A Note from our President, Lynn Ward |
Dear Chamber Member,
With improving weather on the way, the Chamber has many events lined up over the next few weeks.
I hope to see all of our Members at our 132nd Annual Business meeting taking place next Tuesday, April 19 from noon until 2 p.m. We will look back at our accomplishments of the past year, elect and re-elect Board Members, and hear from keynote speaker David Lehman, Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and a Senior Economic Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont. We will also honor many members who are celebrating their 40th, 30th, 20th, or 10th year with the Chamber! Thank you all for your continued support!
On Thursday, April 28 we are holding a job fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in partnership with American Job Center at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. If you are a company with job openings and would like to attend, email jviolette@waterburychamber.com, as space is limited. We are just about at capacity, so don't wait to register!
Looking to do some travelling this year? Join the Chamber on a trip to the Amalfi Coast and Rome from October 4 to 12. If you reserve your spot by April 24, you will save $100 off the trip price. For more information, visit this link.
You can reach me, as always, at (203) 757-0701 or lward@waterburychamber.com. Keep scrolling for this month’s updates and events to take full advantage of what our Chamber has to offer.
Thank you, more than ever, for your continued membership,
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In This Issue:
- President's Note
- A Message from Newsletter Sponsor: Post University
- HR Corner
- In the News
- Welcome New Members
- Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
- Free HBJ and New Haven Biz Subscription Offers
- Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- Hiring/Training Programs
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Message From Newsletter Sponsor,
Post University
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Post University Names Caitlyn Masiewicz as University Registrar
Post University is pleased to announce the appointment of Caitlyn Masiewicz as university registrar. Masiewicz has served as interim university registrar for Post since August of 2021 and has worked in various roles at Post for 14 years.
As University Registrar, Masiewicz will helm the office’s responsibilities in providing helpful academic information and services to students, faculty, and administration. She will also implement processes which efficiently and accurately maintain student data, oversee evaluation and application of transfer credit, development of articulation and affiliation agreements, conferral of degrees and certificates, as well as uphold and enforce all academic University policies.
“For more than a decade, Caitlyn has been dedicated to advancing the needs of Post’s students and faculty. As someone who has worked at nearly every level in our university system, she holds a deep understanding of our long-term vision,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Post University provost. “I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead the Registrar’s Office and am so excited to see what she’ll accomplish in this next part of her journey at Post.”
Masiewicz brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about the university’s academic offerings, student life and culture to her new position. She began her career at Post in 2008 as a residence hall director and student disability services coordinator. While in her role with residence life, Masiewicz earned her master’s in education at Post. After graduating in 2011, Masiewicz transitioned into an academic advising role with Main Campus. For the next seven years she rose within the department, serving as the director of Main Campus advising and as senior director of Main Campus enrollment.
She has played an integral role in updating and implementing Post’s student information systems, ensuring the accuracy of student records and promoting efficiency in students’ academic process. She is inspired by the hard work and dedication of the students at Post along with the comradery and community of the associates she works with on a daily basis.
Masiewicz earned her undergraduate degree from Central Connecticut State University. In addition to serving the students and faculty at Post, she enjoys traveling to Walt Disney World and spending time with friends and family and lives with her husband in Waterbury, CT.
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State Begins Sending Reminders to Connecticut Employers to Adopt Their Own Retirement Plan or Register with the MyCTSavings Program |
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In 2016, Connecticut enacted legislation to ensure that most employers in the state offer their employees a way to save for retirement, either through a traditional employer-sponsored plan like a 401(k) plan, or a payroll deduction program to be developed by the state.
Fast-forward nearly six years later, that payroll deduction program has finally arrived. As a result, employers in Connecticut will need to take action by either adopting their own retirement plan or enrolling their employees in the new state program over the next several months.
On Friday, April 1, 2022, a three-month period begins for Connecticut employers with 100 or more employees to either register with, or opt out of, the MyCTSavings program overseen by the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority (“CRSA”). Employers that already offer their employees one or more qualified retirement plans, such as a 401(k) or 403(b) plan, traditional pension or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), are exempt from the program. However, exempt employers must still opt out of the state program by certifying to the state that they already offer a qualified retirement plan to their workforce, according to the CRSA.
Under the 2016 law, known as Public Act 16-29, the MyCTSavings program applies to many small businesses in Connecticut. Covered employers include any business, including nonprofits, that had at least five (5) employees who received at least $5,000 in wages in the prior calendar year. Employees are eligible to participate in the program if they have worked for a covered employer for at least 120 days and are at least 19 years of age. The law provides a default employee payroll deduction of 3% of the employee’s gross pay to a Roth IRA, which is a post-tax contribution that grows tax-free under current federal law. Employees may individually opt out of this savings program, or adjust their contribution rate within certain limits.
The first registration/opt-out deadline, referred to as “Wave 1” by the CRSA, is June 30, 2022, and applies to larger employers (100+ employees). The registration/opt-out deadlines for smaller businesses are as follows:
· “Wave 2” (employers with 26-99 employees): April 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022.
· Wave 3” (employers with 5-25 employees): April 1, 2022 through March 30, 2023.
Covered employers that fail to facilitate employee participation in the program may be liable for penalties.
If you have questions about what you can do to improve your employee retention, contact a member of Carmody’s Labor and Employment team.
This information is for educational purposes only to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
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132nd Annual Meeting, Upcoming Events
By Lynn Ward
On Tuesday, April 19, our Waterbury Regional Chamber will host its 132nd annual business meeting from noon until 2 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. During the annual meeting, we will highlight our accomplishments of the past year, elect and re-elect board members, and hear from keynote speaker David Lehman, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and a Senior Economic Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont. Additionally, we will acknowledge 37 companies who are celebrating their 40th, 30th, 20th, or 10th year milestone as a Chamber member!
Presiding over the annual meeting is Board of Directors Chairwoman Mary Rosengrant-Chiappalone of Biondi & Rosengrant, LLC.
“The last year proved to be one the most unpredictable times for the Chamber in its 132-year history, as our community continued to be challenged by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rosengrant-Chiappalone said. “Our business community, membership, and Chamber found bold and innovative ways to continue providing the resources, news, networking opportunities, and other information that residents and businesses needed to adapt and succeed. At our Annual Business Meeting, we look forward to reflecting on the unwavering commitment of so many individuals and organizations, honoring longtime members, hearing from our keynote speaker, and electing new board members.”
Our premier sponsor for this event is Thomaston Savings Bank; our Corporate Sponsor is Barker Specialty. All business leaders are welcome to attend by registering on waterburychamber.com.
Find an event that fits you
The Waterbury Regional Chamber and our affiliate chambers have many exciting events coming up over the next few months.
Do you know someone looking for a job? With funding from a CARES grant, the Chamber has partnered with the Northwestern American Job Center to bring together more than 50 area employers for a spring job fair on Tuesday, April 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. Employers are welcome to register and job seekers are encouraged to attend.
Our next Out for Business networking event will take place on Wednesday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Residences at Quarry Walk in Oxford. Out for Business events give members and potential members the opportunity to visit the site of a member business, network, enjoy food and drink, socialize, and have the chance to win a door prize.
On Friday, May 13, I will host our next Wake Up Your Business virtual networking event. This online opportunity from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Zoom, gives members and individuals interested learning more about the benefits of the Chamber to make new connections, grow their business, and create more visibility. Invite a friend or two; registration is free.
Are you looking for a family-friendly event? The Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce will host the 17th Annual Duck Race and Festival on Sunday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Naugatuck. The day will feature live music, a petting zoo, activities and entertainment for children, food vendors, business vendors, crafters, and of course, the early anticipated Duck Race, which involves thousands of rubber ducks racing down the Naugatuck river for a prize of $5,000 cash. As part of Duck Day, you can support many area non-profit organizations by purchasing a raffle ticket, which puts you in the running for one of 20 prizes, including $5,000 cash!
We have many other exciting opportunities in the weeks and months ahead. Be sure to follow us on social media and to check out website at www.waterburychamber.com, where you can register for any of these events. For help, reach out to the Chamber at 203-757-0701.
This column originally ran in the Republican-American on Monday, April 11, 2022.
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A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be!
56 Eagle Street
*Joined 3/9/22 to 4/12/22
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- Monday, April 18 at 1 p.m. - CPR Academy Training of CT - 21 West Main Street - Waterbury
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Thursday, April 21 at 3 p.m. - Green Wealth Management Group - 555 Heritage Road, Suite 2W - Southbury
Please join us and your fellow members for any of these upcoming events!
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Free Subscriptions to the Hartford Business Journal and New Haven Biz |
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As part of your Waterbury Regional Chamber Membership, you can receive free subscriptions to the Hartford Business Journal and New Haven Biz publications. Click the links below to sign up today! |
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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April 28 Job Fair: Space is Filling up Fast |
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The Waterbury Regional Chamber and American Job Center will host a job fair on Thursday, April 28 in downtown Waterbury that will feature more than 60 area companies.
The event will be held Thursday, April 28 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown, 63 Grand St. Admission is free and open to the public.
Businesses and organizations that will be participating include: Ability Beyond, Allure Elite Cleaning Services LLC, Ametek/Solutions With Innovations, BRS Department of Disability Services, Center for Human Development, Chilis, Connecticut Air National Guard, Connecticut Army National Guard, Connecticut Sealcoating LLC, Connecticut Transportation Solutions, CoWorx Staffing Services, CT Cellar Doors, DATTCO, ESS, FedEx Ground, Global Steering Systems, Hartford Healthcare Independence at Home, Holo-Krome-a Manufacturing Division of Fastenal, ITW StampTech Fasteners, Jaci Carroll Staffing, King Industries Inc, Manufacturing Alliance Service Corp (MASC)
Mental Health Connecticut, Inc., NCE Homecare, New England Carpenters, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, O&G Industries, Inc., Oak Ridge Waste and Recycling, Precision Dip Coating, Ridgefield Crossings, River Glen Health Care Center, Rourke Insurance Agency, Seidel Inc., Silgan Disepnsing Systems, Smiths Medical, System X, TGI Fridays, The Arc of Southington, The Hispanic Coalition, The Siemon Company, The Watermark at East Hill, The WorkPlace (Platform to Employment), Torrco, Tri State Equipment, Unimetal Surface Finishing, Unipharm, Inc., Waterbury Public Schools, and WATR Radio, 1320 AM, 97.7 FM. Additional companies will be announced in the coming days.
For more information, contact Waterbury Regional Chamber Joseph Violette, Director of Public Policy and Economic Development at jviolette@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701.
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Hiring & 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 Investments 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 states 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.
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