Financial Resources

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Norwalk Business Development Center

At the Norwalk Business Development Center we are here to help. Whether it be with education, accessing capital, state registration, or permitting and licensing we are here to help. Don’t hesitate to call us at 203-854-7948 or drop in for a visit. We are open from 9am to 4pm at 3 Belden Avenue!

Norwalk ACTS

Workforce Development Are you interested in learning more about workforce development opportunities in Norwalk? Norwalk ACTS, in partnership with the City of Norwalk & Greater Norwalk Chamber, recently launched a monthly newsletter for youth and residents to learn about local updates and opportunities. Subscribe now!

Hiring & Training Resources Norwalk has a significant amount of resources designated to technical support on hiring staff for your business. We have direct access to workforce pools and can even help you create a certificate program to train Norwalk residents for available jobs. Contact Norwalk ACTS for more information info@norwalkacts.org.

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COVID-19 Grants

The City of Norwalk has released the 2023 COVID-19 assistance grants. These were also made available in 2021 and 2022. Funds can be used for a variety of COVID-19 recovery including rent payments, utility payments, payroll, PPE, and much more.

Guidelines
Application

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Norwalk Innovations Program

The Norwalk Innovations program aims to support new businesses and entrepreneurs in Norwalk both financially and through education. This is a program in partnership with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and it begins in October of every year. Participants who successfully complete the program can be entered into a “Shark Tank” activity to pitch to sharks and potentially be awarded a $5,000 grant to support their business growth.

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Storefront Improvement Program

The purpose of the Storefront Improvement Program is to encourage businesses and property owners within commercial corridors to improve the front exterior of their commercial properties, making these areas more attractive to shoppers and growing their vitality and economic performance. City of Norwalk property owners or tenants can access financial resources to renovate or restore commercial building exterior facades through the Storefront Improvement Program. A total of $50,000 of grant funding will be available each year and expenses are matched at 80%. Visit here for more information.

Small Business & Main St. Programs

The City of Norwalk prides itself on being able to continuously be responsive to our local businesses and entrepreneurs. As a result, the City released the Small Business & Main Street Program that is continuously funded to be responsive to needs on a yearly basis. Visit here for information on this year’s funding.

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Kiva Program

Kiva is a global nonprofit organization that provides interest-free crowdfunded microloans to local entrepreneurs. Kiva’s network of microlenders creates the first step for small businesses to move up the capital ladder. The Norwalk Kiva Hub allows entrepreneurs who may have been previously denied access to a loan an alternative way to access capital. Through the City of Norwalk’s new Kiva Hub, local businesses can access between $1,000 to $15,000 at 0% interest.

“From the beginning up to now I have nothing but positive things to say about Kiva. The whole experience was amazing, from the first conversation I had with my loan counselor Pedro Mata up to receiving my loan. Pedro made me feel more like family and less like just another client. His story on how he got started with Kiva was my sign that I was in the right place seeking help. Pedro was able to relate to me as a former single parent trying to make it. Pedro was very patient, punctual and down to earth. The whole process was extremely quick and simple. I am amazed and extremely grateful for everyone’s contributions. One day I will be able to help make a fellow entrepreneur’s dream come true! Thank you Kiva!” – Juliane Etienne – BAOU Apparel

Click here to learn more about Kiva and read our success stories.

Enterprise Zone Program

First in the nation to offer a statewide program of benefits to help targeted investment communities, Connecticut has greatly expanded the number of State-approved municipalities that may offer the various enterprise zone benefits—from the original 6 cities and towns in 1982, to over 45 participating municipalities in 2021.

There are 10 types of zone designations in Statutes that authorize the State and approved municipalities to offer various incentives, with goals to encourage new economic development, lower the cost of doing business in Connecticut, increase private investment, expand the local tax base, re-use underused properties, grow important industry clusters, and expand job opportunities for zone residents.

Opportunity Zone Program

An Opportunity Zone is a designated geography where investors can defer taxes on any prior capital gains invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. Qualified Opportunity Funds can invest in real estate or businesses within designated geographies. The City of Norwalk has three Opportunity Zones shown here. Both businesses and property owners within these geographies benefit by garnering additional investor pools designated for Opportunity Zones. For more information contact Sabrina Church, the Director of Business Development and Tourism at schurch@norwalkct.org.