Senator LeBeau and Representative Davis tour reSET offices; talk with social entrepreneurs

Hartford, Conn.– Deputy President Pro Tempore, Senator Gary LeBeau, on October 8 toured the downtown Hartford office and coworking space of resET, the Social Enterprise Trust.

Senator LeBeau exchanged ideas with social entrepreneurs, who create businesses that generate profits and solve community problems at the same time. Senator LeBeau also learned about reSET’s role in the developing social enterprise sector in Connecticut.

Senator LeBeau participated in an informal conversation with social entrepreneurs associated with reSET, among them:

• • Willimantic resident Chris Brechlin, Founder and Community Partner of Blueprint for a Dream.
• • Guilford resident Leslie Krumholz, CEO of Good Streets.
• • Simsbury resident David Rubin, CEO and Co-Founder of ElectroSpin University.

Following his visit, LeBeau said he was fully convinced of the need for benefit corporations in Connecticut.

“There is a new generation of young people ? young entrepreneurs who not only want to make money but also want to contribute to the public good through their organizations. Nineteen other states have made way for this new type of organization. If we do not compete by providing this type of business structure to our young people, our bright young entrepreneurs will leave Connecticut, and that would be our loss” said Senator LeBeau.

reSET is working collaboratively with the Connecticut Bar Association and B-Lab to encourage passage of legislation allowing businesses to incorporate as benefit corporations in the state of Connecticut. Language for this bill is the most comprehensive of its type proposed in the United States.

“As the leading support and advocacy organization for social entrepreneurs in Connecticut, we have a unique understanding of the high demand for bringing benefit corporations to Connecticut. We believe that this enabling legislation is essential to developing the state’s social enterprise sector ? serving as a catalyst for the formation of new businesses that will create jobs and help solve some of Connecticut’s most pressing social issues” said James Woulfe, reSET’s Public Policy and Impact Investing Specialist.

On Friday October 4th State Representative Chris Davis of the 57th House District visited reSET to speak with several social entrepreneurs currently enrolled in reSET’s Accelerator Program. “This is a great organization that helps to support collaboration between entrepreneurs and create jobs,” said State Representative Davis. “During my tour of the facility I was impressed with how much activity was going on and what a great space it is for entrepreneurs to exchange and generate new ideas.”

reSET is looking forward to continuing to engage lawmakers and the public to build awareness about social enterprise. In the past 12 months, reSET has helped launch and grow eleven social enterprises, associated with 20 jobs. Two of those businesses are working to become regional in scale and one to become national in scale. Also, reSET has opened the reSET Community Space at 99 Pratt Street, Suite 200 in downtown Hartford, which offers coworking space and supportive programming to business people including social entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers, and traveling business people.

Those interested in seeing the space are encouraged to drop in Monday through Friday between 8am and 6pm, or call 860-560-9120 for more information.

Contact Information:
Meryl Willett
Community Builder
Phone: 860-560-9120 ext. 204
MWillett@www.socialenterprisetrust.org