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UPCOMING EVENTS
Check Out our
Calendar of Events
and make your reservations today!
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LOCAL FIRST OFFERS
If you would like to participate in this member-to-public program
Email The Chamber
NEW OFFERS COMING SOON!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE MEMBERS
5/6/2025 Edition
Browse the latest edition of our popular eBlast, dedicated to keeping you informed about member-sponsored special events, discounts, programs, and more...
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MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The Avon/Canton Chamber offers affordable advocacy, education, marketing and networking resources designed to help your business be successful
| | | | At times we may need to modify events on short notice. For this reason it is very important that you make every effort to read our emails and/or check our website the day of any scheduled event you plan on attending in order to stay informed of any changes | | |
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Walkie Talkies
(typically the 4th Tuesday of the month)
hosted by:
Health & Wellness Connections Networking Group
Free and Open to the public
June 24 | 1:00-2:30 PM
Read More | Register
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Where In the Valley . . . The Great Chamber Quest
Seeking 8 Members To Participate
The Chamber is launching a NEW Legacy Event this July -- WHERE IN THE VALLEY ... THE GREAT CHAMBER QUEST
Inspired by the 'Glass Float Project' popular on Block Island, Where In The Valley . . . The Great Chamber Quest will provide another unique opportunity to drive the public to your bsiness!
From Tuesday, July 15-Friday, July 18, Glass Orb Hunters will follow creative and customized clues appearing on a dedicated Facebook Group that will showcase two participating member businesses each day. By visiting each of the businesses and solving the clues, Hunters will have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind, beautifully hand-blown, colored and dated glass orb created exclusively for this event by local glass blower Peter Greenwood of Riverton.
This interactive event is designed to draw people to your location through creative and customized clues leading them directly to your business. All participating businesses will also receive follow-up marketing to include an eBlast and social media post.
Want To Participate? It's easy. Cost to participate is $50/business. Simply EMAIL THE CHAMBER and we will help you get started. Deadline to participate is Friday, July 11
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Jingle Bell Trolley 2025
Seeking Sponsors and Members To Offer Family-Friendly Activities or Specials
The popular JINGLE BELL TROLLEY is returning on Saturday, November 22! From 10 AM to 2 PM, the Trolley will be making a continuous loop between a total of six shopping destinations -- 3 each in both Avon and Canton -- encouraging riders to 'Shop Local' for the holidays. Below are ways your business can participate:
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Become A Trolley Sponsor
As a sponsor your business will be prominently featured throughout the event, gaining you valuable exposure and brand visibility. From emails, to social media shout-outs, to event signage, the Jingle Bell Trolley provides a variety of ways for you to promote your business.
Available Sponsor Levels
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Offer An Activity or Special
If you are a member whose business is located either at or near any of the Jingle Bell Trolley Stops, OR you have a great idea and would like to partner with a member business located in the area of our stops -- consider offering a family-friendly holiday-themed activity, a one-day special, or a unique coupon -- and we will promote what you are doing through our Jingle Bell Trolley event website, eBlasts, and social media.
Trolley Stops:
- 302 West Main Street, Avon
- Avon Marketplace, Avon
- The Shops at Farmington Valley, Canton
- Canton Village, Canton
- Village of Collinsville
- The Shops at Nod Brook, Avon
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Seeking Hosts for 2027
Business After Hours
Dates Go Quickly -- We are now FULLY BOOKED Through 2026 and are partially booked into 2027!!
If you are interested in taking advantage of this great opportunity to showcase your business these are the remaining 2027 months: February, March, June, September, December
Business After Hours are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 5-7 PM. Those scheduled in the months of January, February, and March have a built-in snow date of the 3rd Wednesday of the month, same time.
Hosts must be able to accommodate 50 attendees and are asked to provide light refreshments. In turn, the Chamber supports our hosts with marketing through our Website, eBlasts, and Social Media Pages. In addition, all hosts receive a copy of the Attendance List following the event.
EMAIL THE CHAMBER To Grab Your Date Before It's Gone!
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Volunteer for a Chamber Project
We recognize that you are all busy, and finding the time to volunteer can be challenging. So instead of committees, we are moving to a PROJECT-BASED format, which will make volunteering less time consuming and much more fun and focused.
Meetings for our projects typically will be kept to an hour, and what day/time you meet will be up to the members working on that particular project. In addition, most project groups will not need to meet year round. The goal is to make your participation on a project specific and based on both what needs to be accomplished and what you like to do.
Below is a list of some of our current projects. Please consider taking part in the success of our Chamber today. REMEMBER -- Any individual from a member company can participate in any of our projects
To Volunteer To Work On One of Our Great Projects EMAIL THE CHAMBER
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This project is best suited for members that are in the fields of health & wellness
An Annual Event -- It includes: Registering members to participate, Obtaining sponsors, Marketing
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This project is open to any member
An Annual Event -- It includes: Organizing member activities at each stop, Obtaining sponsors, Marketing
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This project is open to any member
This is a monthly commitment -- It includes Calling/
Emailing/
Visiting current, new, and prospective Chamber members
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This project is open to any member
An Annual Event -- It includes: Organizing a Food Drive, Obtaining sponsors, Marketing
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Member Savings with Constant Contact
Avon/Canton Chamber of Commerce
Members Can Save:
20% when you pre-pay for 6 months
25% when you pre-pay for 12 months
Non-Profits save 30% when you pre-pay for a year
This benefit is good for both New and Existing Constant Contact customers!
CLICK HERE to learn more about how you can save with this great new benefit
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The Valley Workspaces
Chamber Sharing Suites
Don't Wait to Take Advantage of This
Extremely Popular Benefit!
- Need A Place to Meet a Client,
- A Temporary Private Office Space to Work,
- An Opportunity to Connect/Collaborate with Other Professionals
The Valley Workspaces Chamber Sharing Suites -- a Chamber collaboration with member E.N.E. Realty Associates -- have just what you need -- Quality, Professional, Flexible, Affordable, Safe Co-Working/Meeting Space conveniently located in the heart of the Farmington Valley -- A great solution for Remote Workers, Self-Employed, Freelancers, and Contract Workers.
Available by the hour, day, week or month to both Member and Non-Member area businesses. Chamber members receive a special discount!
Interested? CLICK HERE to Learn More
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Get Your Membership Decal!
Prominently displaying your Membership Decal (not recommended for painted or wallpapered surfaces)-- lets customers know that you are part of a local organization dedicated to fostering a strong and vibrant business community and enhancing the local economy.
Virtual Membership Decals Also Available! -- Our Membership Decal is also available in jpg format by request for display on your website, social media pages, and/or your email signature line -- showing that you are a reputable local business committed to contributing to the positive growth and prosperity of your community.
Need A Membership Decal? EMAIL THE CHAMBER to request yours Today!
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Capital Workforce Partners Subsidized Employment Program
Capital Workforce Partners, the workforce development board for North Central Connecticut, is actively seeking businesses to participate in their Subsidized Employment Program, which helps American Job Center clients gain workforce development and training.
The program lasts for up to 26 weeks, with their clients working 20-30 hours per week, and being paid directly by the American Job Center. Businesses choose what role they would like participants to fulfill, and can choose to end the assignment at any time if things are not working out as planned.
The Program is currently seeking positions in the fields of: Administrative/Office Work, Customer Service, Early Childhood Education, Food Service, Hospitality, the Trades, and more.
If your business is interested in participating, Contact Nichole Milton
Business Services Lead at 860-899-3494 or email nmilton@capitalworkforce.org
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CT Department of Labor
Business Engagement Unit
The CT Department of Labor Business Engagement Unit supports businesses with a variety of no-cost services, including: Employer Seminars covering various compliance and employment law topics; Assistance with Recruitment and Hiring; Referrals to Resources and Programs to support your business needs. MORE INFORMATION
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Access Free Small Business Training Courses Through the SBA Connecticut District Learning Platform
Looking to gain knowledge on business basics or enhance your professional development? The SBA's Learning Platform is a great place to start. Learn whenever you want -- Courses are free and available 24/7, and can be accessed from both your desktop or mobile device. Topics include planning, launching, marketing, and more. You can also access tools like 'Ascent', a learning platform for women entrepreneurs. To learn more or to register for an upcoming event visit UPCOMING SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING TOPICS
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CT Small Business Boost Fund
The Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund is a new resource supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, and is designed to give small business owners access to flexible funding for capital expenditures and working capital; as well as have the option of receiving free business guidance before, during, and after the application process.
Small businesses and non-profits can borrow between $5,000 and $500,000 depending on eligibility and need, at a fixed interest rate of 4.5%, and can then choose how they spend the money. Businesses will need to pay back the full amount of the loan with interest over a 60- to 72-month term.
Eligibility requirements include being Connecticut based, having no more than 100 full-time employees, and annual revenues of less than $8 million. MORE INFORMATION
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Town of Avon
Updating of Zoning Regulations
UPDATE
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Though no Community Engagement Sessions were ever scheduled, as were indicated to be happening in the orignial Town of Avon Zoning Regulations Update StoryMap, PUBLIC HEARINGS are currently taking place. March 11, 2025 Public Hearing, March 18, 2025 Public Hearing, along with a A Public Hearing on the Zoning Regulations was continued to April 29, but did not take place and has not been rescheduled as of the Commission's May 27 Agenda. Stay up-to-date on the latest by CLICKING HERE
The Town of Avon is currently conducting a baseline review and assessment of the existing Zoning Code as well as the POCD, and an outline will be prepared to show how the Code could be updated to be more user-friendly.
The Town's Planning & Zoning Commission held Special Meetings/Workshops with SLR Consulting on March 5, 2024, June 19, 2024, August 27, 2024, and November 12, 2024
Stay up-to-date on this project by Bookmarking the Town of Avon Zoning Regulations Update StoryMap, You can also Follow the Town's Facebook Page, and/or Subscribe to Avon Town News
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Town of Canton
Route 44 Corridor Study
DRAFT FINAL REPORT
Following a Second Public Information Meeting on June 13, 2024 where conceptual transportation improvements for Route 44 and Dowd Avenue within the study area were presented and discussed; and a Public Survey that was released immediately following the June 13 meeting, a Third Public Information Meeting was held on December 9, 2024 to present and discuss Preferred Improvement Alternatives -- CLICK HERE to view the PowerPoint of the presentation.
The Town of Canton, in coordination with the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), is undertaking a US-44 Corridor Study, the purpose of which is to: Collect data on existing conditions (traffic counts, signals, infrastructure); Obtain feedback from the public, Town staff, business owners, and CTDOT; Develop possible alternatives for implementation. The study area is from Canton Village Shopping Center to the Simsbury Town Line, and Dowd Avenue from Canton Hollow to US-44.
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