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Congratulations to Derek Ezovski 
Owner of Outsourced Risk Management Solutions
(ORMS) | 7 South Main Street | West Hartford
Awarded SBA's 2026 Small Business Week
Small Business Person of the Year!

NEWS RELEASE

CONNECTICUT

Release Date: March 27th, 2026                    


CONNECTICUT — The SBA Connecticut District Office announces its Small Business Week 2026 Awardees! “This year’s award winners embody the determination, and innovation it takes to succeed in pursuing the American Dream,’ said Catherine Marx, Connecticut District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. “During National Small Business Week, we celebrate entrepreneurs who keep Connecticut’s economy moving forward.”

The SBA Connecticut Small Business Week event is being planned in collaboration with CBIA. “The entrepreneurs, innovators, and job creators on this list represent more than just small business owners,” said CBIA President and CEO Chris DiPentima. “They set a standard of excellence and reflect the very best of Connecticut’s small business community. As the land of small business, these award winners are leading the way—driving opportunity and growth across our state.”

The Connecticut Small Business Award Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 6th at the Bristol Events Center, Bristol, CT. The SBA Connecticut Small Business Week event is co-sponsored by CBIA. To attend, register here: National Small Business Week 2026 - CBIA.

Exploring Franchise Ownership & SBA Financing

Wednesday April 22nd, 2026 | 11am | Online | Free Registration


Join SBA for a free webinar to dive into franchise ownership basics and how SBA loans can make it happen! 

Free webinar, registration required.

AI for Small Business - Opportunity and Risks
Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 1-2pm | Live Webinar
Free | Registration Required

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just for big tech - it’s already shaping how small businesses market, operate, and grow. But along with new opportunities come real legal and financial risks that many business owners aren’t aware of. Discover what AI can actually do for your business today, where it can go wrong, and how to protect yourself in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Find out:

• What AI can (and can’t) do right now.
• How an imaginary small business is leveraging AI - and what they learned the hard way.
• Why AI-generated logos, branding, and content may not be protected - and could expose you.
• When “perfect-looking” AI-generated agreements fail in court.
• New enforcement efforts from the CT Attorney General and potential fines.
• Practical defenses you can put in place immediately to reduce risk.

Whether you’re already using AI or just starting to explore it, gain the clarity and confidence to move forward - without putting your business at risk.

Gear Up for Growth

Wednesdays: May 13th, 20th and 27th, 2026 | 6-8pm

Better Business Bureau | 29 Berlin Road | Cromwell

Mondays: June 8th, 15th and 22nd

CT Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) | 222 Pitkin St | East Hartford

Free | Registration Required

You’ve jump-started your business — now it’s time to shift into a higher gear. 

Gear Up for Growth is a hands-on, in-person workshop series designed for graduates of My Business Jump Start and other early-stage entrepreneurs ready to strengthen their operations, boost sales, and improve financial performance.


Over three dynamic sessions, participants will learn practical strategies to refine daily management, build a stronger brand presence, and prepare for smart financing opportunities.

Leave ready to lead with confidence, drive your business forward, and turn early success into lasting achievement.


Night 1 -- Managing for Success

Night 2 -- Boosting your Sales and Marketing 

Night 3 -- Financial Performance and Finding Capital 

• The CT Manufacturing Internship Program 2026 and
• CT Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Career Fair

CT MANUFACTURING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Contract Ready: A Checklist for Doing Business with the State and Tips for Navigating CT Source

Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 | 12pm | Online | Free Registration

The State of Connecticut purchases everything from catering and construction services —and your business could be part of it. In this session, the Department of Administrative Services will offer a practical, step‑by‑step overview of how to become contract‑ready, and how to register for and navigate CTsource.

Capital Workforce Partners
2026 Summer Youth Employment 
and Learning Program

Application Portal Officially Opened!

Three-Day Workshop

Machine Modeling Intensive
Wednesday, June 24-26th, 2026 | 9am-4pm 
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology

CCAT in partnership with Third Wave Systems will guide engineers, machinists, and programmers to deliver complex, high-value components faster while maintaining stringent quality standards within a model-based engineering (MBE) workflow.


Traditional trial and error machining approaches often lead to delays, scraps, and cost overruns. By understanding heat generation and material stress during the machining process, engineers gain insights that are difficult or impossible to capture through physical machine trials alone. This hands-on workshop will show participants how to evaluate machining strategies, reduce cycle times, and determine toolpaths with confidence before ever cutting a single chip.

Workforce Development

Assistance for Employers
CT Department of Labor Rapid Response Team Services

Neighborhood Assistance Act 
Tax Credit Program

Applications are being accepted now through April 24 for the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program, which provides funding to municipal and tax-exempt organizations through a corporate business tax credit for businesses that make cash contributions to these entities.

The community programs must be approved by both the municipality where the programs are conducted and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS).


A tax credit equal to 100% of the cash invested is available to business firms that invest in energy conservation projects and comprehensive college access loan forgiveness programs.

A tax credit equal to 60% of the cash invested is available to business firms that invest in programs that provide neighborhood assistance, job training, education, community services, crime prevention, construction or rehabilitation of dwelling units for families of low and moderate income in the state, donation of money to an open space acquisition fund, child care centers and services, community-based alcoholism prevention or treatment and more. (Click here for a complete list).

Complete the 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Act Program NAA-01 form and submit a paper copy by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, to:

Neighborhood Assistance Act Program

50 South Main Street, Room 128

West Hartford, CT 06107

Please ensure your form is accurately completed and includes all required documentation before submission.

For questions or assistance, contact Luan Ceka at 860-561-7562 or luan.ceka@westhartfordct.gov.

For additional information, please visit the State of CT's Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program website.

Stop by for:


- Exclusive Indie Bookstore Day merch

- Giveaways galore

- Blind dates with a book (free

- @ctbooktrail Passport stamping stations

- Refreshments

- Plus a few more surprises!

Congratulations to Meghan Hayden and her team on their new home. So happy to see you continuing to grow in Town!

River Bend Bookshop has two reasons to celebrate in April! Their new location at 224 Park Road and Independent Bookstore Day next Saturday, April 25th!

Join them and check out their new space for an all day party! They will open an hour early, festivities run from 9am-6pm.


Kumon - recently opened at 345 North Main Street, Suite 040, the lower level of The Shops at Bishops Corner.

Offering after-school academic enrichment for children, including math and reading programs designed to build study skills, confidence, and independence. 

Congratulations to owner, Steve Sang on his second Kumon franchise. Looking forward to celebrating at your ribbon cutting on April 20th!

Now that spring has sprung...the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District (WHBHD) reminds residents and businesses of their responsibilities for maintaining their properties in the following Q&A:


Are overgrown hedges that reduce the full width of a sidewalk a violation?


Yes. Residents are asked to trim back or remove vegetation that hangs over sidewalks (West Hartford Code: Chapter 115-22). A wheelchair or stroller should be able to use the full width of the public sidewalk without having to go onto the grass. In addition, shrubs, hedges, grass and plants should not obstruct any sign.

The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District enforces this ordinance. They can be reached at 860-561-7900. 


Enforcement of these ordinances is not intended to burden property owners, but instead to raise awareness of the responsibilities of maintaining your property so West Hartford is a safe and enjoyable community.

Kristen Gorski

Economic Development Manager

Town of West Hartford

Cell: (860) 960-6136

kristen.gorski@westhartfordct.gov

Lauren Siegel

Economic Development Specialist

Town of West Hartford

Cell: (860) 969-7561

lauren.siegel@westhartfordct.gov

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