A Message from our Chairman

Dear Chamber Member,

 

One of the Chamber's biggest events of the year, the Lewis A. Dibble, Sr. Award Dinner and 102nd Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Aria in Prospect. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations; this year's award recipient will be announced shortly! If you are a local business, please consider sponsoring this event so you don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support for the local business community and honoree. Details to come.


It's not too early to start thinking about Duck Day, which will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in downtown Naugatuck. We are excited to be rolling out a redesigned website for the event, along with some other new features that will make it easier for individuals to purchase tickets.


The Chamber's next Out for Business will take place next week on Wednesday, November 15 at The Shoppes in Middlebury. We encourage you to come between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and browse The Shoppes, along with Take 5 Audio, and Middlebury Design and Furniture. There will be special perks for attendees: 10% off purchases, free gift wrapping, high end A/V demonstrations, and more. Don't forget the food: always wonderfully prepared by the crew at vyne restaurant and bar. You can register here.


Small Business Saturday is coming up on Saturday, November 25. Don't forget to get out there and support our local businesses when considering where to shop this holiday season.

Thank you for your continued membership,
Kevin H. McSherry
McSherry Law Office
Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board
In This Issue
  • Chairman's Note
  • Member Profile Story
  • Renewing Members
  • Upcoming Events
  • Submit Your Content
  • Upcoming Events
  • Hiring & Training Programs Available
  • HR Corner Corner by Carmody, Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP

Chamber Member Benefit: Naugatuck YMCA

More Information

Upcoming Chamber Events

  • Out for Business: Wednesday, November 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m at The Shoppes in Middlebury. Register here.
  • Social Media Roundtable: Creating Content that Connects: Thursday, November 16, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Register here.
  • STEM/Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Expo: Friday, November 17, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Naugatuck Valley Community College. More information.
  • Southbury Wake Up Your Business: Friday November 17, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Calvary Southbury. Register here.
  • Young Professionals Happy Hour: Thursday, November 30, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Clocktown Brewing Company. Register here.
  • Festival of Wreaths presented by the Southbury Chamber: Wednesday, December 6, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Heritage Hotel, Golf, Spa, & Conference Center. More Information.
  • Waterbury Wake Up Your Business: Friday, December 8, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Raymour & Flanigan Furniture. Register here.
  • Chamber Holiday Gathering: Thursday, December 14, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at La Bella Vista in Waterbury. Register here.

Recent Ribbon Cutting: 3-21 No Kiddin Sober Playground

172 Church Street - Naugatuck, CT

Thank You to Our Members Who Renewed in October

All Roads Car Wash

ENVIPCO

HUB International of New England, LLC

My Eye Dr.

Skyeye Technologies

Save the Date: January 25, 2024 - Dibble Awards

Chamber Information Update: Response Requested
From time to time, the Chamber is made aware of opportunities for women-owned, veteran-owned, and diverse business enterprises, and we want to be sure we are getting that information to the relevant members.
 
To help us ensure we are reaching you with the best possible information, we are asking interested members to fill out the demographics form at the following link: https://web.waterburychamber.com/atlas/forms/general/4
 
Sharing this data is completely voluntary on your part and will be used for informational purposes only. If you so choose, there is a section on this form that will allow us to share your self-identified categories on our website. This will add your listing to a new page designed to encourage members and visitors to support your business.
 
Thank you for being a valued member of the Naugatuck Chamber and our affiliates. We appreciate those members who have already provided a response.
Submit Your News and Social Media Content
Do you have upcoming events, company news, specials, or other-related information you'd like the Chamber to promote in our next Chamber Member newsletter or on one of our many social media platforms? You can submit your content by emailing Communications Director David Huck. Leverage the Chamber and allow us to spread your message to thousands of individuals.

Thursday, November 16: Creating Content that Connects

Speaker: Courtney Ligi, Owner and Founder, The Social Circle

Discover your business’s social media brand and learn the steps to take to reach your target audience. This session will cover a variety of content and post ideas for any product or service based business, plus learn the best strategies to reach potential customers. This training will bring your social media efforts to the next level so be sure to bring your ideas to the table as we work together to create content that drives results. 

About the speaker

Courtney offers personalized social media strategies to her clients and works with them to help their business build brand awareness, increase engagement, and create a line of communication with consumers through various social media platforms. Her expertise in the industry has helped her clients gain statewide recognition and reach consumers that have not been targeted before. With a commitment to delivering exceptional results, Courtney's business has quickly become a go-to for businesses seeking to expand their online presence. 

Register Now
Hiring & Training Programs Available
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board: Connecticut Workforce High tech Industries Partnership Grant (CTWHISP)/Incumbent Worker Training Program 

Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) is a type of work-based, employer-driven training for employees who need training to upgrade their skills to
  • secure full-time employment,
  • advance in their careers, or
  • retain their current employment in H-1B occupations and industries.

IWT is developed in collaboration with the employer. It requires long term planning and commitment on the part of the employer's CEO, CFO, HR, supervisors and employees.

The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (NRWIB) reimburses contracted training costs up to $2,000 per employee for IT training, and up to $3,000 per employee for manufacturing training. To get the proposal and contract process started please contact Jeffrey Chorches - chorches@careerresources.org.

The workforce board contracts with the employer to arrange the training. The employer chooses the job training course, the training provider, training schedule, and the employees who will participate. Employers are encouraged to backfill open positions that result from incumbent worker training with unemployed and underemployed individuals. One of the goals of U. S. Dept. of Labor Hl-b grants is to make U.S. employers less dependent upon non-citizens.
More Information

HR Corner: IRS Announces Increases to Retirement Plan Limits for 2024

This HR Corner is brought to you by Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP. Written by Attorney Mark F. Williams & Attorney Nick Zaino

On November 1, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the new contribution and benefit limits to qualified retirement plans. The increased limits will allow employees to save more money for retirement. Starting in 2024, the following limits apply: 


  • Employees can contribute up to $23,000 into their 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans. This constitutes an increase of $500 from the 2023 limits. This is a modest increase in the annual limit as compared to the $2,000 increase that occurred in 2023.


  • The catch-up contribution limit for employees ages 50 and older who participate in 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans, will remain at $7,500, which is the same amount as in 2023. Thus, employees who are age 50 and older and participate in such defined contribution plans can contribute up to $30,500 ($23,000 plus $7,500).


  • The combined limit on employer and employee contributions to defined contribution plans will increase from $66,000 to $69,000.


  • The maximum annual benefit that a participant may receive under a defined benefit plan will be $275,000, up from $265,000.


  • The maximum amount of annual compensation that may be taken into account on behalf of any participant under a qualified plan will increase from $330,000 to $345,000.


  • The dollar threshold to identify “highly compensated employees” will increase from $150,000 to $155,000 (i.e., if compensation in 2024 is $155,000, that amount will determine highly compensated for determinations made in 2025).


  • The limit on annual contributions to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) will increase to $7,000, up from $6,500. The catch‑up contributions for individuals aged 50 and over will hold at $1,000 for 2024, allowing individuals aged 50 and above to contribute up to $8,000 to an IRA.



  • The Social Security taxable wage base will increase from $160,200 to $168,600.

 

Plan sponsors should ensure that participant communications reflect the increased limits. Additional information regarding benefit plan dollar limits can be obtained in IRS Notice 2023-75.


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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