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Before we begin, I would like to provide a brief wrap-up of our Annual High School Career Fair Expo, hosted by our Business and Education Partnership this past Thursday. During this annual event, business professionals from a variety of fields shared their valuable career experiences and perspectives with Middlesex County High School Students. A huge shout out to our Business & Education Partnership Program, led by chairs Todd Corey & Rosario Rizzo, staff liaison Jennifer de Kine, and all of our presenters for continuing to present this annual career exploration event in support of local students.
Tomorrow morning, all are invited to join us for a Legislative Leadership Series Breakfast featuring Speaker of the House Matt Ritter on Wednesday, April 30 from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. at the Inn at Middletown. At this special meeting, Speaker Ritter will visit with chamber members to discuss the 2025 Regular Session of the Connecticut General Assembly. A special thank you to Updike, Kelly & Spellacy for their continued support of our Legislative Leadership Series, and so many chamber programs. Click here to join us.
On Thursday, we look forward to celebrating 12 chamber members during our 2025 Small Business Awards Ceremony at St. Clements Castle, Portland. This celebration will once again spotlight the innovation, hard work, and successes that drive our region. Our 2025 Small Business Champions are as follows:
- Business of the Year (1-30 employees) – The Wheatmarket, Chester
- Business of the Year (31+ employees) – Connecticut Water Company, Middlesex County
- Business Growth & Expansion Award – Coughlin Service Corp. & Woodworking, East Hampton
- Manufacturer of the Year – Carey Manufacturing, Cromwell
- Entrepreneur of the Year – CPC Global LLC, Middletown
- Minority Owned Business of the Year – Bloom Agency LLC, Middletown
- Non-Profit Business of the Year – Durham Agricultural Fair Association, Durham
- Outstanding New Business under 5 years – Avella's & Melilli's Italian Specialty Market, Middletown
- Retail Business of the Year – Savvy Swap Consignment, Portland
- Tourism/Hospitality Business of the Year – Travelers Championship, Cromwell
- Veteran Owned Business of the Year – Brown & Wimler Construction LLC, Middletown
- Woman Owned Business of the Year – 640 Health Therapies, Westbrook
To join us as we celebrate this year’s recipients, please click here.
There is still time to register for our Real Estate Council’s Annual Comedy Night & Auction, scheduled for this Saturday, May 3. This event, sponsored by ServPro of Middletown/ New Britain and Caleb Carney State Farm, will take place from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. at the Middletown Elks Crystal Ballroom, and will feature comedian Billy Winn and guests as well as incredible silent and live auction items! All proceeds benefit the Middlesex Chamber Recovery Employment Program (REP) – a life-changing initiative helping individuals in recovery rebuild their lives through job coaching, placement, and life skills training. To join us for an evening of laughs and giving back, please click here.
As you know, the Middlesex Chamber building will be going through a full renovation beginning this fall and we will temporarily be moving to High St, Middletown. Unfortunately, this new location does not have a “large meeting room”, and we need your support. If your building can host a large group of individuals for meetings, either all in-person, or through hybrid means (zoom), and you would like to welcome us, please email lindsay@middlesexchamber.com letting us know max attendees, hybrid capabilities (if applicable), and anything else you would like to share. Thanks for your support!
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