Legislation has been introduced by State Senate Democrats to help veterans who want to open small businesses in the state.  Connecticut Veterans Chamber of Commerce founder Michael Zacchea of Brookfield says the more than 42,000 veteran owned businesses in the state produce about $20 billion worth of state gross product.

The bill would give veteran owned firms additional bidding preferences under state contracting laws and waive payment for the first year's business entity tax for veteran owned start ups.

“The Chamber was founded on the principle of helping military veterans coming out of service to start their own businesses,” said Zacchea, Lt. Col. USMC (ret.).

“We wanted to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life, and one way to do so is by lowering barriers to entry for new businesses. A preference for veteran-owned micro-businesses and a waiver of the business entity tax for newly-registered veteran-owned businesses in Connecticut would go a long way toward helping veterans. Additionally, we believe it would help stimulate the economy, recognize the importance of the veteran workforce, and provide a return on the state’s investment in hard-working, entrepreneurial veterans.”