Chamber Connects Businesses During COVID Crisis
Being here for businesses—large, medium, and especially small—has looked different over the past five months. Pivoting to the new model, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT continues to do what we do best: convening, connecting, collaborating, and supporting. The Chamber finds ways to keep organizations connected to essential guidance, elected officials, economic opportunities, and business to business:
• One of the Chamber’s most important functions is reaching out to businesses one-on-one. Our team has been answering questions, connecting businesses with resources, helping owners navigate the path forward, and supporting continued membership with flexible options.
• ChamberECT.com links to reliable information and valuable resources. ChamberECT.com/Reopening connects to state guidelines and members with services and products needed to operate safely: PPE, cleaning services and supplies, construction materials and services, rental equipment, signage, and HVAC.
• During the initial shortage of PPE, we acquired and distributed free masks to help local businesses. Masks are still available at ChamberECT.com/masks.
• Elected officials share updates and answer questions in virtual events: Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, Governor Lamont, DECD Commissioner David Lehman, and regional state senators. Town Hall Updates beginning with New London, Town of Groton, City of Groton, East Lyme and Waterford are available on Facebook. Visit ChamberECT. com/events.
• President and CEO Tony Sheridan sat on the state’s Reopen Connecticut Small Business Implementation Task Force. He keeps eastern CT connected to state issues as chair of CT Airport Authority and CT Metro Chambers of Commerce.
• Roundtable events with restaurants, hospitality, and real estate professionals let us hear from business owners directly and convey their views to government officials.
• Timely workshops and blogs offer insights from experts in marketing, finance, industrial sanitation, human resources, insurance and more. We create platforms where our member professionals can educate, collaborate, and connect. Business After Hours events moved online, too.
• Promoting small businesses has been a focus in our blogs and communications. We joined with a team of local business to help launch the shop local #LetsGo860 campaign.
• The Chamber with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce became the Eastern Regional Tourism District’s administrative partner. Working with the 41-town board, the Chambers are supporting tourism through its most challenging time.
• Work with the American Jobs Center and job training with the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board continues and expanded to meet needs of unemployed workers and employers’ changing business models.
• The Chamber Foundation shared generous donations from business leaders with local food banks to address immediate needs in the community.
• All the while, the Chamber is planning for the future. We are exploring economic development initiatives that will foster diverse industries and support growth in the region. Let us know how we can help you. Connect with the Chamber at info@chamberect.com or call 860-701-9113.