SBA Financing Hotline Will Assist State Companies

The US Small Business Administration’s Connecticut District Office has launched its first Small Business Financing Telephone Hotline.

The move comes in response to concerns raised by the state’s small-business owners, who are worried about the volatile national economy and how it will affect their day-to-day operations, said Bernard Sweeney, district director of the SBA for Connecticut.

The hotline is based in Hartford and can be reached by dialing 860-240-4654

“The purpose of this hotline is to give small-business owners a single phone number they can call to find help with business-related questions,” Mr Sweeney said. “All calls to the hotline are confidential. We will make every effort to answer calls directly, and where messages are left between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, the call will be returned within the same business day by a member of the SBA staff in Hartford.”

If the SBA staff cannot help directly, they will refer business owners to SBA partners, experts, and former business owners who volunteer their time and knowledge to help Connecticut businesses grow.

Assistance, technical or otherwise, is provided free of charge and all calls are confidential.

“This service is about being proactive,” Mr Sweeney said. “In the current climate of economic uncertainty, it is imperative that business owners seek out financing options as soon as they anticipate a need; they should call us so we can hopefully help them and provide advice on ways to enhance their chances of obtaining necessary capital in a timely manner.”

The SBA provides financial, management, and technical assistance to thousands of small business owners throughout the country.

The website can be accessed at all times, as well as the SBA’s other online resources and free online training, at www.sba.gov.