The Buzz: people & places

a release. “This comprehensive project is helping the Aquarium reduce energy usage and costs, with savings estimated at $1.8 million.”

In addition, Liberty Bank was awarded for its outstanding partnership and support of Green Bank initiatives, including the Groton Fuel Cell project.

The organization also announced its Smart-E Loan Top Performers, who have helped families across the state make home energy improvements. These included the following local companies: Benvenuti Oil Company (Waterford), and R&W Heating Energy Solutions LLC (Salem).

CHAMBER NEWS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation has awarded grants to support 35 programs that address essential needs in the region.

The check distribution ceremony and photo opportunity took place April 26 at the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce's office in Waterford.

Among the recipients were: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc., $1,500; Connecticut Story Telling, $1,000; Eastern Connecticut Ballet, $1,000; Eastern CT Community Gardens Association, $1,500; Eastern Workforce Investment Board, $5,000; FRESH New London, $2,500; Girls on the

Run of Southeastern CT, $1,000; Goodspeed Musicals, $5,000; High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., $3,000, and Higher Edge, $2,000.

Also, Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, $500; Kings of the Diamond, $1,750; Madonna Place, Inc., $3,000; Mystic Aquarium, $1,500; New London Homeless Hospitality Center, $2,500; Niantic Children's Museum, $1,000; Norwich Bully Busters, 1,000; Norwich Rotary Foundation, $1,000; Norwich Youth, Family, & Recreation Services, $1,500, and Our Piece of the Pie, Inc., $2,000.

In addition, Public Library of New London, $2,000; Riverfront Children's Center, $1,540; S.T.E.P.S., Inc., $1,500; Safe Futures, Inc., $3,000; SARAH Inc., $1,700; Southeast CT Community Center of the Blind, $2,400; St. Vincent de Paul

Place, Norwich, $5,000; Thames River Community Service, Inc., $1,000; Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc., $2,500; The Covenant Shelter of New London, Inc., $1,800;

The Maurice C. La Grua Center, Inc., $1,000; Tommy Toy Fund, $15,000; United Community and Family Services, $5,000; United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, $5,000, and Yellow Farmhouse Education Center, $1,500.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for high school seniors in the region. Students who are planning to attend college or a technical, vocational or apprenticeship program are eligible to apply by May 7. Applications are available at ChamberECT.com/foundation.

EVENTS

Local farmers markets in the Norwich area will be held as follows:

Ledyard Farmers Market:

Wednesdays, June - September, 4-7 p.m.

Montville Farmers Market:

Tuesdays, June 13-Sept. 26, 4-7 p.m.

Downtown Norwich Farmers Market: July 12 - October, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Bozrah Farmers Market:

Fridays, July 8 - Oct. 14, 4-7 p.m. Also in Bozrah, a Mothers Day Market will be held May 13, 11a.m. - 2 p.m.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Sertex Broadband Solutions of Plainfield has won the contract to construct the initial phase of a passive optical network that will serve residents and businesses in 24 towns in southern Vermont. The Deerfield Valley Communication Union District, operating as DVFiber, awarded the contract to expand highspeed symmetrical internet service and voice over internet protocol services to reach nearly 5,000 locations, of which 4,290 are currently underserved or unserved.

Under the contract, Sertex will install more than 500 miles of fiber optic cable plant. A 36-month construction timeline is anticipated, with completion in early 2026.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, the New Haven-style pizza restaurant that has a store at

Mohegan Sun, has revamped its Pepe's Rewards program to offer its loyal guests more benefits and faster rewards.

Customers can access the new app by searching "Frank Pepe" in the App Store, scanning the table tent QR code at their local Pepe's or navigating to the rewards tab on the website. For more information, visit https:// order.pepespizzeria.com/register.

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly has received a 2023 Rhode Island Historic Preservation Matching Grant from The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with Preserve Rhode Island. The $3,250 award will be used to fix leaky roof drains at the center on Industrial Drive in Westerly. The iconic saw-tooth roof was built in 1928. It was home to several businesses over the years, but most notably the Guild Guitar factory from 1966 to 1995. The Jonnycake Center purchased the building in 2021.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Women’s Business Development Council is encouraging child care businesses in Connecticut to apply for grant funding through its Child Care Business Support Program and Opportunity Fund. The program offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified child care businesses.

Interested child care providers can apply for the next round of Start-Up and Expansion Grants through May 31. Applicants can visit ctwbdc.org/ child-care-business-grants to learn more.

TRENDS

Employment growth in Connecticut's clean energy industry in 2021 experienced the single highest increase in the past five years, according to the recently released 2022 Connecticut Clean Energy Industry Report.

Recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, clean energy bumped up its percentage of the statewide Gross Regional Product by nearly 7% to $7.07 billion, the report said.

This is the third industry study produced by the Connecticut Green Bank, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Eversource, and United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas.

MEETINGS

The City of New London is holding an Economic Development Forum on achievements, opportunities, and challenges led by Mayor Mike Passero and the City's Director of Planning and Development, Felix Reyes from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, at the Garde Arts Center.

RSVP by May 22 to Richelle Meneses at rmeneses@newlondonct.org.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will hold a Business After Hours event at Hilton Mystic from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 10. Cost is $15 for Chamber members, and $25 for non-members.