COVID-19 Relief for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

March 26, 2020

Good News: Relief for Small Businesses and Non-Profits

Yesterday afternoon, Governor Lamont announced that his administration has launched a zero-interest loan program to bring relief to Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by COVID-19.

The Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program will be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development and will make $25 million available to businesses and nonprofits in the state that have fewer than 100 employees.

Eligibility for the Loan

  • Have no more than 100 employees
  • Be in good standing with the Department of Revenue Services & DECD
  • Have been profitable prior to March 10, 2020 — with no adverse personal credit reports 60 days past due the past six months
  • Not be involved in real estate, multi-level marketing, adult entertainment, cannabis or firearms; nor be a state elected public official or state employee

Terms & Conditions

  • Loan maximum of (a) $75,000 or (b) three months operating expenses — whichever is less
  • 0% interest rate
  • 12-month term, with 6-month extension available per request
  • Freely pre-payable
  • Working capital loan
  • Personal guarantee and credit score required

Needed Application Materials

  • Project Financing Plan & Budget
  • 2019 Income Statement or Profit and Loss Statement
  • Internal Financial Statements (YTD)
  • 3-month projected cash flow, demonstrating need
  • Summary of adverse economic impact resulting from COVID-19
  • Recent credit score report
  • Applicant Structure Documents
  • Personal Financial Statement
  • Ownership Breakdown
  • DRS Letter of Good Standing

Program Process
Upon completing the application and obtaining the required documentation, organizations can submit the information online, via email to decdctrecovery@ct.gov.

After the underwriting and due diligence process, if your loan application is approved DECD will:

  • Issue a Letter of Intent, outlining the loan amount and terms
  • Work with you to execute a Standard Assistance Agreement
  • Ask you to complete ACH paperwork so that funds can be transferred by wire

For additional information or questions, visit the website for FAQs, Express Hotline at (860) 500-2333 or via email at decdctrecovery@ct.gov. Email or website are preferred due to high volume on phone lines.


In addition, the federal government is working on a stimulus package that includes help for small businesses and workers to help Americans through this crisis.

U.S. Senate Democrats fought for a bipartisan, robust third COVID-19 bill that will immediately bolster our health care response and our economy. The $2 trillion investment offers stronger worker protections, a Marshall Plan for our hospitals, and much more.

  • Unemployment Insurance ($260 billion)
  • Marshall Plan For Our Health System ($150 billion)
  • Robust Worker and Transparency Protections on Government Loans
  • Small Business Rescue Plan ($377 billion)
  • Protected Over 2 Million Aviation Industry Job
  • Increased Direct Payments to Working Americans
  • State and Local Coronavirus Expenditures Fund ($150 billion)
  • Emergency Appropriations ($330 billion, including $100 billion for hospitals and providers mentioned above)
  • Student Loan Relief

I will be sharing more information on this plan as it becomes available. For more information, see the initial summary.