Submitted by Sierra Lopez.
(Middletown, CT.) Chairman Don DeVivo of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce announced the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce continues to connect business owners from around the county with information and resources in preparation for business recovery. Over the past week the Chamber has had virtual webinars featuring business leaders and elected officials to help guide the community in the right direction.
Last Tuesday, the Chamber hosted their fourth installment of the Chamber’s new Tuesday Tips campaign titled, “Planning Strategies for Individuals Looking Beyond the Current Crisis.” Attorneys from Pullman & Comley’s Tax and Trusts & Estates practices covered: Beneficial Income Tax Changes for Individuals in the CARES Act, why this is a good time to work on your estate plan, and Valuable Estate Planning Opportunities in the Current Financial Downturn.
Also, held last Tuesday, the MEWS+ hosted a special webinar titled, “Readying for Recovery: Resources for Middlesex County Businesses.” This session provided the MEWS+ community, made up of startups, entrepreneurs and micro businesses, with the opportunity to learn how the Chamber can be a resource for them now, and in the future. Chamber President, Larry McHugh and VP’s, Jeff Pugliese and Johanna Bond, discussed the Chamber resources, and how they plan to recover and come back stronger than ever as a County.
The Chamber then closed the week by hosting an excellent webinar conversation with Congressman John Larson who spoke about the latest on COVID-19 relief efforts, the importance of testing, and his role on the Congressional Task Force to reopen the Country. This meeting also gave the community a chance to ask important questions affecting their small business or non-profit organization.
Looking forward to next week, the Chamber will host a KeyBank Workshop Series titled, “The Ultimate Guide to Hosting an Online Webinar” presented by Donald Guzauckas, Jr. from HB Live on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. The next day, tune into the next Chamber Tuesday Tips webinar at 2:00 p.m. titled, “Positioning Your Business for Success When Connecticut Re-Opens.” This webinar will be presented by Updike, Kelley & Spellacy, P.C. and will focus on Employment Law, Government Relief, Taxes, and Navigating the intersection of SBA and CARES ACT Relief. On Wednesday, April 29, 2020 the Chamber and the CTSBDC will hold another webinar that will go over the updates to the new PPP and EIDL programs and what to do if you already applied but have not received funding. Register for these upcoming webinars by visiting middlesexchamber.com.
Once again, the Chamber would like to urge the business community to hang in there, and to lean on the Chamber for resources. Online resources such as the Coronavirus Tool Kit and the Facebook group, “SHOUT IT OUT!” can also be utilized at this difficult time. The Coronavirus Tool Kit includes a survey that allows the Chamber to help you, along with a number of resources which are updated on a regular basis as more information becomes available. The Chamber also created a social media campaign which allows Middlesex County businesses to share the creative ideas they are employing to stay operational and helpful to their fellow community members during this period. Please connect with the chamber’s “SHOUT IT OUT!” campaign, and let us know what you are up to. On the restaurant front, the Chamber website has a section dedicated to promoting Middlesex County restaurants that are open for pick up orders. This information is also available through the Chamber’s social media platforms. Please support these local restaurants if you are able to do so safely.
