Development Services


Temporary Certificate for Outdoor Dining

Enfield FAQ Guide to Temporary Outdoor Dining

Temporary Certificate for Outdoor Dining or Retail

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ReOpen Connecticut Guidance, Information & Resources

In order to reopen, business must self-certify at DECD’s website. Once you complete this step, you will receive a ReOpen CT Badge to display onsite and on social media. 

Resources for PPE and Infrared Thermometers:

Governor Lamont has announced the availability of infrared thermometers to small businesses (between 2-100 employees), places of worship, and nonprofits. More information and a request link can be found at the link below. Distribution will continue until supplies last.

 CARES Act – updated information

  1. Connecticut Humanities is honored to provide rapid-response funding to nonprofit humanities and cultural organizations that are facing financial hardship resulting from COVID-19. These grants are funded by the CARES Act via the National Endowment for the Humanities.
  • Connecticut Humanities will be re-granting a total of $450,000 in CARES Act funding. Grant awards will range from $2,500 to $15,000 and no match is required (maximum amount of funding that can be requested is based upon an organization’s budget size). For complete information click here.
  1. The CARES Act includes a $1.5 billion supplemental appropriation to the US Economic Development Administration "to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus". AdvanceCT (formerly CERC) is taking the lead on behalf of the state regarding CARES ACT EDA funding initiatives. Visit www.advancect.org. EDA funds can be used for (among other things):
  • Planning and technical assistance (which could be very helpful in creating new business development plans and strategic plans for downtown organizations);
  • Capitalization and recapitalization of revolving loan funds that provide access to capital for businesses (also very helpful for downtown business development activity);
  • Construction of infrastructure and other economic development projects (I can think of half a dozen downtowns that have benefitted from this EDA funding category); and
  • Innovation grants.

And More!

  • Downtown Redevelopment Services, a CT Main Street Professional Affiliate member, is offering an opportunity to CMSC members. DRS is holding a “contest” which includes the award of three Revitalization Roadmaps, streamlined and action-oriented downtown plans, to three different cities at a 50% reduction in cost, or a reduced total cost of $9,500. Click here to register for the contest.

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If you are a business owner and do not pay taxes on your salary OR are self-employed or an independent contractor, are you eligible for unemployment benefits? 

Generally, no, it is very rare. However, you may file for unemployment benefits and a determination will be made on your eligibility. Please be advised that this is a very lengthy process. Also, you will need to continue to be able and available for full-time work. However, you may be eligible for benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. In general, PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits, including those who have exhausted all rights to such benefits. If you feel you are eligible under this program please feel free to apply. Please refer to the link to the application below.

The website to file for unemployment benefits, including starting the PUA process is http://www.filectui.com.

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Positioning Your Business for Success for when CT Re-opens..  FREE WEB SERIES

Click Here for More Information

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  • Information for Re-Open CT - Governor Lamont’s 15-member advisory board is working to prepare to re-open Connecticut. The advisory board is comprised of a mix of public health, business, education, and community officials. CBIA hosted a webinar focused on introducing the advisory board members and shared some practical information for Main Street retail & restaurants:
  • EBP Supply Solutions – a commercial cleaning business with excellent information on their website about cleaning commercial spaces
  • International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA): Information about Cleaning & Disinfecting for the Coronavirus
  • Essential Small Business Face Mask Supply - If you operate an essential small business and need surgical face masks for your employees, the State of Connecticut can make 2 per employee available to you while supplies last. Learn more
  • Pullman & Comley offer post-COVID Recovery Information – CMSC Professional Affiliate Pullman & Comley is addressing how small businesses are going to get back to work through various webinars and blogs:
  • Unemployment Assistance for the Self Employed – The CT Dept. of Labor has begun accepting claim applications for the self-employed, many of whom are eligible to collect unemployment insurance benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

    • Federal guidelines require that self-employed individuals, including independent contractors and "gig" workers, first apply through the Connecticut unemployment system located on www.filectui.com. Applicants must receive a determination notice in the mail from the Connecticut Department of Labor before they can apply on the newly-designed Pandemic Unemployment Assistance online system that will also be located at www.filectui.com. Click for more information on the two-step application process. 
  • Windsor’s First Town Downtown had a Facebook Live promotion this past weekend that they’re planning to continue to do each Saturday. They showcased a local business and found it to be very successful – one of the videos had 2.9k view, 132 comments and 29 shares.

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Mask Needs and Local Businesses

As part of the COVID-19 response effort, CBIA is providing masks for essential small businesses based on a request.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are eligible, essential small businesses?     Eligible, essential small businesses must have 50 employees or less with a need for surgical masks.

Should all eligible, essential small businesses request masks?  Eligible, essential small businesses and employees that have limited contact with the public are strongly urged to create their own facemasks following CDC guidelines. We must ensure the limited supply of surgical masks is available to eligible, essential businesses that need them the most.

How many times can surgical masks be used?  The CDC recommends the preservation of necessary PPE by instituting extended use policies. Additionally, FEMA, recommends preservation methods to reduce, reuse and repurpose PPE. Both FEMA and CDC guidelines can be found here.

Is there a limit to the number of Surgical Masks that can be requested?  Eligible, essential small businesses must limit their total request to 2 surgical masks per employee. The maximum request should not exceed 100 masks.

Are healthcare workers and first responders receiving PPE?  Yes, healthcare workers and first responders continue to receive priority distributions of varying types of PPE as they are made available. First responders should continue to make resource requests through the local Emergency Management Director.

How often will this distribution to small businesses be occurring?  At this time, this is a one-time distribution of masks to eligible, essential small businesses in Connecticut.

Will every requestor receive masks?  Supplies are limited at this time; therefore, it is possible that not all requestors will receive the masks they request.

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Recent updates to grant funding in light of COVID

Click here for more information

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New Grant Funding Roundup Coming Your Way!

Click here for more information

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For inquiries and guidelines regarding essential business and nonessential business operations, please visit www.ct.gov/coronavirus.

DECD’s COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit can be reached via phone (860) 500-2322 or email DECD.COVID19@ct.gov. 

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Federal Assistance for Connecticut Businesses and Nonprofits

Click here for more information

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COVID-19 Business Assistance

Click here for more information

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Help for Businesses and Residents - LINK to Federal Paycheck Protection Program Included

Click here for more information

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Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist

Click Here

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CARES ACT

https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/COVID19/DRS-COVID-19-Response-FAQ

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Special Coronavirus Edition #4: Former SBA Chief Gives Great Advice

Special Coronavirus Edition #4

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The Development Services Department consists of the Building Inspection, Community Development, Economic Development, and Planning and Zoning Divisions. These divisions are responsible for:

  • Advocating for business growth
  • Building inspections and permits
  • Environmental conservation and regulation
  • Housing rehabilitation and neighborhood commercial revitalization
  • Job creation and desirable private investment
  • Plan review
  • Zoning enforcement

The Development Services Department also organizes the Enfield’s Regional Farmers Market that runs on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. starting August 14, 2019 to October 2, 2019 and the Thompsonville Community Garden where planting began on June 8, 2019.