Economic Development Newsletter
OCTOBER 2025
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October is National Disability Employment
Awareness Month!
Celebrate at the 13th Annual Disability Resource Fair
Friday, October 17th | 9am-12pm | Hartford
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Celebrating Manufacturing Month
In Honor of our West Hartford Manufacturers
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Marketing and Branding Seminar
Wednesday, November 5th | 12-1:30pm | Webinar
| | Are you ready to strengthen you marketing and branding skills? Join HEDCO for their upcoming webinar! | |
Upcoming Webinars
Community Economic Development Fund
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Are you Compliant with the
CT Paid Sick Leave Law?
Thursday, November 6th, 2025 1-2pm
Live Seminar | Free | Registration required
Small business owners have new obligations this year and in the coming years under Connecticut’s Paid Sick Leave law. Hear when you must comply based on your employee count and learn the important details that could impact your circumstances. You’ll find out:
- Are any employers exempt?
- Which employees are covered and are any employees exempt?
- Which employees are considered "seasonal"?
- What are the reasons paid sick leave may be taken?
- Who is a family member?
- How is sick leave accrued and how much paid sick leave may be accrued in a year?
- What are the notice requirements for both the employer and the employee?
- What documentation may the employer require?
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Turn Workplace Clashes into Collaboration
Thursday, November 13th, 2025 1-2pm
Live Webinar | Free | Registration required
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Do you think your life as business owner would be so much easier if your employees just got along and did their jobs? Conflicts at work will happen even in well-managed companies as long as you employ human beings. Improve your understanding of the primary sources of interpersonal conflict and learn essential communications techniques to more effectively manage confrontations among your team members.
You’ll discover:
- The root causes of discord in the workplace.
- The importance of building trust in the workplace.
- The “do and don’ts” of conflict resolution.
- Tips for conveying the right message as a manager.
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Say It So They Hear It
Communication That Builds Teams
Thursday, December 4th, 2025 1-2pm
Live Webinar | Free | Registration required
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Every workplace depends on communication—but not every message gets through. Leaders often believe they are being clear, yet their words may be misunderstood, ignored, or even resisted. The result? Missed opportunities, strained relationships, and teams that struggle to stay aligned.
Find out what gets in the way of effective communication and shows you how to turn everyday conversations into tools for trust, collaboration, and results. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, you’ll learn how to deliver messages that not only get heard—but acted on.
You’ll discover how to:
- Recognize different communication styles and adapt to your team’s dynamics.
- Build trust so your words carry weight and credibility.
- Listen in ways that prevent misunderstanding and strengthen connection.
- Manage the high-stakes moments when “we do our worst” — and turn them into opportunities.
- Apply proven strategies to lead conversations that inspire clarity, commitment, and action.
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Beloved Companions opened their doors and celebrated with a ribbon cutting at 1123 New Britain Avenue, making West Hartford their fourth location in their line up - (Avon, New Britain and North Haven).
They have specialized in pet companion after care services since 2012.
Congratulations to Dave Olson, Founder, CEO & Funeral Director and his team and welcome to West Hartford!
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CCAT Advanced Technology Center
Wednesday, November 12th | 9am-1:30pm | East Hartford
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See how CNC control and robotic integration are reshaping manufacturing. Join CCAT, Siemens, and ThinkPLC for live demonstrations featuring digital twin technology and SINUMERIK ONE control.
Designed to support Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM), this free workshop shows how smart automation drives productivity, precision, and workforce capability.
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ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS: Small business utility incentives for energy upgrades and 0% on-bill financing! Options for heat pumps, commercial buildings, lighting, water heaters, commercial clothes washers, natural gas and electric rebates and food service equipment!
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ATTENTION RESTAURANT OWNERS
Outdoor Dining - Town of West Hartford
April 1st to November 15th, 2025
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As a reminder, outdoor dining in West Hartford is permitted between April 1st to November 15th.
Please plan accordingly and be prepared to break down your outdoor dining patios for the season come November 15th, unless advised otherwise.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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The CT Business Matchmaker is a high-impact networking event designed to connect businesses with government buyers and prime contractors to strengthen our national/local supply chains and open opportunities of procurement for CT businesses.
One-on-one prescheduled matchmaking meetings are at the heart of the CT Business Matchmaker. Businesses will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with buyers from federal, state and local agencies as well as prime contractors.
The event will also include a dynamic networking Business Expo featuring key resource providers, lenders, prime contractors and government agencies. In addition to a full day of training sessions facilitated by SBA employees, resource partners and contracting experts.
The SBA is committed to opening the doors of procurement so more businesses can grow and thrive by doing business with the federal government - the world's largest customer who buys all types of products and services.
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SBA is now accepting nominations for the
2026 National Small Business Week Awards!
National Small Business Week 2026 will take place May 3-9, 2026. SBA will officially recognize these small businesses for their hard work, ingenuity, dedication, and their contributions to the economy.
Submission Deadline:
- Monday, December 8, 2025 at 7:00am ET
Basic Eligibility Requirements:
- Any legal resident of the United States or its Territories who owns 51% of a business and operates a small business for a minimum of three years and have received at least one type of SBA assistance
2026 Connecticut District Office Awards:
- Small Business Person of the Year
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
- Manufacturer of the Year
- Microenterprise of the Year
- Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
- Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Regional and Connecticut District level. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.
Nomination Guidelines & Forms:
Submit Your Nomination TODAY!
Join on Zoom To Learn More:
These webinars will cover nomination categories, eligibility, and tips for writing an award-winning submission!
Tuesday, September 23
9:000am-9:30am
JOIN
Tuesday, October 21
9:00am-9:30am
JOIN
Tuesday, November 18
9:00am-9:30am
JOIN
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West Hartford Center Infrastructure
Project Updates
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Personal Property Declarations
Due November 3rd!
Upcoming Deadline and How to Complete Filing
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The annual Personal Property Declaration filing deadline is November 3, 2025.
Personal Property Declarations may be filed by completing the paper form or electronic filing. For more information on electronic filing, please contact Silvia Curran in the Assessor’s office at (860) 561-7419 or by email at pprop@westhartfordct.gov.
Should you have a challenge meeting the deadline, you may request an extension to file to avoid an assessment penalty. Such request shall be made in writing on or before the first day of November. Requests may be sent by email to
WHassessment@westhartfordct.gov.
For more information, you may contact the Assessor’s office at (860) 561-7419.
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