True economic development will never occur in silos, and nowhere is that more evident than in Central Connecticut. Here, strength is in unity, collaboration, and a legacy of working together to achieve positive outcomes.
For 136 years, the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce have worked to foster regional prosperity and vitality through business growth and entrepreneurship and the provision of advocacy, education and training, networking opportunities, and member support. And now, with more than 1,700 members and counting, the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce and its partners are working collectively to continue this good work for the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, Wolcott, and beyond.
A legacy in action
Though the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce have existed under different names and iterations throughout their long history, over the last 12 years the organization has evolved to become an umbrella organization that offers support and advocacy, hosting more than 100 events annually to provide opportunities for education, networking, and camaraderie.
Recognized as the second largest Chamber in the state (though it aims to one day claim that top spot), according to President and CEO Katie D’Agostino, the organization adds more than 120 new members annually who “lean on us to provide that education, legislative guidance, and advocacy to make sure that they’re able to focus on running their business.”
In March 2021, with the receipt of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, in partnership with the City of Bristol (though it serves all of Connecticut), the Chamber helped establish BristolWORKS!. A non-profit that provides low-cost education, skills training, and employability services, BristolWORKS! acts as a conduit between the needs of the business community and subject matter experts who can best address those needs.
“We initially launched programs in manufacturing, healthcare, IT, and early childhood education—and those programs remain strong today. Since then, we’ve also refined our offerings and added new programs to better meet the evolving needs of our community and local businesses.” explains Kim Ward Holley, Executive Director of BRISTOLWorks!.
“One of the biggest things we’re doing right now is working with local employers to assist them with the training needs of their current employees,” she says. “Employers who qualify can access Incumbent Worker funding to get reimbursed 50 percent of the training costs up to a certain amount every year. This is a great opportunity for employers to invest in their staff at a lower cost to the employer.”
AI and advanced technology are among those areas of focus, ensuring that members are not falling behind the technology curve, especially given the rapid pace of technological advancement. This could be something as simple as employing a virtual assistant to free up bandwidth, or the establishment of policies and best practices around its use.
As D’Agostino notes, “When personal computers first entered the workplace, many feared they would eliminate jobs. Instead, they transformed them—automating routine tasks, increasing productivity, and creating entirely new careers. Today, AI stands at a similar crossroads. While there is understandable concern about disruption, history shows that innovation doesn’t erase opportunity—it reshapes it, rewarding those willing to adapt and learn.”
Energizing success
The Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce are also working to educate members about valuable resources available in the community. There is an initiative underway with Energize CT, a state-run program designed to help rate-payers lower operating costs by making energy efficiency improvements in their facility in alignment with Connecticut’s energy goals.
For instance, the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program offers no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment for small businesses. These assessments identify opportunities to make energy-saving improvements to their facilities, complete with incentives and zero-interest payment plans that can help business owners take advantage of the energy savings and long-term advantages more quickly and simply.
“Partnering with the Chambers to educate businesses about this opportunity has been incredibly meaningful,” explains Christina D’Amato, Vice President of Business Development for Energy Resources USA. There is funding available to support the business community, but many business owners simply aren’t aware these programs exist.
She adds, “This is a powerful way for organizations to better understand their facilities and implement practical improvements that positively impact their bottom line. That’s the feel-good part for me with small businesses and nonprofit organizations,” where cost savings can mean the world to a small business or new business owner working hard to grow and sustain their operations.
Once again, this is timely due to the rapid advancements in energy-efficient technologies, combined with rising energy costs. It makes it more critical than ever for businesses to stay informed.
“The educational component of this partnership is what matters most,” D’Amato says. “Technology is constantly evolving, and so are the incentives available through energy efficiency programs. It’s essential that businesses stay aware of current opportunities and continue to keep energy efficiency top of mind.”
Growth through partnership
Partnership and collaboration are at the heart of the work of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. The organization itself is the result of the coming together of stakeholders who share a common goal of pushing the needle forward for the business community in Central Connecticut and statewide.
D’Agostino acknowledges the economic development teams in the region who play such an important role in this regard. “We have a great reciprocal relationship with every single one of our economic development directors in the region,” she says. “They are basically our first phone calls every day. If something comes up, they keep us in the loop and vice versa.”
The Chambers also serve as a conduit between members and decision makers at the legislative level to ensure that policies and programs are meeting their needs and creating business-friendly environments in which to thrive. “We’re able to have those personal relationships with our legislators at the State Capitol and they really do sit down and listen to our members,” says D’Agostino. “They really do take the time to get to know our members.”
From a legislative standpoint, this year the organization will focus on four primary tenets with lawmakers, including workforce development, energy, AI, and healthcare, addressing gaps that exist while advancing the membership and the organization as a whole.
“Our long-term goal is to continue to make sure our membership knows that we are a trusted partner for them, and we never take that for granted,” says D’Agostino.
And as a trusted partner with a long legacy of demonstrated impact, the organization continues to identify ways to remain a source of guidance, education, advocacy, networking, and support for the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville, Plymouth, Thomaston, Wolcott, and beyond, advancing the best interests of the business community in Central Connecticut and the state as a whole to maximize the benefits for all.
