CT HB05500

Establishes an Office of Small Business Affairs within the Department of Economic and Community Development to support small businesses, particularly those owned by minorities and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.

Defines minority to include Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, persons of Iberian Peninsula origin, women, Asian Pacific Americans, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians.

Requires the Office to administer regional small business development centers, coordinate technical assistance programs, encourage loans through the Connecticut Development Authority, and serve as a liaison between federal, state, and local agencies.

Directs the Office to maintain a web page listing all state small business resources and update it quarterly, and to compile annual summaries of small business activities for the department's report.

Establishes a Small Business Advisory Board effective July 1, 2010, with members from the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, technology centers, manufacturing and business associations, chambers of commerce, and economic development entities, meeting at least annually.