Can't see all of the images? Click here to View as Webpage

Economic Development Newsletter

DECEMBER 2025

Culinary Job Fair

January 15, 2026 |10am-12pm | Hartford

The American Job Center invites you to attend an upcoming Culinary Job Fair featuring graduates of our Food Service Program, along with members of the public seeking employment in the food service industry.

📅 Date: January 15, 2026

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Location: 60 Weston Street, Hartford

This free event provides employers with the opportunity to connect directly with job-ready culinary candidates and conduct on-the-spot interviews.

Candidates have been trained in:

ServSafe Food Safety Certification
Kitchen safety and sanitation
Knife skills and food preparation
Menu costing and basic financial literacy
Customer service and workplace professionalism
Hands-on experience in a commercial kitchen

Employer registration is required.

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

Nichole Milton

📧 nmilton@capitalworkforce.org

We look forward to partnering with you to connect skilled talent with local employment opportunities.

Best regards,

Nichole Milton

Business Services Representative Lead

Capital Workforce Partners

Hartford, CT 06103

Office: 860-899-3494| Fax: 860-722-2486

Home - Capital Workforce Partners

EMAIL NICHOLE

Shift from Firefighting to Firepower

Ambrose Growth Business Coaching
Xavier Lederer, Founder

Thursday, January 8th, 2026 1-2pm

Live Webinar | Free | Registration required

Do you sometimes feel stuck, working too many hours for too little result? You are not alone. Many small business owners face the same challenge: Constant firefighting leaves little time to build the future.

Improve your business firepower instead:

Learn how to clarify your long-term goals to speed up daily strategic decisions and sharpen your focus.
Find out how to spot resource-wasting distractions disguised as tempting priorities.
Discover how to build an accountability system that truly drives results, not just one that looks good on paper but fails in execution.

Do you Offer a Compliant Savings Plan?

MyCTSavings
Lisa Kidder, Strategic Communications Manager

Thursday, February 12th, 2026 1-2pm

Live Webinar | Free | Registration required

Connecticut businesses with five or more employees that do not offer a qualified retirement savings plan are now out of legal compliance and enforcement actions will begin in the months ahead. While you may provide a private retirement plan to comply with the law, a simpler option may be MyCTSavings, offered through the Office of the State Comptroller. And there is no cost to employers to sign up.

Learn the advantages of MyCTSavings and if it is right for your business:

Getting started is fast, easy, and secure.
Works seamlessly with any payroll process.
Stay competitive by offering a great benefit to your employees.
Requires very little time and administration.
Meets the requirements of the law.

Inside Play it Again Sports - Ski Department

Play It Again Sports moved to 635 New Park Avenue last month.

Just in time for ski season! Lease or purchase skis. Rent for 60% of purchase price now through Spring! In-house technicians available for binding adjustments.

Congratulations to Rachel and her team! Enjoy your new bright and spacious store!

Gem Jewelry is under new ownership!
Camile Hannoush, Michaels Jewelers President, purchased GEM Jewelry last month at 1129 New Britain Avenue.

Check out their beautiful selections - there is sure to be something for everyone - especially for you last minute shoppers!

Congratulations to Camile and his team! May you have a sparkling holiday season :)

BEST Chance Program

Providing Industry-Recognized Credentials for Employment Placement

The BEST (Basic Education Skills Training) Chance program provides job training, career counseling, and retention services to persons with criminal backgrounds and or general justice involvement, in order to reduce recidivism and increase employment and earnings.

They strive to do this by offering FREE occupational training in the fields of Masonry, Pre-manufacturing, Construction, Carpentry and Culinary to returning citizens and justice-involved youth ages 18-24.

The program provides coaching, stipends, and supportive services to remove barriers to employment and ensure participants complete training and retain jobs. After placement, graduates transition to Free to Succeed, a two-year follow-up program that supports long-term career success.

Capital Workforce Partners (CWP), in partnership with the American Job Center, helps businesses Find, Retain, and Grow a qualified workforce. Their team of business solutions consultants and industry sector experts draw on a large and diverse talent pool and variety of training resources to help you meet today’s hiring needs and maximize your recruitment and training strategy. All of the programs and services are available at no cost.

LEARN MORE!

Community Economic Development Fund | Business Education Center | 203-235-2333 | www.CEDF.com

REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 5th

Business Incentive for Weatherization
Covering up to 100% of Installation Cost!

THERE IS STILL TIME - NOW THROUGH END OF MONTH!

Now through the end of the year, all business customers can receive an incentive covering 100% of install cost of weatherization measures including air sealing, duct sealing, insulation, and window and sliding glass door replacements, up to $20,000!

GreenDrop Trailer Location

176 Newington Road | West Hartford | Daily from 10am-5pm

VISIT

Get Matchmaker Ready!

A Primer Series for the CT Business Matchmaker

Four-Part Preparation Series | January 7th - 28th, 2026

The CT Business Matchmaker Primer Webinar Series is a four-part learning experience designed to help small business suppliers show-up prepared, confident, and contract-ready for the March 5th, 2026 Connecticut Business Matchmaker.

These primers focus on what buyers truly evaluate – capacity, clarity, readiness, and alignment. Together, they provide a practical roadmap to help suppliers strengthen their foundation, communicate their value, and maximize every matchmaking opportunity.

What You’ll Learn

Contract Readiness & Capacity

Assess and strengthen your business’ ability to perform, scale, and sustain government and corporate contracts.

Government-Friendly Marketing

Develop a clear, compelling, and procurement-ready capability statement that speaks directly to buyer needs.

Matchmaker Strategy & Preparation

Learn how to navigate the matchmaking platform, request the right meetings, and prepare for productive conversations.

Buyer Expectation & Insights

Hear directly from a buyer on what they prioritize, how they evaluate suppliers, and what helps businesses stand out.

Why You Should Attend This Series

The Connecticut Business Matchmaker centers on pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as large prime contractors. Success begins well before match day.

By attending this primer series, businesses will:

Improve procurement readiness
Present capabilities with clarity and confidence
Make informed and strategic matchmaking requests
Walk into the event prepared to engage buyers effectively

Don’t just attend the CT Business Matchmaker – arrive prepared to compete.

Each webinar builds toward a focused, productive, and impactful matchmaker experience.

Primer Webinar Schedule and Registration

Want to Win a Contract? Develop a Capacity Plan

Building the Capacity Buyers Need to See

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

12:00-1:00 PM

Presenter: Steven Semaya, Associate Director, CT SBDC

The Essential Capability Statement Workshop

Mastering the Essential Marketing Tool Buyers Expect to See

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

12:00-1:00 PM

Presenter: Andres Calvache, Procurement Specialist, CT Apex Accelerator

Making the Most of the CT Business Matchmaker

Your Roadmap to a Productive, Well-Planned, and Impactful Matchmaker Experience

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

12:00-1:00 PM

Presenter: Tanisha Baptiste-Bynum, Lead Outreach and Marketing Specialist, SBA

What are Buyers Looking For?

Insights to Help Small Businesses Prepare, Position, and Stand Out

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

12:00-1:00 PM

Presenter: Peter Kontakos, OSDBU Director, U.S. Department of Labor

There's Still Time to Register for the CT Business Matchmaker!

CT Business Matchmaker

March 5th

9 AM - 4 PM

CT Convention Center

STORAGE IN MECHANICAL ROOMS

Tax bills were mailed on December 15

The Revenue Collection Office mailed tax bills for the second installment of the Grand List of October 1, 2024, on Monday, December 15th. The bills include real estate, personal property, and supplemental motor vehicles. Payment is due on January 1, 2026, with a grace period until February 2, 2026. You may also look up and pay your account using our online tax portal.

Please note that the town’s bank, TD Bank, has changed the location where tax mail is processed. The new lockbox address is:

Town of West Hartford

PO Box 983196

Boston, MA 02298-3196