Welcome to Our Newest Members | |
A warm welcome to our newest members!* We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be! | |
To advertise your business or organization in the September member marketplace and get premier placement for your company, contact David Huck at dhuck@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701. Space is limited! $100 per ad. | |
|
- Wednesday, August 28 @ 2:30 p.m. - Alaska Company - 586 Main Street South - Southbury
- Friday, September 6, 2024 @ 11 a.m. - Joseph Bette Realtors' 50th Anniversary celebration - 185 Main Street North - Southbury
- Thursday, September 12 @ 2:30 p.m. - Connecticut Distilling (Formerly known as Continuum Distilling/under new ownership/renovations) - 2066 Thomaston Avenue - Waterbury
- Friday, September 13, 2024 @ 11 a.m. - Michaels Jewelers - 775 Main Street South - Southbury
- Thursday, September 19 @ 11 a.m. - SPYNE Pilates Studio - 77 Main Street North, #204 - Southbury
Come out and help your fellow Chamber members come celebrate their special occasion!
| |
Government Affairs & Economic Development Corner | |
CT NewsJunkie Story: Republicans Call For Special Session On Energy Policy
Countless small and large businesses across the state are outraged by an electric bill spike. Was your business impacted? The answer is yes.
| |
Leadership Greater Waterbury: Accepting Applications | |
|
Area professionals who are interested in developing their careers and becoming better leaders within their organization should consider applying for the Chamber's Leadership Greater Waterbury program, which kicks off its 2024-25 class with the first of a day-two orientation on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
The program got its start in 1985 and over the last few decades, more than 500 area workers have participated in Leadership Greater Waterbury, gaining new insights, skills, and lifelong connections that have repeated benefits not only to their personal growth, but also for their company or organization.
During the interactive program, participants have the opportunity to hear from regional leaders and facilitators from public, private, and nonprofit businesses, as well as more than 500 alumni, to learn about the resources and challenges that affect Greater Waterbury. Through in-person visits, training opportunities, and hearing firsthand from speakers, the participants learn about local and state government, arts and entertainment, history, the local business community, health and human services, education, and communication.
Employers interested in joining the large list of local companies committed to developing leaders within their organizations and the community should consider this rewarding training program. Business owners and CEOs say that employees who graduate from Leadership Greater Waterbury stand out among their colleagues and excel in their work and abilities, bringing a greater return on investment for the company. Classes start November 20 and run once a month until June 11, 2025. The deadline to apply is September 6, 2024. If you have questions about LGW, contact LGW Program Director Terry Macary at tmacary@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701. For more information, visit www.waterburychamber.com
| |
September 7: Brass City Brew & 'Que | |
September 16: Waterbury Regional Chamber Open | |
Young Professionals of Waterbury Region | |
From Our Newsletter Sponsor: Post University | |
|
Post University Set to Host 2024 Golf Tournament on September 10
On September 10th, Post University will host their annual Golf Outing/Tournament at the Country Club of Waterbury in Waterbury, Connecticut starting with registration at 9:30 AM and an 11:00 AM start.
The outing is a charity event in which 100 percent of the sponsorships and donations will go toward The Leadership University and In a Heartbeat organizations, two Waterbury nonprofits. To participate, the cost is $200/person or $800/foursome while sponsorships start at just $200.
The cost will include greens fees, carts, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tee gifts while there will be prizes for first place, longest drive, closest to the pin, and Hole-in-One.
Breakfast sandwiches will be provided at the 9:30 AM registration with an 11:00 AM shotgun in a Scramble format. Dinner will take place after the outing/tournament concludes and those who are interested in just dinner can register for $50.
Sponsorship packages are available and begin at $200.
Interested in playing, becoming a sponsor or need more information, please contact Mike Brienza at mbrienza@post.edu or Marc Kuntz at mkuntz@post.edu
| |
HR Corner: FTC Rule Banning Non-Compete Agreements Still Set to Go Into Effect | |
|
As we previously reported, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a Final Rule that, effective September 4, 2024, will invalidate nearly all existing non-compete agreements and would bar employers from entering into non-compete agreements with workers in the future.
The FTC’s Rule has been subject to legal challenge but, to date, it has not been enjoined on a nationwide basis. A Texas federal judge enjoined the Rule only as it applies to the plaintiffs in that case. And, more recently, a federal judge in Pennsylvania outright denied the plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief.
What does this mean for employers? While it is possible that a nationwide injunction could still issue, employers must assume that the Rule will go into effect on September 4, 2024, and be prepared to comply.
The Final Rule not only prohibits nearly all employers from entering into non-compete agreements with workers, but also invalidates all existing non-compete agreements except those entered into with “senior executives”. A “senior executive” refers to a worker earning more than $151,164 and who is in a “policy-making position” as defined in the Rule.
The Rule also requires employers to notify current and former workers (excluding “senior executives”) subject to non-compete agreements that those agreements will not be, and cannot be, enforced. The FTC has provided a model notice that employers can, but are not required to, use. Employers must provide notice on paper delivered by hand to the worker or by mail at the worker's last known personal street address. Notice may also be provided by email at an email address belonging to the worker, including the worker's current work email address or last known personal email address, or by text message at a mobile telephone number belonging to the worker.
The deadline for employers to provide notice is September 4, 2024. Therefore, employers should not feel compelled to take any immediate action. Instead, employers should continue to closely monitor legal developments and be prepared to send out notices if the Rule is not enjoined. To this end, employers should: (a) determine what current and former workers have existing non-compete obligations that could be invalidated by the Rule; (b) determine whether any of these impacted current or former employees would be considered “senior executives”; (c) compile contact information for these workers; and (d) develop a template notice.
Employers should also determine whether to enter into non-compete agreements for senior executives before the Rule’s effective date and what other steps they can take to protect their business interests, such as implementing non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements, retention bonuses, and taking additional security measures to prevent the improper disclosure and use of proprietary trade secret and business information.
For additional information, please contact a member of our Labor and Employment group.
| |
|
*Nick Zaino is a partner at Carmody Torrance Sandak and Hennessey LLP and co-leader of the firm’s Business Services Group. He can be reached at 203-578-4270 and by email at nzaino@carmodylaw.com
This information is for educational purposes only, to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.
| |
Advertising Opportunity: Health Matters | |
|
The Southbury Chamber will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wyndham Southbury Hotel. During the event, the Chamber will present four awards, recognizing exceptional individuals and businesses that have made significant contributions to the community:
Community Leader of the Year: Danielle Hawthorne, Southbury Neighbors Magazine
Business of the Year: Señor Panchos
New Business of the Year: Gyre9
Unsung Hero: Kenneth Korsu
| |
Hiring & Training Programs Available | |
|
The Northwest Construction Careers Initiative
NCCI — The Northwest Construction Careers Initiative — offers Northwest Connecticut residents the opportunity to pursue a career in the construction and building trades. Job training and employment possibilities include:
- OSHA 10, OSHA 30, and Hazwoper certifications
- CORE Curriculum, which includes HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical.
Orientation sessions are held each Thursday at 249 Thomaston Avenue in Waterbury, CT beginning at 10AM. You do not need to RSVP to attend, but you will need to be on time to participate.
| |
Healthcare training program
The NRWIB is currently offering training opportunities in the following fields:
- Patient Care Technician
- Central Sterile Processing
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Certified Nurse’s Aide
- Community Health Worker
| |
|
CT WHISP Program
Connecticut Workforce & High-Tech Industry Skills Partnership (CTWhisp) Program offers a variety of IT career training at schools such as Naugatuck Valley Community College and Patrick’s Academy.
Naugatuck Valley Community College in partnership with the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board is offering grant-funded, short-term (15 weeks), IT course clusters aligned with industry certifications and supportive services. Clusters include Networking, Programming, Systems, Software and Project Management. Each IT cluster has been mapped to Microsoft and/or CompTIA certifications. The course clusters are offered free of charge to eligible CTWHISP participants. Additional services include enrollment assistance, academic advising, and employment services. In addition to gaining skills and stackable credentials, participants at NVCC will earn between 9-12 college credits that may be used towards a degree.
| | | | |
