 2013 and one this fall ”“ the Connecticut Economic Resource Center polled a total 425 businesses that were funded and 77 businesses that were declined funding through the program.
More than 70 percent of respondents in 2014 said they were very satisfied with their experiences, including professionalism of staff, how much knowledge staff had about a business and engagement with project managers ”“ all increases from 2013. This year’s survey, conducted in September and October, received responses from 180 businesses that were funded and 19 that were denied.
To date, 1,210 companies have received $171,632,484 in grants and loans through the program, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“We created (the program) to ensure smaller companies have the support they need to expand, compete and create jobs and to make Connecticut a more attractive place to start and grow a business,” Malloy said in a statement.
