Greene hosts forum on jobs bill

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Len Greene

SEYMOUR — State Rep. Len Greene (R-105) hosted a Small Business Forum Wednesday morning showcasing the details of the bipartisan “jobs” bill approved in the special legislative session last October.

More than four dozen people came to the Seymour Town Hall, where state Rep. Themis Klardies (R-114), along with representatives from the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development and Department of Labor, joined Greene to present the “Small Business Express” package approved by the legislature last fall. Greene and Klarides also discussed the details of a variety of other grant and loan programs.

“For the residents of Connecticut there’s no more important issue than this state’s economy and the availability of quality jobs that can support families,” said Greene, who represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls and Seymour, in a news release. “It’s our job as legislators to make sure businesses of all varieties know about these great programs legislators on both sides of the aisle worked to create.”

Slashing red tape that bogs down business creation and expansion was among the goals sought as Klarides, Greene and their colleagues drafted the legislation late last year. For one, agency officials described a new emphasis on expedited permitting process for businesses.

“Legislators can’t create jobs, but we can do our best to create an environment where companies view our state as a place to put down roots,” said Klarides, who represents Derby, Orange and Woodbridge, in a news release. “We took a step toward doing that back in October, but there’s a lot more work to be done.”

For more information about the new state’s new business programs, visit www.ct.gov/ecd or call the Department of Economic and Community Development at (860) 270-8000.