Have you heard about the Chamber’s birthday? On March 31, 2010 the Chamber will turn 100. No matter how you cut it, 1910 was a big year in Connecticut and throughout the country. The organization that grew into the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut had its humble beginnings that year as the New London Businessmen’s Association.  What you may not recall is that 1910 was the year Connecticut’s most well known figure, Samuel Clemens, popularly known as Mark Twain, rode Halley’s Comet out to the great beyond.  The comet streaked across the sky the year he was born, and he famously—and accurately—predicted that he would go out the way he came in– with the comet that made its appearance every 75 years.

Not long before that on the very day the New London Businessmen’s Association came into being, The Day newspaper boasted to advertisers that it could guarantee double the circulation of all other New London newspapers put together.  If that wasn’t a good deal for business owners, Day subscribers could get their favorite paper delivered in the mail for $5.  A year.  Add a dollar for home delivery.

Connecticut wasn’t the only happening place.  Nationally, the Boy Scouts of America was formed.  Father’s Day was first celebrated in Spokane, Washington.  The Camp Fire Girls of America was founded and, Fanny Brice joined the Ziegfeld Follies. As we said, it was quite the year. Share with us anything you may know about that year, or general time period.

No Comments »

When New London Harbour Towers received their Regional Chamber Award for Community Revitalization of the Year, Lou Tagliatela had some flattering things to say about New London’s role in the project. Tagliatela, of Franklin Construction LLC of New Haven, joined forces with Tony Silvestri to complete the project in recent months. He had this to say:

In October 2008, Franklin Construction, LLC assumed financial control of New London Harbour Towers. Our hope was to begin steel erection the following April but various approvals were needed. Based on our experience with other municipalities we were apprehensive about meeting our timeline.

The Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce offered to help in any way possible. Planning and Zoning and the City Manager put the project on a fast track. The Building Department, the Fire Marshall and the Historic Commission made suggestions and gave quick responses that avoided delays.

 Our family has been in construction for four generations and has worked in 37 municipalities. We have found New London to be the City which has been easiest to work with.

Workmen began steel erection in April as projected and the project progressed steadily. On two occasions we sought approvals from City Council and received unanimous approvals. As a result of those approvals New London now enjoys a brand new project with a much enhanced Columbus Circle. Property taxes will be tenfold previous taxes paid.

Thanks, Lou, for giving New London the credit it deserves.

No Comments »

In 2009, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut:

Held 150 programs and events

Welcomed 241 new members

Had 2,778 visitors at our New London Visitor Information Center in the summer, and enjoyed many other notable successes, which we shared with you both in our annual report and at our annual meeting last week.

Thanks to all who attended our annual meeting. We enjoyed toasting the Chamber’s success with you all! And congratulations once again to our Regional Chamber Award winners:

New London Harbour Towers
Bob Blinderman
Captain Daniel Packer Inne
AT&T
Chuck Seeman

Thank you to Keith Fontaine, our outgoing chairman of the board, and welcome to our incoming chairwoman, Dr. Grace Sawyer Jones of Three Rivers Community College. We look forward to working with you in 2010!

Enjoy the meeting? Let us know your thoughts.

No Comments »

The Chamber today hosted our Annual Regional Construction Forecast breakfast, with leaders from local cities and towns available to discuss upcoming projects.

 The community heard from Michael J. Murphy, AICP, Director of Planning & Development for the town of Groton; Michael MacDonald, project executive at The Downes Group; Gary Goeshell, town planner for East Lyme; Daniel Steward, First Selectman of Waterford; and William R. Haase, AICP, Director of Planning for Stonington.

Thank you to our sponsors, New London Harbour Towers and SAVA Insurance.

What did you think of the breakfast? Tell us your thoughts!

No Comments »

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is now accepting nominations for the Citizen of the Year Award. The award, now in its 60th year, is presented annually to honor an individual for their outstanding contributions to the civic and business community.

There is no time limit during which the nominee’s distinguished service to the community was rendered. Service can be during the previous year, in recent years or over a lifetime. While the nominee does not need to be a native of eastern Connecticut, he or she must be a resident now or at the time during which the distinguished service was performed.

For a nomination form and award criteria, click here. Nominations may be emailed to Heather Leonard, director of programs and events, at hleonard@chamberect.com or faxed to the Chamber at 860-701-9902.

Nominations are due by 4 p.m. Monday, February 15. Please call us with any questions at 860-701-9113.

No Comments »

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has announced the 2009 Regional Chamber Award winners, to be honored at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 10:

Board of Directors Special Award
Chuck Seeman, President & CEO, United Community & Family ServicesSmall Business of the Year
Captain Daniel Packer Inne 

Community Revitalization Leader of the Year
New London Harbour Towers 

Chamber Technology Leadership Award
AT&T 

The Chamber will also announce Volunteer of the Year award during the awards presentation.  The 2010 Annual Meeting will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 10 at The Spa at Norwich Inn, 607 West Thames Street, Norwich.

The order of business will include the 2009 year in review, projections and expectations for 2010, an introduction of new board members and the annual awards presentation. The event will kick off the Chamber’s 100-year birthday celebration. The Chamber will turn 100 on March 31 and is planning an event for November.

A heavy hors d’oeuvres reception will follow the meeting. The cost to attend is $35 per person. To register, click here.

No Comments »

Thanks to all our members, friends, state and local officials, benefactors and sponsors for making our Open House an evening to remember!

Congressman Joe Courtney joined us for a ribbon cutting ceremony at our new incubator space for new businesses, funded by a federal grant. Bill Turner from AT&T presented a “check” for our new Chamber Technology Center.

The raffle winners of last night’s drawing are:

Dinner for two in Octagon at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa:
David Morehead, Waterford Country School

Dinner for two in the Lounge at Octagon at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa:
Ted Brown, SSC, Inc.

Thank you to Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa for your generous donation, and your services during our event. Thank you also to our sponsors: Waterford Hotel Group, Via Panera, Octagon at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, Gourmet Galley, Pepsi, Mambo Bar & Restaurant, Filomena’s Market Cafe & Catering, Wylee’s Wood Fired Pizza, Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant, Fiddleheads and Tio Juan’s Margaritas.

The Chamber looks forward to working with you all in 2010.
Attend the event? Tell us what you thought!

2 Comments »

A group of local community leaders have organized efforts to respond to the extraordinary humanitarian needs of the Haitian people caused by the recent earthquake. Our plan is to direct financial donations to an established and respected local organization, the Haitian Health Foundation (HHF), whose president is Dr. Jeremiah Lowney of Norwich. Dr. Lowney founded the organization over 25 years ago and is familiar with the unique needs and challenges presently confronting the Haitian people.  The money raised will be directed to this highly respected local organization of impeccable credentials. The HHF is proud of the fact that over 92 cents in every dollar goes to the Haitian people.

 This group plans to coordinate efforts in CT and RI and to concentrate activities in a single week. This effort is incremental to all that has been achieved so far or is already underway. It is not competing with any other organizations’ work.

You can help in the following ways:

Raise awareness with your staff and customers and collect funds.

The following ways of collecting funds are suggested:

Agreeing to a company match for each $ contributed by each staff member

Making a company donation

Collecting cash from your customers

Donating a % of your profits during the Haitian Relief Week

Please click here for more information. 

Please use the following web link that describes the HHF and how the funds can be transferred www.haitianhealthfoundation.org.  It is worth noting that credit card payments by VISA or Mastercard do not attract a fee whereas AMEX does. Any cash you raise will be deposited in a bank for the benefit of the HHF.  Again see the web link for details.

Please visit us at  www.haitianhealthfoundation.org  if you agree to support this extraordinary situation.  We would be grateful if you would leave a comment here with details of businesses that should be contacted.

This is a time for the business community to pull together and demonstrate their civic generosity to a nation trying to survive in the most desperate of circumstances. Please be assured this effort is directed in the most cost efficient manner to the very people that need it.

With best wishes,

Dr. Declan Doogan, MD
Chair of Organizing Committee

Dr Jeremiah Lowney
President, HHF

No Comments »

We are fortunate to have a company as generous as Pfizer in our community. Each year, they contributes significantly to the good and welfare of our region with their Community Grants program.

Pfizer recently announced their 2010 Community Grants Application Cycle.  They are accepting grant applications now through March 31, 2010 for programs that run from July 2010 – June 2011.

Programs focused on the following priority areas will be considered for funding:

Access to Healthcare
Science and Math Education
Community Vibrancy

Click here for more information on Pfizer’s Community Grants.

Please visit http://pfizer.sponsorwise.com to submit your application.

Has your business or non-profit applied for funding this year? Are you finding there are still many opportunities for grant funding? Let us know here.

No Comments »

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, in partnership with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, (CBIA), the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC), and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, has conducted a survey seeking opinions on the economy.

The results, to be unveiled at our Economic Forecast Breakfast next week, are assisting the Chamber in formulating a pro-business legislative agenda for the upcoming session. The survey was sponsored by Citizens Bank and conducted by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) in partnership with the Chamber, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. 

Jeff Blodgett of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Jason Giulietti, research economist with the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and State Comptroller Nancy Wyman will also speak at the breakfast, which will be held from 7:45 – 9:30 a.m. at the Radisson of New London, 35 Governor Winthrop Boulevard, New London. It is sponsored by Groton Utilities and held in conjunction with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

Call 860-701-9113 to register.

Didn’t take the survey? Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts on the economy.

No Comments »