Information on Granbys Businesses Now Easier to Access, Secretary of the State Says ​

HARTFORD, CT — Building on a successful launch of Connecticut’s first-ever business formation data portal earlier this year, Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has announced key enhancements that will immediately expand search capabilities, providing the public with the ability to find and use previously inaccessible data about businesses throughout the state.

The more robust search capacity, which effectively “unlocks” business data that is filed with the state, will allow searches by town and address for the first time, as well as being able to handle partial names or name variations. In a collaboration between the Secretary of the State’s Office and the Connecticut Data Collaborative, a new search engine is being launched.

“We are effectively liberating business registry data,” said Michelle Riordan-Nold, executive director of the CT Data Collaborative. “The more robust search capabilities moves the database from merely making the data available to the public to making it easier to get more data in more ways more easily – and that makes the data more useful to everyone in Connecticut, from policymakers to the public.”

Now, individuals using the data portal can search by the name of a town, and see results that provide a list of registered businesses in that town. Searches can be narrowed by year, among a number of search filters that were previously not possible.

In addition, varying forms of a name – such as “pizza” or “pizzeria” – will be included in search results, whereas previously the business name entered in a search had to be exact in order to obtain a result. For those uncertain of the precise name of a business, the enhanced search capacity will mean the difference between being able to locate a business in the state registry and not being able to do so.

“Our online system was initially designed for transactions, not to provide data to the public. So this is a major shift in how we present the information contained in our office,” Merrill said. “The more robust search capabilities will be helpful to members of the public, agencies, organizations, researchers, as well as Connecticut businesses and prospective businesses seeking to learn more about the state’s business formation history, current status and trends. We will continue to expand our efforts to move from being a repository of business filings to providing easy access to business filing data so that the information can be used effectively.”

With the expanded capacity, individuals can download the results from searches they initiate, allowing the data to be input into Excel spreadsheets, for example, that would provide additional opportunities to manipulate and use the data. In addition, the business formation data is now being updated monthly on the site.

This is the second release of the ongoing collaboration between CT Data and the Secretary of the State’s Office. The site includes functionality that allows users review business formations over time, compare business formations among towns, and view specific data analysis stories.

Secretary Merrill is sharing the new data portal, and the enhanced capabilities, with potential user groups such as scholars, Chambers of Commerce, and other state and local agencies. The initiative will continue to bring data updates and refinements to interactive features based on user feedback, and Secretary Merrill stressed that such feedback is welcome, and will help to continue the initiative’s effectiveness.

As required by law, certain business entities must register with the Secretary of the State’s office. The businesses that must register include: Business Corporations, Nonstock Corporations, Benefit Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and Statutory Trusts.
CT Data explored business formation and dissolution data since 1980.

In 2015, according to the data, there were more than 28,000 formations of corporations in the state.

The portal can be accessed at http://searchctbusiness.ctdata.org/

Photo Credit: CT SOTS