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In This Issue:
Upcoming Events ~ Welcome New Members
Hiring/Training Programs ~
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
HR Corner ~ Health Care Council Update
Chamber New
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A Message from our President
It's the start of a new year and that means the start of a new legislative session isn't far behind. Our Public Policy Committee has been hard at work finalizing our 2018 Legislative Agenda, working to determine what the priorities should be when it comes to advocating for your business.
The Chamber's legislative advocacy is often thought of as an 'unseen' benefit of your membership, but our staff and leadership strive to keep you abreast of the issues crucial to business in our region. I encourage you to join us at the upcoming
Legislative and Economic Summit on January 23rd. The morning will feature a review of the Chamber's Legislative Agenda, presentation of the Legislator of the Year Award, a keynote address by Fred Cartersen, director of the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, and three breakout sessions featuring panels of legislators from our region.
In the vein of informing and educating our members, our Young Professionals of Waterbury Region are presenting their
5th Annual Influential Busniess CEO Speaker Series, this year focused on our local institutes of higher education. The series kicks off on January 12th with a presentation by our very own board chairman and the Campus Director of UCONN Waterbury, Dr. William Pizzuto. This will be followed by seminars featuring Dr. Daisy Cocco DeFilippis, President of Naugatuck Valley Community College, and John Hopkins, CEO of Post University. Don't miss these wonderful opportunities to gain insight into the leaders of these longstanding Waterbury institutions.
We're off to a busy start in 2018, and I'm sure you are too. I hope you'll find the time to join us soon to make connections as well as advocate for your business. As always, my door is open to you and the Chamber staff is here to support your business goals for the new year. You can reach me at (203) 757-0701 or at
[email protected] .
Best Regards and Happy New Year,
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Join Us! - Upcoming Chamber Events
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Naugatuck Chamber Annual Meeting and Lewis A. Dibble Awards
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Wednesday, January 10
5:30 PM
The Crystal Room
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Legislative & Economic Summit
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Tuesday, January 23
7:30 AM
Wyndham Southbury
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Tuesday, January 30
8:00 AM
Waterbury Regional Chamber Office
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YPOWR Influential Business CEO Speaker Series:
Community Cornerstones and Driving Change in Higher Education
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William J. Pizzuto, Ph.D.
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Friday, January, 12
8:00 AM
UCONN, 99 East Main Street, Waterbury
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Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
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Thursday, January 25
8:00 AM
NVCC, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury
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Friday, February 23
8:00 AM
Post University, 800 Country Club Road, Waterbury
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Harold Webster Smith Awards Breakfast
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Friday, February 9 ~ 8:00 AM
Aria Wedding and Banquet Facility, 45 Murphy Road, Prospect
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Welcome to our newest members who have joined over the past month*. We encourage you to connect with these members and learn about how you can work together!
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Annie C. Courtney Foundation
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NCE Home Care
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| Bender Plumbing Supplies |
Paparazzi Boutique |
| CNA Academy of Connecticut |
Smarter With Sara |
| Down to Earth Consulting, LLC |
Third Day Cafe |
| Durco Manufacturing Co., Inc. |
Waterbury Athletic Center |
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Electric Banshee Tattoo
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*Joined December 1 - January 4
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Hiring and Training Programs Available
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Do you need help finding qualified workers for your business? Could you use some financial assistance to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, or training your existing workforce? The Waterbury Regional Chamber is working with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board to help businesses in Greater Waterbury learn more about the available hiring and training programs and whether they qualify for them. This includes providing information on posting jobs on the state's CTHires.com website, as well as information about Manufacturing Innovation Fund Incumbent Worker Training, the Apprenticeship Program, Hiring Veterans, and On the Job Training programs. For information, contact Dave Krechevsky, the Chamber's director of public policy and economic development, at
[email protected] or 203-757-0701.
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Join us at upcoming ribbon cuttings to celebrate your fellow members!
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Friday, January 12
1:00 PM
New Location!
22 Park Place, Naugatuck
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Friday, January 19
11:30 AM
Grand Opening!
34 Brook Street, Waterbury
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*To schedule an upcoming ribbon cutting for your business with the Chamber, contact Membership Services and Communications Director Julie Donato at [email protected]or at (203) 757-0701 ext. 325.
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HR Corner: What HR Needs to Know in 2018
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With the new tax law coming into play, the ACA being changed, somewhat, and just general yearly changes, I am sure many believe there are many new items to review for 2018. The answer is, some yes, some no!
- First of all, the CT State Minimum Wage has remained at $10.10 per hour for general workers, so you can relax there.
- The Individual Mandate for the Affordable Care Act has been eliminated, but that does not affect what was in effect for 2017, and what individuals and businesses must do in 2018 for 2017 reporting.
- The forms 1095-C or 1095-B that need to be distributed to employees, are now required by March 2, 2018, a 30-day extension for this year.
- Remember, the reporting to the IRS via paper for ACA is still Feb. 2, 2018, and April 2, 2018 for electronic filers!
- Also, remember that although the penalties have been waived for the future, the IRS will still charge businesses if they were not in compliance, and their workers received medical benefit reimbursements from the Government.
- The new tax law will go into effect for 2018, however, the old rates and deductions for 2017 are still in effect for your income tax filing.
We will be seeing many changes as the new programs are rolled out, so stay tuned, and call me at KardasLarson for guidance in all of your Human Capital Situations!
The HR Corner is brought to you by Lois A. Krause,
MBA, SPHR, SHRM, SCP - KARDASLARSON, LLC -
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Your Health Care Council Update
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The Health Care Council is preparing the spring HealthMatters Supplement to the Republican-American newspaper, which will focus on important topics in health care and and wellness. This publication is scheduled for Sunday, March 18th, and is an ideal advertising vehicle for health and wellness companies to be showcased next to relevant content to Sunday Republican subscribers. Ads must be reserved by Thursday, February 22nd. All members of the chamber's Health Care Council will be listed in the publication's directory.
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Is your company interested in the Health Care Council or are you a current council member and want to get re-engaged please contact Courtney at [email protected] or 203-757-0701.
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The Waterbury Regional Chamber's Board of Directors sponsored the Holiday Gathering at the Country Club of Waterbury on December 19. Attendees enjoyed exploring the beautiful clubhouse while they ate and drank, listened to music from the Lori Fusco Jazz Ensemble, sampled bourbon from Litchfield Distillery and visited with Santa. A floral raffle showcased the holiday stylings of our member florists, including A Secret Garden Floral, The Orchid Florist, O'Rourke & Birch Florist, and Terri's Flower Shop. Members also brought donations of unwrapped toys to be donated to children in need in the greater Waterbury area.
Thanks to all those who came out to celebrate the holiday season with us and to all of those who assisted in making the evening a success!
See All Event Photos
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The Chamber is bringing an exciting new opportunity for members and their guests to travel to beautiful Tuscany. This 9-Day excursion will depart on October 10, 2018 and is a one-hotel holiday. An informational session will be held at the Chamber offices on Monday, February 12 from 5:30 - 6:45 PM. Limited space available!
Click for Full Trip Details
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YPOWR Business Connection Group
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The Young Professionals of Waterbury Region hosts a bi-weekly Business Connection group meeting with the goal of fostering strong relationships for the future leaders of the Waterbury Region and generating business leads among group members. The group ended 2017 with a celebratory lunch meeting (pictured left) and solidified their 2018 schedule. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 12:00 Noon. Any members of the Young Professionals of Waterbury Region that are interested in becoming members of this regular networking group can contact Julie Donato by clicking here.
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Promote Your Business with Door Prize Donations
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Promote your products and services and get great exposure by donating a gift certificate or item to a Chamber function.
Donated items are drawn as prizes for our monthly Out for Business events, Young Professionals of Waterbury Region networking events, Out for Health events, and more. Donations can also be made specifically to the annual Malcolm Baldrige Awards Dinner silent auction.
When you donate, you can gain a new customer and your business is publicly spotlighted by the Chamber.
Start a Donation Today! - Click Here
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We're working to promote shopping local and shopping Chamber! Our digital initiative provides the opportunity to promote your business and to encourage your fellow members to shop local and utilize your business. Every month, different members will be showcased- and YOU can be a part of it. Click here for further details and consider which month you'd like to sign up for. Contact Julie at
[email protected] today!
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