Chamber Member News | July 2020
Celebrating Our Members
July 2020
Welcome New Members:
A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be!



*Joined 6/1/2020 - 7/1/2020
Events From Your Fellow Members
United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls 36th John E. Letts Sr. Memorial Golf Tournament (August 25)
The United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls works to advance the common good by increasing opportunities for children and youth to succeed; helping people become more self-sufficient in meeting their basic needs; and increasing financial stability. We are proud to support our partner agencies that help to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors every day. Proceeds for the annual golf event provide support to our member agencies, which provide services to our families, friends and neighbors. We ask for your support. Please consider sponsoring a hole, donating a raffle prize and recruiting players to participate in this “FUN”raiser. To view all details and registration form, click here.

Carolyn's Place Summer Programming
Webinar: Protecting Your Company’s Digital Identity & IT Assets (July 22nd)
At Valued Technology Services, we are focused on providing your company with proactive IT support, network support and maintenance, cloud services, security, and data management. When partnering with Valued Technology Services, we ensure that your IT assets are protected and fully supported. To help keep you informed of potential threats and how we’re meeting them head on, I would like to invite you to learn how proactive IT solutions will benefit your organization during our upcoming webinar, “Protecting Your Company’s Digital Identity & IT Assets,” which will take a close look at how your business credentials end up for sale on the Dark Web and what can be done to monitor and detect when your organization is at risk. Join in for Protecting Your Company’s Digital Identity & IT Assets on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM. You can Join Webinar Here.
Have questions about this webinar? Contact Douglas M. Hopson, President & CEO, dhopson@valuedtechnologyservices.com    

Foxwoods Welcoming Back Guests; Hosting Drive-In Movie Nights
Join Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board for Strategic Planning Conversations Help Us Fill Your Industry’s Workforce Needs
We need your input to help the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board reimagine how to best serve the region’s businesses and jobseekers.
                      
Purpose: The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board , which has oversight of the three American Job Centers located throughout the Northwest Connecticut Region in Waterbury, Torrington, and Danbury, is in the process of updating our strategic plan for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In order to continuously improve this  comprehensive strategy, we are seeking input from targeted industry sectors. The updates to the strategic plan will be guided by information shared during focus groups about skill needs, workforce trends, challenges, and how businesses are currently engaged.
Please join us for industry specific discussions that will be scheduled July 13 th through July 21 st , via Go To Meeting. Topics will include:
§   The skills/credentials your workers need
§   Training you would like to see offered
§   What has already been achieved through your engagement with the Northwest regional workforce system
§   Areas that are lacking

It is the charge of the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) to develop and sustain an effective labor market system that facilitates economic development and business growth in our region. The NRWIB holds partnerships with local businesses, government, education, labor and human services agencies which all work together to provide the delivery of workforce development services.

Please send all RSVPs and questions to Pam LaRosa at pam@nwctchamberofcommerce.org  or by calling 860-482-6586 or 203-574-6971 ext 457.   Once the RSVP is received, you will receive the appropriate Go To Meeting link.

CO Sports Academy to Present 4th Annual "Victory Always" Golf Tournament (August 8)
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Member News and Updates
Bank of America Announces $1 Billion/4-Year Commitment to Support Economic Opportunity Initiatives 
Bank of America announced today that it is making a $1 billion, four-year commitment of additional support to help local communities address economic and racial inequality accelerated by a global pandemic. The programs will be focused on assisting people and communities of color that have experienced a greater impact from the health crisis.

“Underlying economic and social disparities that exist have accelerated and intensified during the global pandemic,” said CEO Brian Moynihan. “The events of the past week have created a sense of true urgency that has arisen across our nation, particularly in view of the racial injustices we have seen in the communities where we work and live. We all need to do more.”  

The work builds on economic mobility and workforce development programs Bank of America already supports in local markets, but will sharpen the focus of that work, accelerate the resources, and add a particular emphasis on health services during the pandemic. The announcement is aligned with the company’s commitment to responsible growth for clients, shareholders, employees and communities.  

Areas of focus will be:
1. Health 
2. Jobs/Training/Reskilling/Upskilling
3. Support to Small Businesses
4. Housing

The programs will be executed through the company’s 91 local U.S. market presidents and non-U.S. country executives to help develop the opportunities to execute on these commitments in areas that include:
  • Virus testing, telemedicine, flu vaccination clinics, and other health services, with a special focus on communities of color.
  • Partnerships with historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions in the United States for hiring, research programs, and other areas of mutual opportunity.
  • Support to minority-owned small businesses, including clients and vendors.
  •  Career reskilling/upskilling through partnerships with high schools and community colleges.
  • Operating support and investment for affordable housing/neighborhood revitalization, leveraging our nearly $5 billion in Community Development Banking. 
  • Further recruitment and retention of teammates in low-to-moderate-income and disadvantaged communities to build on work the company has already done to serve clients locally.

This work builds on steps the company has already taken, including an additional $100 million to support its nonprofit partners across its communities, and $250 million to assist with lending to the smallest and minority-owned businesses through its support to community development financial and minority depository institutions. 

Rose Insurance Agency Welcomes New Team Member Carlos Arrindell
Our member Rose Insurance Agency is proud to welcome Carlos Arrindell to their team! Carlos can be reached at (203) 735-9591 ext 112 or carlos@roseinsurancect.com.

Rose Insurance Agency, located in Oxford Connecticut, has been providing insurance products to the residents of Oxford and surrounding states for over 50 years. We are a third-generation agency located in Oxford. The agency has grown steadily over the years, thanks to new and loyal clients.
Rose Insurance Agency employs an experienced staff knowledgeable with up-to-date insurance options.

Whether personal or commercial, Rose Insurance Agency provides a personalized approach and offers the most appropriate amount of insurance coverage based on the client’s needs. Rose Agency offers auto insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial insurance, farm insurance, and more to clients in Connecticut.

The Perfect Promotion offers Products for Smart Reopenings
Free, Award-Winning Resource Available to Chamber Members
Tom Cas ey of Discussion Partners Collaborative is offering his latest book, "Leadership Development: The Next Curve to Flatten" in digital form complimentary to his fellow Chamber members. The book recently garnered accolades in Japan, recognized by the Japanese Association of Chief Human Resource Officers who give book awards semi-annually. The book is focused on the need for organizations to reflect on how they develop future leaders focusing on empathy and trust in addition to traditional performance metrics. To read the book for free, simply click here: Leadership Development: The Next Curve to Flatten.
  
Chip Janiszewski Enterprises Launches New Video Campaign
Chip Janiszewski, the Happiness and Success GPS, is a professional speaker, trainer, facilitator, consultant, and networking specialist, and he's ready to connect the dots and get results for you, your business, and your team. Learn more about Chip by watching his new video or visit his website at https://chipj.com/

Branagan Communications Consultants LLC Publicity Campaign for MazzMedia’s Silver Telly Award
Barbara Branagan-Mitchell, owner of Branagan Communications Consultants, LLC for 27 years, a public relations, publicity placement and marketing communications specialist agency, launched a publicity placement campaign for MazzMedia, an Emmy Award-winning multi-media production company in Southington. MazzMedia won a prestigious Silver Telly Award for its production of a 16-part social media series entitled, “Bristol Mayor’s Opioid Task Force”. The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens that annually receives over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Branagan Communications Consultants specializes in ‘creating positive awareness’ of a company or organization via press release placements in media outlets across Connecticut. Barbara Branagan-Mitchell offers free phone consultations to help businesses learn how they can publicize current or upcoming activities, achievements, recognitions, etc. Visit https://www.branagancommunications.com , call Barbara Branagan-Mitchell at 860-210-0149 or email to barbara@branagancommunications.com .

CohnReznick LLP Offering PPP Loan Forgiveness Support
Our specialized SBA Task Force has focused on navigating businesses and their owners through the CARES Act and the PPP loan process during this unprecedented and uncertain time.
A new milestone is quickly approaching: PPP loan forgiveness. We are here to offer customized assistance with two services to confirm proper governance through the complex forgiveness process to help ensure that your business does not leave any forgiveness on the table:
  • PPP loan forgiveness consulting to support your application and optimize your forgiveness, including consideration of eligible payroll and non-payroll costs, optimization and calculation of FTEs, salary computations, rehire exemptions, required documentation, and other items relating to the forgiveness calculation.
  • Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) Engagements, an assurance service in which our team of independent accountants examines your documentation of expenses related to PPP loan forgiveness.
For more information, reach out to your CohnReznick engagement partner or to one of our PPP loan forgiveness experts, Jeff Bobrosky and Stephanie O’Rourk . Find more details on our web page . 


Comcast Extends Offer of 60 days Free Internet Service to Eligible New Customers Amid COVID Pandemic
As the current school year comes to an end, school districts across the country are already announcing plans for when school returns in the fall. To help provide additional support to students and families, Comcast today announced it will continue to provide 60 days of free Internet service to new, eligible Internet Essentials customers. Originally set to expire on June 30, the free offer will now be available through the end of this year. In addition, Comcast will continue to waive, through the end of the year, the requirement that customers not have a past due balance with Comcast to qualify for the free offer.

“For almost a decade, Comcast has been helping to level the playing field for families in need so they can benefit from all the Internet has to offer. So, we’re happy to be able to extend this 60 days of free Internet service to new customers,” said Dana Strong, President of Xfinity Consumer Services. “Now more than ever, connectivity has become a vital tool for families to access educational resources for students, important news and information about their community and the world, telehealth applications, or to stay in touch with family and friends.”

Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than two million low-income families to the Internet, serving approximately eight million people. During that period, the program has grown from focusing on bridging the “homework gap” for school-age children to being deeply invested in providing digital equity. The program, which offers low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax, also provides multiple options to access free digital skills training in print, online, and in person. In addition, customers have the option to purchase a low-cost Internet-ready computer.

Internet Essentials is structured in partnership between Comcast and tens of thousands of school districts, libraries, elected officials, and nonprofit community partners. For individuals and organizations interested in becoming a partner, please visit: https://partner.internetessentials.com to order free collateral materials that will also be shipped free of charge.

Applicants can go to: www.internetessentials.com using any web-connected device, including mobile phones. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. In addition, there are two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
 
Connecticut Manufacturing Assistance Center
Upgrade your business with the help of CMAC, an industry leading specialist in hand assembly and quality assurance. At CMAC, the quality, care and control are the same as you would want in your own facility. Let us take your hand assembly needs and execute them to your specifications and on your schedule.

Planning your next move?
Look no further! The Connecticut Manufacturing Assistance Center is here for all your hand assembly and quality assurance needs. Centrally located in Waterbury, CT, CMAC’s unique operation can assist by providing a high quality and on time product for you. For more information contact: Zachary Westfahl 920-204-4969 or email Zach.zach.westfahl@gmail.com

AARP Connecticut Offers Year-Round Discounts
AARP Connecticut offers members terrific year-round opportunities to save money and connect them with people and places in their community while supporting local, nonprofit educational and cultural venues.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall – AARP members can enjoy great discounts on admission and memberships to a variety of Connecticut museums and cultural attractions, local theater, musical performances, educational classes, and more!

New offers are added throughout the year so bookmark  www.aarp.org/ctdiscounts  and check back often for information about current discounts for AARP members and updates. Special restrictions may apply, so please be sure to read all offer details before purchasing. For information about discounts for AARP members from exclusive merchants and national retailers,  click here .

Palace Theater Affinity Program
Did you know that as a Chamber member you get special discounts to select shows at the Palace Theater? As an affinity member, you receive a minimum 10% discount off most Palace events with the opportunity to receive even larger discounts on certain performances. When you purchase tickets by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Palace Theater Box Office, mention to your sales and service representative before the point of purchase that you are a Waterbury Regional Chamber Member and would like to take advantage of the Affinity Discount. If you are purchasing tickets online, at www.palacetheaterct.org, use the Promotional Code: WRC. Please keep in mind that some restrictions may apply and discounts may only pertain to certain seating sections based on performance restrictions. For more information on show specific discounts, please contact the Palace Theater Box Office at 203-346-2000.
 
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