Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce recently issued the following announcement.
By: Larry McHugh
I want to begin this week’s column by addressing the topic that is top of mind for everyone, and that is the COVID-19 breakout that is having a major impact across the world. We are aware that this is a difficult time for the business community in Middlesex County and for our membership. I want everyone to know that the chamber is working very hard to be a trusted resource in the community as we collectively work to navigate this unique situation. We are staying in constant touch with our elected officials at the local, state and federal levels, and are pushing hard for swift action to mitigate the economic damage that is being caused by this global pandemic. We have also created a page on our website titled the “Coronavirus Tool-Kit” which we will be updating on a regular basis as more information becomes available. Included in that tool kit are tips and best practices for the employer community and the community at large. On the economic front, we will continue to share resources with our members including a link to the US Small Business Administration website which contains additional guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to the current situation. There is also information on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and other resources available through SBA.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge, with gratitude, the great job that Vin Capece and the team at Middlesex Health are doing to combat this virus in our community. We were proud to partner with Middlesex Health on a Coronavirus Workshop at the Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell last Friday. I would like to thank the panelists from Middlesex Health who did a terrific job with their remarks on Friday, Jonathan Bankoff, M.D, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Alina Filozov, D.O., Section Chief, Infectious Disease & Epidemiologist, Jodi Parisi, Infection Prevention Manager, and Jim Hite, Director, Environmental Safety & Protective Services. As I have noted many times over the years, we are so fortunate to have Middlesex Health as a key stakeholder in our region.
We are all in this together, and we will get through this. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce will do everything it can to be a resource for the business community throughout this period. Remember, the sun always shines in Middlesex County.
As the month of March moves right along in Middlesex County, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that one of my favorite days of the year, St. Patrick’s Day, is coming up this weekend. St. Patrick’s Day is a truly global celebration of Irish heritage and tradition, and I am very proud that the residents and businesses of Middlesex County have warmly embraced the holiday. Whether you plan to celebrate by wearing your favorite green tie, sweater or shirt, by enjoying a nice plate of corned beef and cabbage, or by enjoying a hearty libation or two, I hope that everyone in our region enjoys a very happy, healthy and safe St. Patrick’s Day.
Unfortunately, the Westfield Division that was scheduled for Wednesday morning has been postponed to another date. We will continue to work with the Mayor’s office and the Public Health Department to disseminate the important information that we were going to cover at the meeting.
On the workforce development front, I look forward to attending the Workforce Alliance Executive Committee Meeting on Thursday morning in New Haven. Workforce Alliance works to improve the delivery of workforce services in close collaboration with business, education and training providers, and local elected officials. They serve the public through the American Job Centers, one of which is located on South Main Street in Middletown. Later on Thursday, our Board of Directors will make its annual visit to the Griswold Inn in Essex for its March meeting. The board meeting will feature updates from committee chairs and other members, along with reports from key chamber staff who are working very hard in support of the business community in our region. I would like to thank longtime friends and members Herb Clark and Norm Needleman for hosting the meeting, and for providing the delicious lunch that will be served by the great team at "The Gris." On Thursday evening, our Golf Committee, which meets throughout the year to plan and execute the chamber’s annual sold out Golf Tournament, will meet at Luce Restaurant in downtown Middletown. This year’s chamber Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2020 at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield. I will have much more on this major chamber event as we get closer, but we certainly look forward to the sun shining on Middlefield in mid-May.
We are very mindful of some of the concerns surrounding the holding of in person meetings, and we are being very flexible with call in options and other means of connecting with our members. We will continue to keep our members informed on a daily basis on all of these issues.
On the business development front, I look forward to joining Mayor Ben Florsheim, chamber Chairman Don DeVivo, Vice Chairman Tom Byrne, and CBB Chairwoman Pam Steele at a Grand Opening celebration for Mindbrakes in Main Street Market, Middletown on Friday afternoon. The mission at Mindbrakes is to provide alternative pathways to a healthy lifestyle through education, support, products and services. We look forward to working with the entire Mindbrakes team as we move forward, and we wish them all the best in 2020 and beyond.
While there is uncertainty about the legislative schedule at this point, the chamber’s Legislative Committee will continue to stay very active and engaged in support of our members and of the Middlesex business community. The first installment of our Legislative Leadership Series was held last Monday, March 9, with Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz at the Inn at Middletown. The speaker gave us a candid assessment of the legislative session to this point, and as always, I appreciate his willingness to join us during the session. We continue to work with legislative leadership on the development of meetings or other ways to connect on these important issues in the coming months.
Let’s hang in there, together, and continue to fight for Middlesex County. Have a great week!
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