Economic Development Newsletter
JULY 2026
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ManufactureCT's Special Interest Group
HR: Attracting and Retaining
Tuesday, July 21st | 12:30-1:15pm | Lunch & Learn
Virtual | Free | Registration Required
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The Special Interest Group peer exchange webinar will focus on how manufacturers are managing their workforce.
Featuring the following panelists:
This online webinar is free and open to all, but registration is required. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kate Houlihan: 860-983-6858 or houlihan@manufacturect.org
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CT Small Business Development Center
Business Growth Accelerator Program
Summer 2026 Cohort
Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 28th- August 20th, 2026
11:30am-1:30pm | Free | Registration Required
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As a small business owner, every day feels like a challenge. You’re working longer hours, managing cash flow, chasing new customers… but no matter how hard you push forward, you feel stuck.
That’s where the Business Growth Accelerator Program (BGAP) comes in!
BGAP is designed to give business owners the expert guidance and practical solutions they need to achieve strategic and sustainable growth.
Your instructor, Curtis Battles, brings extensive experience in business strategy, finance, and operations to the CTSBDC team. His career spans various industries, including real estate, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurship, supporting organizations from Fortune 50 companies to startups. He will connect growth-focused businesses with technical aid and knowledge to help them scale and thrive.
During this 8-session interactive course you will receive valuable information from subject experts, take part in practical exercises and networking sessions. At the conclusion of BGAP, you will have a plan to overcome your core growth challenges and walk away with a Capstone Project—your personalized, ready-to-implement roadmap for scaling your business.
After completing the course you will be able to:
- Identify your ideal customers.
- Track your financial performance.
- Secure the capital you need to expand.
- Make key operational decisions for scaling.
- Leverage technology to enhance your business.
This program is for you if you are:
- A Connecticut-based firm in business for over 12 months
- You are ready to attend and participate in each session; the program is not recorded
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Offset the Cost of Your Next Additive Manufacturing Investment
Up to $20,000 in Matching Funds for
Additive Manufacturing Investments through CCAT
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Investing in additive manufacturing can help manufacturers reduce lead times, improve production flexibility, lower costs, and bring critical capabilities in-house.
The Additive Voucher Program (AVP) administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) with funding provided through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's Manufacturing Innovation Fund is designed to help Connecticut manufacturers take the next step.
Eligible organizations may receive matching grant funding of up to $20,000 to support qualifying additive manufacturing investments.
Is your organization eligible?
The program may be a good fit if your organization:
- Is a Connecticut manufacturer or allied service provider
- Has between 3 and 300 full-time employees in Connecticut
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Is planning a qualifying additive manufacturing investment of at least $5,000
Don't wait until after you've placed an order. To be considered for funding, applications must be submitted before placing an order, issuing a purchase order, or making a deposit. If you're evaluating an investment, it's best to begin the process early.
Every application starts with a consultation with a CCAT engineer to discuss your project and determine whether it meets program requirements.
Interested in learning more?
Visit our Additive Voucher Program page to review eligibility requirements and request a consultation.
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Prepare for CT Labor Law Changes
Thursday, August 6th, 2026 | 1-2pm | Live Webinar
Free | Registration Required
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Sweeping labor law changes were passed in the recent legislative session that small business owners need to become compliant with by this fall. Among other requirements these mandates include:
- How job descriptions are written, covering disclosures of salary ranges and benefits.
- Rules on repayment of training costs or signing bonuses.
- Notification requirements to staff.
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Extended flexible accommodations for nursing mothers.
Hear an explanation from a staff attorney with the CT Department of Labor, plus learn what some businesses misunderstand when it comes to exempt and nonexempt classifications, and notice and certification requirements under the CT Family and Medical Leave Act.
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eCommerce 101: How Your Existing Business Can Sell Online
Thursday, September 10th, 2026 | 1-2pm | Live Webinar
Free | Registration Required
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These days, if you operate a brick-and-mortar store or a business that delivers services in-home, your customers probably expect that you can close transactions and take payments on your website. Whether you've never sold online before or you've dabbled and hit a wall, this beginner-friendly session walks you through the essentials from the ground up.
So, what's the best approach to keep your inventory organized, manage delivery charges, collect sales tax and other challenging processes? Should you operate from a special purpose e-commerce platform like Shopify, BigCommerce or Square Online? Should you instead run a plug-in on your own website like WooCommerce or Ecwid? Or is the best solution to sell in marketplaces like Amazon or Walmart.com
And with AI shopping already reshaping how customers discover products — through ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google's AI Mode — how do you make sure your business shows up? Cut through the confusion so you can confidently do business in the 21st century.
| | Learn About Seniors Job Bank | | July Grant List is Live!
Small Business Grants, Growth Funds and Pitch Competitions
Check out What you Qualify for Before they Close! | | |
The Realist Lab is where aspirations turn into impactful realities. They empower entrepreneurs by building a community rich in expertise and resources, giving them the tools to create enduring, sustainable businesses. Realist Lab is dedicated to fostering vibrant communities, driving meaningful change, and creating opportunities for historically marginalized groups.
Browse every active grant they track for underrepresented and early-stage founders.
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Driving Web Traffic that Matters
Using Search, Ads & Analytics to Market Your Work
Friday August 14th, 2026 |12:15-2:15pm
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Francesca Olsen, discusses what is happening behind the scenes of your website and provides strategies for how to make it work for you.
This workshop is best suited for artists of all disciplines who have already spent some time exploring web-based marketing tools and have a stand-alone website or sell their work on a web-based platform.
| | Grant Opened to Any Registered CT Business!
The New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3) | | | | |
Fat Duck Tavern is now opened at 65 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square in the former Vinted location.
Congratulations to Anton and Tatiana Berseneva for opening their second location in West Hartford! (Other location in Madison)
They are offering the same menu as their original location, featuring burgers, tacos, brisket, chicken and waffles, salmon and of course dishes with duck confit!
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Overgrown Shrubs Contribute to
Motor Vehicle Crashes
ATTENTION BUSINESS PROPERTY OWNERS
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Keep West Hartford roads safe by trimming your shrubbery today!
Each year, motor vehicle accidents are attributed to overgrown shrubbery on street corners and intersections. For the safety of all, it is important that hedges, bushes, trees, other growth, and any fences do not obstruct drivers' clear view, and that pedestrians have full access to sidewalks and can see vehicles.
As part of West Hartford’s Vision Zero efforts to improve the safety of our streets, take the test to determine if you need to trim back your shrubbery:
Drive up to the white line before the stop sign and look to ensure you can see oncoming traffic and pedestrians without rolling forward. If you must roll forward, it's time to get out your hedge clippers.
Enforcement of these ordinances is not intended to burden property owners but to raise awareness of the responsibilities of maintaining their property so that West Hartford can be a safe and enjoyable community.
West Hartford Zoning Office enforces this ordinance (West Hartford Code: Chapter 177-24). They can be reached at 860-561-7555.
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