Economic Development Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2026
| |
Seeking Local Business Feedback!
West Hartford Job Fair Survey
| |
The Town of West Hartford’s Economic Development Division, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL), is dedicated to supporting your workforce development needs.
To help address hiring challenges and strengthen our local economy, we are exploring the planning of a collaborative Community Job Fair specifically for West Hartford businesses. To ensure this event provides the maximum value for your organization, we are seeking your vital feedback.
| | WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN A TOWN-SPONSORED JOB FAIR? | | |
Women's Business Development Council (WBDC)
Catalyst Symposium 2026
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 | 8:15am-1pm
Quinnipiac University, North Haven
| |
WBDC’s Catalyst Symposium is an annual celebration of innovation, empowerment, and entrepreneurial success.
Featuring WBDC’s Accelerate Pitch Competition where finalists compete to win $25,000 grants.
Fuel your day with a complimentary continental breakfast and boxed lunch, included with your registration. THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER!
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or the owner of an established business, this symposium will equip you with the knowledge, network, and motivation to take your venture to the next level.
Two West Hartford women-owned businesses are finalists...read more under Movers, Makers & Milestones below!
|
Business Advising and Classes
Women's Business Development Council
First Thursday of October and November
Sessions from 3-5pm and 5-6pm
Hartford Public Library | Free | Registration Required
|
Fall For Park
A Free Community Festival on Park Road
Seeking Local Non-Profit and For Profit Business Participation
Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 10am-4pm | Rain or Shine
| |
🍁 Introducing "FALL FOR PARK" 🍁
A free community fall festival on Park Road!
🍁 ABOUT FALL FOR PARK
Building on the tradition of the former Park Road Parade, the Park Road Association is excited to announce Fall for Park, a new community festival taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM.
| |
Designed to celebrate the businesses, residents, and unique character of the Park Road neighborhood, the event will feature family-friendly activities, special promotions, live entertainment, and an antique trolley connecting visitors to businesses along the street—all without a street closure.
This event will occur rain or shine.
| |
🍁 BUSINESSES - GET INVOLVED
The Park Road Association hopes each and every business in the Park Road Neighborhood will participate.
First, they want to "wow" the crowd! Please consider decorating your exterior for fall. Imagine if all businesses & residential neighbors made an effort to do this what an impact it would have?!
Second, help make their first annual Fall For Park the best it can be by participating. This will help not only draw people to the event, but directly to YOUR business. They are encouraging businesses to have a presence outside and inside their establishments offering sales, specials, giveaways, activities and/or entertainment.
Sign up to get involved and they will promote all that you are offering on their website, via social media and a handout the day of the event, which will include a map.
In the neighborhood but not directly on Park Road? They would be happy to discuss ways in which to have your presence somewhere along Park Road!
Click Here to learn more and/or sign up to participate.
| | |
Prepare for Employee Success by
Learning to Hire Right - Part 1
Thursday, October 8th, 2026 | 1-2pm
Live Webinar | Free | Registration Required
| | |
Hiring the successful employees begins long before you post a job opening or conduct an interview. Without a clear understanding of your workplace culture and the qualities needed for success, you may attract candidates who look good on paper but are not a good fit for your business.
Learn how to prepare for a more focused and effective hiring process—from defining what your company stands for to asking interview questions that reveal how candidates are likely to perform on the job.
You’ll discover how to:
- Define your business culture before hiring your first employee.
- Position your company to attract the best candidates.
- Craft interview questions that assess both experience and behavior.
- Interview candidates effectively, including best practices and common pitfalls.
|
Prepare for Employee Success by
Learning to Hire Right - Part 2
Thursday, November 5th, 2026 | 1-2pm
Live Webinar | Free | Registration Required
| |
PART TWO
A promising résumé and a good interview do not always lead to a successful hire. Choosing the right candidate requires knowing what to listen for, what information deserves closer examination, and how to compare applicants fairly and thoughtfully.
Learn how to evaluate candidate responses, recognize potential warning signs, and move confidently from the interview to a successful offer and onboarding experience.
You’ll discover how to:
- Understand the legal aspects of interviewing, including questions you cannot ask.
- Interpret responses, assess work history, education, and teamwork ability, and recognize red flags.
- Confidently identify your top candidates and strong alternatives.
- Make compelling offers and negotiate favorable hiring terms.
- Ensure new hires get off to a successful start.
| | |
4th Annual TDL Expo & Career Fair
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
New Britain Stadium | New Britain | 9am - 2pm
| | |
New Britain is at the center of Connecticut’s TDL industry—with direct highway access, public transit connections, and a strong manufacturing and logistics workforce. This makes it the perfect place to connect your company with motivated jobseekers eager to build careers in trucking, rail, student transportation, aviation, maritime, warehousing, logistics, distribution, and more related fields.
Last year, we welcomed over 200 jobseekers exploring TDL career pathways.
This year, we’re aiming even higher, while providing your business with a chance to:
✅ Recruit qualified candidates trained in CDL, warehousing, and logistics skills
✅ Connect with workforce partners who can support your hiring needs
✅ Showcase your company’s role in Connecticut’s TDL sector
--
Tables are being offered at No Cost for TDL businesses, training providers, and community resources.
--
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet your future workforce and build stronger connections within the region.
| |
EVENT NEWS FROM
Check out these three events...
| |
Made in Connecticut:
2026 Manufacturing Summit
Thursday, October 1st, 2026 | 8:30am-2:45pm
CT Convention Center, Hartford
| | Join CBIA for the Made in Connecticut Manufacturing Summit, exploring the trends, technologies and strategies shaping Connecticut manufacturing.
CCAT's Amy Thompson will moderate a panel on how AI is shaping manufacturing's future. | | |
Manufacturing & Technology
Career Pathways Webinar
Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 | 9am-10am | Virtual
| Connecticut high school counselors will get an industry-informed look at manufacturing careers, in-demand skills and the education and training pathways available to students. To register, contact Eileen Candels at ecandels@ccat.us | |
ACM Aerospace Alley® Tradeshow
Thursday, October 29th, 2026 | 1pm-5pm | Virtual
| | Connect with 100+ aerospace suppliers from across the region. CCAT is a show sponsor—visit their booth to meet the team and see live advanced manufacturing technology in action. | | Effie's Place Invests in
Energy Efficiency and EV Charging | |
By Bernie Pelletier
For 36 years, Effie’s Place has been a West Hartford institution. Owner Johnny Paindiris says one key to the restaurant’s longevity is staying current with changing times—and that now includes electric vehicles and energy efficiency.
Seeing more of his neighbors and customers driving EVs, Johnny contacted West Hartford Economic Development Manager, Kristen Gorski to ask about programs that could help install EV charging. Kristen connected Johnny with Christina D’Amato of Energy Resources USA, an authorized EnergizeCT contractor, who helped Effie’s pursue an EV charging project.
| | | |
Now Effie’s can offer customers and other drivers a convenient place to stop, charge their vehicles, and perhaps enjoy a meal while they wait.
The project also opened the door to another opportunity: reducing the restaurant’s energy use. An energy assessment identified improvements to the controls and fan systems serving Effie’s freezers and coolers. The restaurant qualified for the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, receiving a $2,000 incentive and 0% on-bill financing. Johnny estimates the improvements will save Effie’s more than $1,000 a year in energy costs.
Would he recommend that other West Hartford businesses explore these programs? Absolutely. “As a small business, a lot of our costs are outside of our control. When I get a chance to reduce our energy costs through conservation, I’m very interested.”
Interested in what might work for your business?
West Hartford businesses can contact Kristen Gorski at Kristen.Gorski@WestHartfordCT.gov to learn more about available programs, including:
Small Business Energy Advantage— incentives and financing for energy-efficiency improvements.
Commercial EV Charging Program— assistance and incentives that may help businesses add EV charging.
| | CT Career Pathways Commission
Seeks Survey Feedback
Improving Career Pathway Opportunities for
Students and Underemployed Adults in CT | | |
The Connecticut Career Pathways Commission is developing recommendations to make it easier for businesses like yours to work with students and young adults.They are requesting feedback from small to mid-sized employers to better understand your workforce needs and experiences connecting with students and young adults.
This survey takes about 5-10 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers — they want to know how things work for your business today. Your individual responses are confidential and will only be reported in combination with other businesses.
| | |
Alyce Carella Dance Studio re-opened - new ownership is maintaining the 63 year legacy at 1153 New Britain Avenue.
Congratulations to new owner, Priea Aryal, former student turned leader at only 16 years old! With the support of her family, Priea is committed to providing quality dance education in a safe space where everyone can grow and thrive through joy of movement.
| |
OCOsink offers expert guidance, helping clients navigate their green investments through a variety of pathways.
Congratulations to both Julie and Colleen and best of luck at the 2026 Catalyst Symposium pitch competition next week!
| | |
Emerest Home Care of CT opened its newest location in CT at 127 Park Road.
Their dedicated caregivers support you or a loved one maintain a fulfilling lifestyle with in-home expert care.
Welcome! And thank you for choosing West Hartford as your fourth CT location (Stratford, Waterbury and New Haven).
| |
Congratulations to Julie McCary, owner of Do's & Dye Salon, and Colleen Plis, owner of OCOsink. These two West Hartford women-owned businesses are among the six finalists competing for the Accelerate Grant funding.
Only three of the six finalists will be selected to receive a $25,000 grant! Awardees are determined based on their plans to grow their operations and move their businesses forward.
Do's & Dye Salon is located at 224 Whiting Lane. Since 2021, Julie prides herself on aligning goals with her clients from day one.
| | |
Personal Property Tax Declarations
Upcoming Deadline and How to Complete Filing
DUE NOVEMBER 2nd!
| | |
The annual Personal Property Declaration filing deadline is November 2, 2026.
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.
| | | | |
