Stamford Small Business Resource Center at the Ferguson Library
The Ferguson Library offers an extensive list of print and digital small business resources in their Small Business Resource Center. The Center also serves as a collaborative space, which promotes brainstorming and networking. The library will also host classes on topics related to small businesses.

SCORE
The Fairfield County chapter of SCORE is a group of more than 100 volunteer professionals that offer to share their experience with new and growing entrepreneurs. They offer classes and private sessions on subjects ranging from general management and business planning to public relations and community services. SCORE Fairfield offers business counseling in seven different languages including Spanish.

Trade Name Look Up
If you are just starting a business or are seeking to change your current business’ name, you must use the above resource to ensure that no one else is currently using that name. Once you look up that name and confirm that it’s available, you can register it at this link as well.

Stamford Commercial Real Estate Listings
You can use this resource to look up commercial real estate if you are looking to buy/rent a new piece of property. You can also use this resource in order to sell/rent out commercial property as well.

Stamford Planning Department
The Stamford Planning Department offers numerous resources about the overall direction of Stamford that could be of use to an entrepreneur. You can view documents like the city’s master plan, capital budget, or the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign Local Action Plan.

Apply for a Building Permit
You can use this resource to apply for a building permit with the city. Before applying for a building permit, we recommend visiting the Building Department to ensure you have all of the necessary forms and sign-offs.

Zoning Rules of Stamford
Before starting or moving your business, you can use this resource in order to ensure that your business plan and zoning laws are in agreement.

Obtaining a Zoning Permit
If you are planning to add an addition onto your current business office (or are building a business office), you will need to have it approved by the Zoning Department of Stamford by using the Application for Zoning Approval Packet. After having your project approved by the building department, you can then pursue getting a building permit.

Glenbrook Neighborhood Association
The GNA is an association whose purpose is to enhance the quality of life in Glenbrook, one of Stamford’s many neighborhoods. If you are looking to open a business in Glenbrook, it would be to your advantage to join as a business member and participate in its quarterly meetings and events.

Springdale Neighborhood Association
The SNA is an association whose purpose is to enhance the quality of life in Springdale, one of Stamford’s many neighborhoods. If you are looking to open a business in Springdale, it would be to your advantage to join as a business member and participate in its quarterly meetings and events.

East Side Partnership
The East Side Partnership is a community association whose purpose is to enhance the quality of life in the East Side Neighborhood. If you’re looking to open a business in the East Side, it would be to your advantage to contribute and participate in their meetings and events.

Waterside Coalition
The Waterside Coalition is a community organization whose mission is to make Waterside a better place to live and work. If you’re looking to open a business in Waterside, it’d be to your advantage to contribute and participate in their meetings and events.

Stamford Downtown Special Services District
Stamford Downtown is responsible for many of the events you’ll see throughout the year, from Alive@Five to the many unique pieces of art you’ll see throughout summer. Along with these amazing events, the SDSSD is a great resource for downtown businesses as well. They offer demographics details, real estate opportunities, their Retail Advancement Program, and more.

Stamford Chamber of Commerce
The Stamford Chamber of Commerce is an organization made to further the civic and economic vitality of the city. The Stamford Chamber of Commerce offers many benefits to its member businesses, including networking events, marketing & advertising, and educational seminars & workshops. As a member you will also receive the City Club Card which is a member-to-member discount program that your business can take advantage of as a member. Apply to become a member here.

Southwest CT American Job Center Workshops
The Southwest CT American Job Center offers a good array of workshops for up and coming entrepreneurs. Their workshops teach important skills like Digital Literacy and how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and more.

Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS)
The CEAS Program is a pre-event credentialing program that allows essential business employees to gain access to restricted areas following a disaster. The CEAS program is a key part of Be Prepared Stamford Initiative. This credential will let you access your business faster in order to maintain IT systems, retrieve vital records/cash, or conduct damage assessments.

Stamford Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Stamford’s Community Emergency Response Team Program educates people about disaster preparedness, basic disaster response skills, and disaster medical operations. Upon completion of the program, CERT members are then included in Stamford’s emergency response force.

Business.CT.Gov 
One-stop shop for Connecticut-based businesses, includes information on how to start a business, how to access available services and resources, and how to gather required licenses and permits. 

CT Small Business Development Center
The CTSBDC can help any business with business advising, exporting/importing, and disaster preparedness. Business workshops are available (both in person and virtual workshops). Look at their calendar, here.

UConn Law School’s Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship Law Clinic
Can perform patent searches, provisional/nonprovisional patent applications, trademark clearances, copyright and trade secret matters, drafting and negotiating intellectual property agreements, and Connecticut limited liability company formation if related to an intellectual property matter for their clients.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau
Helps consumers find businesses they can trust by setting standards, reviewing and assessing a variety of companies based upon these expectations.

CT Women’s Business Development Council
A federally funded organization that provides both women and men with advice on how to be both an effective employee and small business owner. They offer a variety of workshops and one-on-one consultations aimed at teaching successful business and personal finance strategies.

CT Department of Revenue Services Business Tax Information
A how-to guide focused on helping businesses navigate the often complex tax system and expedite the sometimes lengthy process of filing your taxes.

Small Business Express Program
An expedited business service that provides loans and grants to Connecticut’s small business with the goal of spurring job creation and local economic growth.

CT Innovations
Offers flexible loans for established companies with new innovative growth plans, venture capital and strategic support for recently founded technology companies, grants to support innovation and collaboration and introductions to our a network of other competitive small and big businesses.

CT Judicial Branch’s Guide to Understanding the ADA
A brochure designed help the public understand and abide by ADA regulations. The guide is simplified for your convenience and focuses just upon the most aspects of the law.

CT Fair Employment Practices Act
Outlines the prohibited discriminatory employment practices covered by the 2005 Connecticut Code section 46a-60

Federal and State Anti-Discrimination Laws
A list of federal and state Anti-Discrimination Laws. These laws criminalize discrimination against people on the basis of religion, race/color, gender, ancestry/national origin, sexual orientation, and physical/mental disability. Violations of these laws are considered both a federal and state offense unless otherwise noted.

Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 814c: Human Rights and Opportunities
Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 814c 46a-discusses Connecticut’s Anti-Discrimination policies. In summary, an employer or a public accommodation like a hotel or restaurant cannot discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, lawful sources of income, and mental/physical disability. It is also unlawful to not post where handicapped access is located or to prevent mothers from breastfeeding the infants in public.

CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
An agency charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of Connecticut. Supports the production and use of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy for use of the people and businesses of the state.

Save the Sound Initiative
Responsible for restoring and protecting the waters and shorelines of the Sound. Based on scientific knowledge, legal expertise, and the combined actions of ordinary people, this program has seen much success since it first began.

Fairfield County Bar Association
Known for offering outstanding legal educational programs, being involvement in community projects, and attentively addressing the needs of its members.

CT Bar Association
A organizized membership of Connecticut attorneys working to advance the principles of justice, the practice of law and the public understanding of the law.

Connecticut Rapid Response Team for Displaced Workers
Exists to ease the impact of layoffs and to assure that workers are offered a full range of benefits and services. Comprised of representatives from the Labor Department and the local Workforce Investment Board.

Connecticut Shared Work Program
If business ever takes a turn for the worst, this program can save the employer from the time and expense of hiring and training new workers by keeping skilled employees on the job through partial unemployment compensation until sales return to normal levels.

American Job Center for Southwest CT
Provides free services to unemployed and underemployed individuals seeking jobs and job search assistance. From a single location they give job seekers access to employment, education, training and information services.

CT Insurance Department
Carries out its mission of consumer protection by enforcing state insurance laws to ensure policyholders are treated fairly, by providing assistance, outreach and education to help consumers make sound choices and by regulating the industry in a fair and consistent manner that fosters market competition for availability of insurance.

CT Apprenticeship Training Program
Administered by the Department of Labor, this program allows skilled consultants to provide technical assistance, monitoring, and consulting services to employers willing to utilize the apprentice system.

CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
Provides an array of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and modern science and technology.

CT Alert ENS
Uses the state’s Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) database for location-based notifications to the public for life-threatening emergencies. The E9-1-1 database includes only traditional wire-line telephone numbers in the state and will not notify you through a mobile phone.

Connecticut Export Assistance Center
Connecticut works closely with its federal partners to increase the global competitiveness of Connecticut businesses. Use the U.S. Commercial Service to gain market intelligence; including, but not limited to, country and industry reports, customized market research, background reports, trade data and analysis, and commercial diplomacy.