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Help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th through October 15th, 2025, and honor the vibrant cultures, rich traditions and significant contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community! You can help by:

• Supporting Hispanic-owned business by purchasing their products or services
• Partnering or collaborating with Hispanic-owned companies
• Highlighting Hispanic entrepreneurs and leaders on your social media platforms
• Making a conscious effort to patronize a Hispanic-owned business in West Hartford

The Metro Hartford Alliance

Exposing the Broken Rung: The Latina Leadership Gap

Wednesday, September 24th | 9-11am | Virtual

Speed Networking

Wednesday, September 24th | 6-8pm | 224 Farmington Avenue, Hartford

Connect with entrepreneurs, creatives, and business leaders, exchange ideas, and spark new collaborations in a supportive, growth-driven environment.

CCAT's SMARTE Series: Autonomous Mobile Robots in Manufacturing

Wednesday, September 24th| 1-3pm | East Hartford

Explore how Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are transforming manufacturing operations at this in-person CT SMARTE technology workshop, led by Peer Robotics and CCAT. Discover how AMRs can boost productivity, efficiency, and flexibility on your shop floor.

Growing Your (Existing) Business

Thursday, September 25th, 2025 from 9-10am

Live Seminar | Free | Registration required

If you have been in operation two or more years, you may be itching to grow. Is there any fuel in the gas tank? How will you raise more capital, and can you show lenders or investors that you are a solid bet? 

We’ll review the steps on the staircase that you’ll need to climb and give you a checklist for what has to be in place. Plus, you'll come away with access to a free online course offering from Santa Clara University’s My Own Business Institute.

Understanding the Mechanics of a Loan

Thursday, September 25th, 2025 1-2pm

Live Webinar | Free | Registration required

Before making a loan request business owners would do well to prepare by understanding how applications are evaluated, and risk is analyzed. Those fundamentals include what lenders call the 5C's of credit. It’s the same scale of risk assessment that a bank’s underwriters use and very similar to how an equity investor would weigh a business opportunity.

Learn the yardsticks that size up you and your company so you’ll know in advance where your business plan and presentation may need reinforcement. And find out about nonprofit, educational and government organizations that provide free business assistance to help you succeed.

Have You Made Culture-Killing Management Mistakes?

Thursday, October 16, 2025, 1-2pm

Live Webinar | Free | Registration required

Starting a small business can be an exhilarating yet challenging journey for first-time owners. When establishing their organizational culture, many new entrepreneurs face common pitfalls that can impede their success.

Examine the most frequently occurring mistakes that business owners make and how they can wreck your plans and turn your business dreams into a “people-problem hell.” Instead, discover the importance of creating culture and fostering team relationships through shared values.


• Learn the significance of team culture.
• Recognize the consequences of failure to intentionally create work culture.
• Shift your mindset from employee to small business owner.
• Find out how to avoid the 10 common mistakes small business owners make.

Analog & Aroma offers specialty coffees, local craft beers, expertly sourced wines, and elevated small plates designed for relaxed connection. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from 5:00pm-8:30pm, Analog & Aroma at J. Rene Coffee Roasters at 320 Park Road.

The Eight Gates opened their doors at 266a Park Road. Owner Tam Nguyen, board-certified in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, guides people to take an active role in their health. He specializes in support for the gut and brain for those tired of conventional approaches or who have exhausted their options.

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!

Calling All Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics Businesses

Capital Workforce Partners is happy to announce the 3rd Annual TDL Expo and Career Fair scheduled for October 1^st from 9 am to 2 pm at the New Britain Stadium. This event aims to connect industry employers from all over the state with job seekers to hire and inform the general public about what this vital sector offers. Participation in the fair is open to all companies under TDL (Trucking, Rail, Student Transportation, Warehousing, Aviation, Maritime, and more).

Tables are being offered at No Cost for TDL businesses, training providers, and community resources.

Link to Registration for Employers and Job Seekers: CT Transportation, Distribution, & Logisitics Expo & Career Fair - Capital Workforce Partners

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mohamed Chaouki, Senior Partnership Coordinator at Capital Workforce Partners with any questions!

CBIA - Made in Connecticut: 
2025 Manufacturing Summit

Thursday, October 2nd | 8:30am-2:45pm | Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville

This summit will bring together state and national experts, manufacturing leaders, and industry peers to explore trends, growth factors, and strategies for navigating today’s economic challenges. 

Highlights include the release of the 2025 Connecticut Manufacturing Report, supply chain insights from Sikorsky, awards and recognition for manufacturers, and opportunities to connect with the broader Connecticut manufacturing community.

13th Annual Disability Resource Fair

Friday, October 17th | 9am-12pm | Hartford

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.

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:

• Click here for National Guidelines and Information
• Click here for Connecticut District Local Award Categories

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

We will begin roadway reclamation on LaSalle Road from September 15th through October 10th as part of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Project. Work will start on the east side of LaSalle Road, with crews completing one side of the roadway before moving to the other. Each side is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

To maintain accessibility during construction, LaSalle Road will remain open to one-way traffic. While work is occurring on the east side, LaSalle Road will be open to southbound traffic only.

When the work shifts to the west side, LaSalle Road will be open to northbound traffic only. Additional signage, traffic control, and pedestrian barriers will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists, and all crosswalks will remain open.

Businesses will continue to be open and fully accessible. Driveway access will also be maintained with temporary gravel ramps.

The Town is offering free on-street parking on LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue while the roadway reclamation is underway. Alternative parking options can also be found using the WeHa Parking Finder.

Watch our Video!

New members sought for boards & commissions

The Town of West Hartford is seeking residents interested in serving on one of the 30+ boards and commissions. These boards and commissions provide advice and feedback to elected officials and town department leaders on matters that impact the welfare and quality of life in West Hartford.

The Town of West Hartford wants to ensure that the composition of its boards and commissions reflects the breadth of the community's diversity in terms of cultural identities, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. 

Mayor Shari Cantor said, “We are fortunate that West Hartford has so many residents willing to share their expertise and knowledge on our Boards and Commissions. They provide valuable input to elected officials, making important decisions that affect our town. Our community's engagement is why West Hartford is continuously named one of the best places to live in Connecticut and the country."

While applications are accepted anytime, the Town encourages residents to apply for current vacancies using the new, easy-to-use application form.

The following boards and commissions seek new members to fill vacancies:

Board of Assessors

Design Review Advisory Committee 

Historic District Commission

Human Rights Commission

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Pedestrian & Bicycle Commission 

Pension Board

Persons with Disabilities

Prevention Council

Senior Citizens

Sustainable West Hartford Commission

Zoning Board of Appeals

West Hartford’s Boards and Commissions webpage contains mission statements, agendas, minutes, and meeting dates. Residents are welcome to attend any of the Boards and Commissions meetings to learn more.

To participate on a Board or Commission, West Hartford residents must be registered voters. The ‘Expression of Interest’ form may be submitted electronically or by mail to: Town Clerk’s Office, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107. 

If your business has liquor license, an annual inspection by the Fire Marshal’s Office is required. While you no longer need to submit the inspection certificate when renewing your license. It does need to be kept onsite for review by the liquor commission during any inspections. To schedule your inspection please contact Deputy Fire Marshal James Paul or Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Wilcox.

Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Wilcox – Chris.Wilcox@westhartfordct.gov 860-561-8362

Deputy Fire Marshal James Paul Jr. – James.Paul@westhartfordct.gov 860-561-8308

Kristen Gorski

Economic Development Manager

Town of West Hartford

Cell: (860) 960-6136

kristen.gorski@westhartfordct.gov

Lauren Siegel

Economic Development Specialist

Town of West Hartford

Cell: (860) 969-7561

lauren.siegel@westhartfordct.gov

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