Welcome to Our Newest Members | |
A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be! | |
Upcoming Chamber Member Ribbon Cutting Events | |
- Friday, March 7 @ noon - CT Pest Solutions - 8 Curtis Street, Naugatuck
- Thursday, March 20 @ noon - Toddler Town Learning Center - 835 Wolcott Street, Suite 7A, Waterbury
- Friday, March 21 @ 3 p.m. - ProSource Pest Solutions - 3356 East Main Street, Waterbury
- Thursday, April 17 @ 3:30 p.m. - Together We Can Learning Center - 2457 East Main Street, Building 1, Unit 112 - Waterbury
- Thursday, May 1 @ 3 p.m. - Our House, LLC - 77 North Main Street, Unit 11, Southbury
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Thursday, May 1 @ TBD - Ms. Baskets Gourmet/La cocina de Sonia - 709 East Main Street, Waterbury
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Ensuring Your Business’s Voice is Heard in Hartford
Many Connecticut businesses miss the opportunity to influence state policy by not engaging with legislators. The Chamber’s government affairs team encourages members to take action by:
- Identifying Relevant Bills: Find proposed legislation at cga.ct.gov using the "Quick Bill Search."
- Finding Your Legislator: Locate your representatives by address here.
- Contacting Legislators: Reach out via phone or email through caucus websites: House | Senate.
- Submitting Testimony: Voice support or opposition by providing written or verbal testimony during public hearings. For detailed instructions on how to submit testimony, visit our Legislative Advocacy page here.
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Chamber Member Perk: Post University Tuition Reduction for Chamber Employees & Families | |
Members of the Waterbury Regional Chamber and its employees, including families living in the household, will be able to receive a tuition reduction as a result of a new partnership established with Post University. This partnership also extends to the three affiliate Chambers in Naugatuck, Southbury, and Watertown Oakville. | |
Through the partnership, the employees of businesses who belong to the Chamber, their spouses and their family living in the household are eligible for a 20 percent tuition reduction but they must complete the application process. The tuition reduction is for online undergraduate and graduate programs, including high school family members looking to complete college coursework for general education requirements as well as nurses looking for advanced degrees. | |
March 19: Malcolm Baldrige Awards Dinner & Silent Auction | |
From Our Newsletter Sponsor: Post University | |
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25 Years of Online Learning Excellence
Post University is celebrating its 25th anniversary of providing flexible and personalized online learning experiences to students across the nation and around the world. Since launching its first fully online degree and certificate programs in 2000, Post has remained at the forefront of digital education, empowering students to achieve their academic goals on their own terms.
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to Post’s unwavering commitment to innovation, accessibility, and student success,” said Post University Chief Executive Officer & President John L. Hopkins. “From our early days providing online education to anticipating the evolution of higher education and the growing need for online learning solutions, we have consistently adapted to meet the needs of today’s learners. As a global leader, we remain dedicated to providing high-quality education that empowers students to achieve their goals.”
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Since its founding in 1890, Post has been dedicated to fostering academic excellence. In 2000, the University embraced the future of education by launching fully online programs – expanding access to higher education learning. This shift made higher education more inclusive and accessible, empowering students to balance their careers, families and personal commitments successfully.
Over the past 25 years, Post University has strengthened its leadership in online education through continuous innovation and expansion. It launched fully online undergraduate and graduate programs, established dedicated student support, and introduced virtual commencement ceremonies and electronic course materials. Post expanded its offerings with specialized programs like the RN-to-BSN and Bachelor of Equine Studies, acquired American Sentinel University to enhance healthcare education, and forged partnerships to boost career development. Discover more about Post’s 25th anniversary here.
Currently, Post serves students in all 50 U.S. states and 21 countries providing career-focused learning opportunities – both on online and on its main campus – in business, healthcare, nursing, public service, education and more. The university’s recent affiliation with Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) further enhances its ability to support an even broader international community.
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HR Corner: Preparing for I-9 Audits | |
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Under the Trump administration, employers can expect a significant increase in the enforcement of immigration compliance, particularly Form I-9 audits. Even if you meticulously confirm the work authorization of your employees, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can show up at your door as part of an ICE raid or to inspect your Form I-9 records in connection with a lead or complaint, or other factors. In this Part Two of a two-part client alert series (read Part One about preparing for ICE worksite raids here), Carmody’s Immigration team will help prepare you so that you are ready in this era of increased enforcement.
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Tips for employers to prepare for an I-9 audit:
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Know the Law. For every employee hired after November 6, 1986, you must complete a Form I-9 that establishes they have the right to work in the United States.
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Conduct an Internal Audit. Check your Form I-9 records to ensure that each I-9 is properly completed, signed, and dated; does not contain discrepancies; and is not missing information. Consider consulting experienced immigration counsel to conduct an internal I-9 audit, especially if you are in a high-risk or highly regulated industry. Having an attorney conduct an external audit can preserve attorney-client privilege for audit results and corrective measures.
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Consider E-Verify. E-Verify is a voluntary (with limited exceptions) federal program that allows employers to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S. (www.e-verify.gov). It is mandatory for certain federal contractors and employers in certain states, and its use may be expanded nationwide under the Trump administration. Employers should assess the risks and benefits of enrolling in E-Verify, even if not currently required to do so. E-Verify may help streamline compliance and mitigate risks of penalties.
- Review Your I-9 Policy and Process.
- Check that you are using the correct version of Form I-9—currently, the August 1, 2023, edition.
- Conduct I-9 training for all representatives assisting with the process, focusing on how to accurately complete and retain I-9 forms, take corrective action when necessary and lawful, and avoid discrimination based on citizenship or national origin.
- Establish consistent, non-discriminatory document review practices to ensure that no employee is asked to produce specific documents based on their perceived nationality or citizenship status.
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Understand Common I-9 Issues. Common errors include missing signatures, incomplete information, late completion or expired Section 2 documents, and can result in significant penalties if detected by ICE during an audit. Employers who fail to comply with the regulations risk fines, other civil penalties, and possible criminal liability. ICE looks for both technical paperwork violations and more serious instances of document fraud or the known hiring of unauthorized workers.
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Have a Plan. Prepare for potential audits by reviewing and updating internal processes for responding to ICE. Designate a specific company representative to manage any investigations or inquiries to ensure a streamlined response and appropriate advocacy to ICE. Be prepared to provide documentation quickly and efficiently to minimize disruptions to the business. Employers typically only have three business days to turn over the Forms I-9.
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Third-Party Vendors. If you use temporary or contract workers, consider confirming that your third-party vendors have robust immigration compliance procedures. ICE audits targeting vendors can result in work continuity issues and potential liability for I-9 penalties.
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Call Your Lawyer. In the event of an I-9 audit, the receptionist can tell ICE that the employer’s policy is to call the employer’s lawyer, who may be able to come to the worksite or speak to the ICE officers over the phone. Prior to being subject to an audit, we encourage you to reach out to our Immigration team to assist in reviewing your I-9 compliance as a whole to work on process improvements and a potential audit to correct any curable defects.
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For more information about preparing or responding to an I-9 audit or other immigration enforcement action or investigation at your workplace, please contact:
Lauren M. Hopwood
Partner
203.784.3104
lhopwood@carmodylaw.com
Johanna M. Bachmair
Associate
203.784.3183
jbachmair@carmodylaw.com
| 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. | |
The 20th edition of the Naugatuck Chamber's Duck Race & Festival returns on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Do you know a non-profit organization who would benefit from selling tickets to raise money for their cause? For volunteer opportunities, vending applications, sponsorship opportunities, and more, head www.duckday.com | |
Watertown Oakville Chamber News | |
Hiring & Training Programs Available | |
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Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) is offering Rapid-Response Layoff Aversion Micro-Grants to help businesses in Northwest Connecticut prevent layoffs and strengthen their workforce.
Eligible businesses may receive up to $10,000 to support:
✅ Worker training & upskilling
✅ Strategies to minimize layoffs
✅ Business stabilization efforts
✅ And more!
Priority is given to small businesses, including women-, veteran-, and minority-owned enterprises, as well as those supporting re-entry populations and disability-friendly workplaces.
Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis!
Funding must be disbursed and expended by 12/31/25
🔗 Apply Now to secure funding for your business!
For questions, contact Helen Brickfield at helen.brickfield@nrwib.org
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Creating Pathways to Success: Collaborating with Industry Partners for Student Internships and Mentorship
Help prepare high school students for their futures while also gaining a fresh perspective from the next generation of talent. We believe that the opportunities provided through internships, hands-on experiences, and mentorships will benefit both students and your organization.
What We’re Looking for:
- Internship Opportunities: We are seeking industry partners to offer internships that allow students to engage in meaningful tasks, develop industry-specific skills, and work alongside professionals in their field.
- Mentorship: We encourage mentors from your organization to guide students, offering insight into career paths, industry expectations, and soft skills development.
- Hands-on Experience: Real-world exposure in your workplace will help students make informed decisions about their future career paths, while also giving them a competitive edge in their future job searches.
Why Partner with Us?
- Develop the Future Workforce: Your mentorship and guidance will directly impact students, helping them develop the skills, knowledge, and work ethic necessary for success in the workforce or further education.
- Access to Eager, Motivated Students: High school students are enthusiastic about learning and eager to apply their skills in real-world settings. Internships provide them with hands-on opportunities that are instrumental in their growth and career exploration.
- Promote Your Organization: By offering internship programs, your organization will enhance its reputation as a leader in community development and workforce training.
- Support Workforce Diversity: Provide students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore careers they might not have considered otherwise, helping to build a more inclusive and talented future workforce
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