View video from the Press Event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BunUoVke7Xc&feature=youtu.be
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) joined Ridgefield resident, Syd Kain, President of Sovereign Home Health Connecticut, at the company’s Norwalk headquarters last Monday to tout the state’s InvestCT program (formerly the Insurance Reinvestment Fund). The InvestCT program has helped Sovereign Home Health create 40 jobs.
Sovereign Home Health of Connecticut (www.sovereignhomehealth.com) provides seniors with homecare and support so that they may live comfortably and safely in their homes.
“InvestCT is a little known initiative that is successfully creating jobs in Connecticut,” said Sen. Duff. “Nearly 100 small businesses have utilized InvestCT to create and retain more than 2,600 jobs. For every $1 dollar of tax credit invested, $2.21 is returned to the state. This is another example of how we are moving Connecticut’s economy forward.”
“Anyone who has created a business or runs a business knows that having cash and access to capital to run and grow the business is critical,” said Syd Kain, Sovereign Home Health. “The biggest challenge for small businesses is that banks aren’t lending to small and medium sized businesses. Sovereign went to several banks, many times—big national banks, and some of our local banks; banks with which I’ve personally had a 15 year relationship—and when we asked for a line of credit or a business loan, the answer was always ‘No’.”
InvestCT allows insurance companies to earn tax credits based on investments they make in high growth Connecticut businesses. The program targets investments in green energy, manufacturing and growth in urban centers. In order for the insurance companies to receive the tax credit, the businesses they invest in must reach predetermined job creation and retention goals.
“Investing in Connecticut is the right thing to do,” said Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford). “We look forward to building upon existing legislation to make our state even more friendly to small businesses.” Last June, as part of the budget, Sen. Duff and the Senate Democrats successfully pushed to recapitalize the program with a new investment of $150 million. Since 2010, the program has dispersed the original $200 million fund with nearly 100 companies participating in the program. Over 2,600 jobs have been created and retained in the state. Ninety-eight percent of all of the jobs created and retained by InvestCT offer healthcare and an average annual salary is $60K.