Fore The Love of Golf, Read This!

Build your network and your golf game.

Fore where there is golf, there is business.

Combining the best of business and pleasure, the Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament provides an enjoyable day to connect with clients or colleagues. This fun and competitive event features a challenging course, great prizes and opportunities to build professional relationships with Valley-area business leaders. Whether you come for the golf or the networking, you’re guaranteed to have a great time under the sun.

Please see attached flyer and take a shot to be a golfer, sponsor or both! Tournament entry includes: 18-holes of Golf; Cart and Green fees; Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages, Snacks on the course plus more. 

 

Tournament features the Curtiss-Ryan Honda Hole-in-One,

plus back by popular demand the early morning shot-gun start at 9:00 am

The Course: Located on nearly 300 acres of beautifully manicured turf grass, trees, watercourses and natural areas, Race Brook Country Club has long been considered one of the finest tests of golf in New England.

Click here for more details and to register or sponsor now!

Or email us today - we are happy to answer your questions.

Funds raised by this event are used to further the Chamber's mission of creating a strong local economy, promoting the Greater Valley region, advocating on behalf of local businesses, and connecting area business people.

Lions, Tigers and Red Pandas...Oh My!

Valley Chamber Honors Community Leaders

Pictured left to right: George Mitchell, GVCC Chairman of the Board; Ethan Fry & Eugene Driscoll, Valley Indy; Diane Stroman, Joe Welsh, Ray Oppel, Tom Haynes, Ramon Peralta, Emcee/Peralta Design/2016 Gold Seal Recipient)
 

 

SHELTON- The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce recently recognized four individuals and one organization for their outstanding achievements in the community at its 46^th Annual Gold Seal Awards Banquet.

 

The Chamber presented five awards consisting of three Gold Seal Awards, one Platinum Award and one Silver Medal Award to the region’s business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of selflessness and volunteerism. These awards are among the most prestigious and time-honored community service awards in the Valley.  

 

Ramon E. Peralta, Jr.  (Peralta Design, Shelton), 2016 Gold Seal recipient, served as Master of Ceremonies.

 

The Gold Seal Award is given annually by the Chamber to a recipient who demonstrates outstanding community service through dedicated and effective leadership.  The Gold Seal Award this year went to Tom Haynes (Haynes Group, Southbury), Raymond A. Oppel (CPA, Shelton) and Joseph Welsh (Aquarion Water, Shelton). 

 

Haynes has been an active participant and committee member for the Parent Child Resource Center charity ride in addition to donating his expertise and resources to Make A Wish and other area projects. Oppel, a Life Scout, is still active as a Boy Scout leader and serves on the board of the Valley Community Foundation. Welsh is best known for his conservation efforts throughout the region and also volunteers many hours with the Shelton schools.

 

In 2001, in honor of the 30^th Anniversary of the Gold Seal Awards, the Chamber introduced the Platinum Award.  It is presented to a past Gold Seal recipient of at least 10 years who is still dedicated to volunteering their time and resources on behalf of the Valley Community. This year’s Platinum Award honoree is Ansonia resident and Executive Vice President at TEAM, Inc. , Diane Stroman and a 1999 Gold Seal Award recipient.

 

Stroman serves on several community boards including the Valley Community Foundation, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club, and the Valley Juvenile Review Board. Stroman is the Chairperson of the Ansonia’s Elderly Services Commission, Co-chair of the Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Committee and former Chair of the Valley Council of Health and Human Services, Valley Council of Senior Services and Valley Council of Youth Services. She is a recipient of the Valley United Way Flynn Humanitarian Award, Valley Women Makes a Difference Award, James E. Wilkins Masonic Community Award, the NAACP Regional Youth Advisor Award and Rotary International Paul Harris Recognition.

 

The Chamber has presented the Silver Medal Award to recognize groups or partnerships that have made extraordinary contributions to the community or to recognize an individual’s dedicated service and assistance to the community.  This year’s Silver Medal Award recipient is the Valley Independent Sentinel.  Launched in the spring of 2009, The Valley Indy is a non-profit online newspaper covering the communities of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.

 

The combined efforts of all the recipients, both past and present, have resulted in lasting contributions in the Greater Valley communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

 

(This is a press release from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

Valley Businesswomen Win Grants

 

    

On Tuesday, December 13th, the Greater Valley Chamber Women In Networking Group distibuted $3000 from their Annual WIN Entrepreneurial Grant program to ConnectiKidz Pediatric Dentistry located in Derby, Law Office of Karen A. Fisher located in Seymour and One Smart Dog located in Shelton.

Pictured (L-R) Dr. Julia Bonks, ConnectiKidz; Sharon Massafra, Home Instead Senior Care (WIN Co-Chair and Grant Selection Committee); Mary Jo Romano, Financial Planner (WIN Co-Chair and Grant Selection Committee); Dawn Lowery, One Smart Dog ; Karen Fisher, Law Office of Karen A. Fisher; Katie Keeney, Comcast (WIN Grant Selection Committee); and Tracy Tenpenny, Tea with Tracy (WIN Grant Selection Committee).

Kickboxing Facility Opens in Shelton

iLoveKickBoxing.com held its grand opening celebration Nov. 9 at its 702 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton location in the Center at Split Rock. Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell joined staff members at the ribbon cutting. / Contributed photo

 

iLoveKickboxing.com is owned by Susan Gillis and offers exceptional workouts to burn fat, burn calories, and build and tone muscle - all with hands-on personal-fitness attention from incredible instructors.  
 
(This is a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Diversified Kitchens Celebrates Grand Re-Opening

SHELTON - Diversified Kitchens, LLC, recently celebrated its grand re-opening at its new and bigger location in the Huntington Shopping Plaza.

 

The company, founded by Douglas Cooper, senior designer, was previously located in a smaller storefront in the plaza. The larger space, in the same plaza, at 43 Huntington St., has enabled the business a huge showroom that's more than double the size of its previous space. The new location features more than 25 cabinet displays, 400 countertop samples, 100 decorative hardware samples and 300 door styles, according to the company's website http://www.diversifiedkitchensllc.com/

 

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell welcomed Diversified Kitchens and its employees to their new location during the grand re-opening last week. 

 

"Doug is a Master Craftsman, Designer & Entrepreneur who has built a strong and successful business in Shelton, which will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary next year," said Purcell.  "Doug and his team of professional designers take great pride in helping homeowners with their customized solutions to Kitchen Remodeling projects.  With the move to a new location in Huntington Plaza, the business has doubled the size of its showroom.  The Chamber is pleased to join with the Mayor in extending congratulations and thanks to Diversified Kitchens for their continued investment in the Shelton community.”

 

Diversified Kitchens is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and by appointment. To reach Diversified Kitchens call (203)944-0055.

Ansonia Business Leader Honored by Junior Achievement

ANSONIA - An Ansonia business executive is among the four honorees who will be inducted into Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut's 2016 'Dr. George R. Dunbar Free Enterprise Hall of Fame’ on October 4th, 2016 at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

 

Philip White, CEO of Better Packages in Ansonia will be honored along with Jack Barnes, President & CEO of People's United Bank, John Stafstrom Jr., Member, Pullman & Comley Traci Morris, CEO of Brookfield Global Relocation Services.

The Hall of Fame recognizes business leaders who have made notable contributions in the area of private enterprise and who have also demonstrated exceptional dedication to their communities.

Philip joined Better Packages, an operating unit of ASCOM Hasler, Inc. in 1997 as General Manager. In 2003, Phil led a management buy-out of the company and became President and CEO. During Phil’s time at Better Packages the company expanded into over 40 countries and revenues increased by over 300%. Prior to his work at Better Packages, Phil held senior level positions at ASCOM Hasler, Inc. and Pirelli Tire Corporation.

Phil serves on the boards of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Shelton Economic Development Corporation, American Heart Association (New Haven Walkathon) and Griffin Health Services Corporation.

Phil holds an MBA in Management from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Science with a dual major in Economics & Education from the University of Southern Connecticut.

For more information about Junior Achievement and ticket or sponsorship information for the Hall of Fame event, call (203) 382-0180 extension 10 or email randoh@jawct.org.

About Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and commu­nity volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship. For more information about JAWCT or to volunteer, please visit www.jawct.org or call 203.382.0180.

 

(This is a press release from Junior Achievement) 

Spend the Day at the Zoo

Free Lunch for Valley Employers

ANSONIA- BHcare will host its 22nd annual salute to Valley employers on May 4.

 

Employers from Oxford, Seymour, Ansonia, Derby and Shelton are invited to a complimentary

luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Molto Bene Restaurant, located on Wakelee Avenue in Ansonia.

 

The event is being sponsored by the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and BHcare Business Advisory Council. The keynote speaker will be Attorney Leonard McDermott and the topic will be Protecting Employer Rights. He will speak about the new labor laws, discrimination and reasonable accommodation. Awards for Employer of the Year will be given to J & B Auto Body of Shelton for the Valley and Lowes of Orange for the Shoreline.

 

Seating is limited and those interested in attending can R.S.V.P. to John Yeager 203-736-2601, ext 1412 or email: jyeager@bhcare.org.

 

Small Businesses Invited to help 'Put Valley on the Map'

Shelton - The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and Pepperland Marketing, a Google Partner agency, have teamed up to help small businesses in the Lower Naugatuck Valley region grow their presence online by hosting a Let’s Put Our Valley on the Map workshop, featuring two interactive sessions: “How To Reach A Local Audience Through Google Search and Google Maps” and “An Introduction To Inbound Marketing.”  The free workshop will be held on on Thursday, November 19^th at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce office, 10 Progress Drive, Shelton, CT, from 7:30 am to 9:00 am.

 

Register here: http://go.pepperlandmarketing.com/lets-put-the-valley-on-the-map-free-event 

 

Let’s Put Our Valley on the Map is part of Google’s Get Your Business Online program and aims to bring community members, business owners and civic leaders together to help small businesses succeed on the web.

 

“4 out of 5 consumers use search engines to find local information nearby, yet only 37% of businesses have claimed their listing on a search engine,” says Soo Young Kim, Head of Small Business Engagement at Google. “Small businesses are the engine of local economies and when they flourish, their communities do as well.”

 

“Closing this gap presents a huge opportunity to boost the local economy,” said Bill Purcell, President of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. “This is a chance for Valley area businesses to collectively expand their online presence and further promote the region as the premier destination for business and leisure.”

Anyone interested in reaching a local audience online to grow their business is encouraged to attend, regardless of their company size or industry.  Attendees will be treated to coffee and light refreshments.Advanced registration is required.

“Consumers now begin their holiday shopping online as early as August. If you can’t be found on Google, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity,” says Sean Henri, founder of Pepperland Marketing. “In partnering with Google for this workshop, we hope to give Valley businesses a competitive advantage as we approach the busy holiday shopping season.”

Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map is a program designed to empower communities to support their local businesses and encourage them to get on the map. Local businesses keep our communities strong; when we help them succeed on the web, they make our communities even stronger. The Let’s Put Our Valley on the Map workshop is a Google presentation hosted by Pepperland Marketing and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.gybo.com to learn more about the program and get involved.
(this is a press release from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce to host 43rd Gold Seal Awards Ceremony

SHELTON >> The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce will recognize five individuals and their outstanding achievements in the community Thursday at the 43rd Annual Gold Seal Awards Banquet.

The Chamber will present five awards consisting of the Silver Medal Award, three Gold Seal Awards and the Platinum Award to our region’s business and community leaders who exemplify the spirit of selflessness and volunteerism; these awards are among the most prestigious and time-honored community service awards in the Valley. Janice Sheehy, 1994 Gold Seal recipient, will be presiding over the event as master of ceremonies.

The Silver Medal Award has only been presented 26 times and was first awarded in 1986. The Chamber has presented the award to recognize volunteer groups or partnerships that have made extraordinary contributions to the community or to recognize an individual’s dedicated service and assistance to the community. This year’s Silver Medal Award recipient is The DiMatteo Family Charitable Foundation (Shelton) created in 2010 as a tribute to their late father, Anthony. Over the years they have raised over $225,000 and helped area charities such as Boys & Girls Club, Moving with Hope, Spooner House, Project Purple and BHcare, to name a few.

The Gold Seal Award has been presented to 149 individuals since 1971. This award is given annually by the Chamber to a recipient who demonstrates outstanding community service through dedicated and effective leadership. The Gold Seal Award this year was presented to Robert M. Bradley (Beacon Falls), Susan Coyle (Shelton) and George S. Logan (Ansonia). Bradley is a founding member of the Beacon Falls Merchants Association and proud member of the Beacon Falls Economic Development Commission and the Beacon Falls Lions Club. Bob can also be found assisting with small fundraisers and at many of the town’s events. Coyle has devoted countless hours as the co-chair for Griffin Hospital’s Breast Wellness Center Campaign and now Valley Goes Pink Initiative. She has been active as a corporator for Valley United Way and Griffin Hospital, as well as a director for the Shelton Economic Development Corporation, the Valley Community Foundation and Secretary for the Center Stage Board. Logan serves on the Junior Achievement of Western CT Board of Directors, the Griffin Hospital Board of Directors and the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA Board. He is a corporator for the Boys & Girls Club and he also has assisted with TEAM’s fundraising efforts.

In 2001, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the Gold Seal Awards, the Chamber introduced the Platinum Award. Only 14 individuals have received the Platinum award and it is presented to a past Gold Seal recipient of at least 10 years who is still dedicated to volunteering their time and resources on behalf of the Valley Community. The year’s Platinum Award honoree is prominent Valley attorney, Dominick J. Thomas (Woodbridge), a 1991 Gold Seal Award recipient. With over 30 years of service on the boards of both the Boys & Girls Club and BHcare and 20 years on the board of VARCA, there’s no denying Thomas’ dedication to the community. He recently began his 8th year of service on the Valley United Way Board of Directors. He was a member of the Valley Advisory Committee of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven as well as the Katharine Matthies Foundation Advisory Board, Oxford Charter Commission and Oxford Town Council. Through the years, Thomas has been recognized with numerous awards including the CGFGNH President’s Award, the Sharon Bryce Holly Community Hero Award and most recently the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award from the Valley United Way in 2010.

The combined efforts of all our recipients, both past and present, have resulted in lasting contributions in the Greater Valley communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

A banquet, sponsored by Aquarion and People’s United Bank, honoring the recipients will be held Thursday at Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange.

For more information, contact the Greater Valley Chamber at 203-925-4981.

This is a press release from Bill Purcell, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Party business in Shelton to mark 1st anniversary

SHELTON - A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Here’s The Party!, 549 Howe Ave. 

The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.  

Owner Kim MacDougall will be joined by family, friends, Shelton Board of Aldermen President John Anglace, and Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell. 

Here’s The Party! is the one-stop place to have your next themed party or special occasion.  You select a theme and they provide invitations to goody bags, set up, clean up and everything in between.
They do parties for children and adults, showers, and the rooms are also available for rent for those wanting to plan their own event.

“I started this business because I love to throw parties," MacDougall said. "I thought it would be a great idea to give moms and dads the chance to be at their child’s party and not have to do anything except take pictures," she said. "Let us do all the work for you.  I personally meet with every client to make sure their event is special.”

Their most popular event is a princess party with beautiful gowns for the girls to dress up in and all the details to make them feel like royalty.

They don’t leave out the boys though; construction or sports parties are big hits. 

If there’s a theme out there, they can do it for you here.  They have flexible hours to work around your schedule.

Contact Kim at 203-924-5559 or heres-the-party@att.net for more information, or visit www.heres-the-party.com.


This post is taken from a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Radio talk show to debut at store in Seymour

SEYMOUR - Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell will be a guest at 7 p.m. today on an Internet radio talk show emanating from the All-American Valley General Store.

It is the talk show's debut broadcast. The show will be co-hosted by Gary Christopher Silvia, whose broadcasting name is Gary Christopher, and Kim Dulka, owner of the All-American Valley General Store, 16 Bank St.
Silvia said they hope to take phone calls, since the show will be live.

The show will be heard on the Internet at www.ctwsr.com. The goal is to bring back local radio with local news, information, talk and community service.
Currently the site broadcasts Big Band music and songs from the '50s and '60s, Silvia said.

Valley Chamber to host Leadercast event in Shelton

SHELTON - The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a special program May 9 where community and business leaders can access the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending Leadercast® at R.D. Scinto, Inc. Auditorium.

The event will run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Leadercast is broadcast live from Atlanta, Ga. to hundreds of sites around the world, including the Greater Valley.
This year’s speaker lineup includes:

• Andy Stanley, Leadership author and communicator 

• Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate & human rights activist live from Cape Town, South Africa

• Malcolm Gladwell, Journalist and best-selling author of The Tipping Point and Outliers

• Randall Wallace,Screenwriter, director, producer & songwriter (Braveheart,Secretariat)

•  Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP

• Laura Schroff, Former ad sale executive and best-selling author of An Invisible Thread

•  Dr. Henry Cloud, Clinical psychologist and leadership consultant

•  Simon Sinek, Best-selling author of Start with Why and leadership expert
• Laura Bush,  First Lady of the United States(2001-2009) via exclusive video interview.

In addition, this year’s featured local leaders include: Charles J. Boulier III, President, ion Bank, Larry Janesky, Founder & President, Basement Systems, Inc.; Ed Schultek, Founder & Managing Principal, Sandler Training; Bob Scinto, Chairman, R.D. Scinto Inc.; and Kimberly Tabb, Business Ethics Officer, Prudential.

Last year, more than 100,000 leaders from 14 countries attended Leadercast. Now in its 15th year, this full day, experiential conference is on track to reach its largest audience to date.

This is the fifth year that the Greater Valley Chamber is hosting this event in Shelton. There are general CEU, CNE & HR credits available to attendees. Locally, the tickets are $99 per person which includes continental breakfast and lunch.

“Leadercast is the best and most consolidated source of leadership training that I know of,” said Greater Valley Chamber President Bill Purcell. “But it goes beyond that. I think this conference, although very focused on leadership, transcends the topic and really shows you how to lead in life.”

Leadercast exists to positively change the way the world thinks about leadership.
This year’s theme—Beyond You: Be A Leader Worth Following —challenges leaders to focus outward rather than inward. Experience Leadercast and discover what it means to be a leader worth following.

For more information about Leadercast, visit www.leadercast.com.
For local ticketing information, call 203-925-4981 or visit greatervalleychamber.com.


This is a press release from Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Women's business group to offer training in Shelton

The Women's Business Development Council will offer a free evening course, Basics of Intellectual Property, from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce offices, 10 Progress Drive, Shelton.

The course will teach the basics about intellectual property rights including patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, and avoiding potential pitfalls.

To register or for more details, call 203-925-0686, toll-free 1-877-999-WBDC (9232), or visit www.ctwbdc.org.


Business counseling
Meet with a business counselor from the Women’s Business Development Council to discuss obtaining capital, marketing, legal issues, finance, business plans and other topics.

Appointment required; location and time to be determined upon registration.
For information call Janet Siegenthaler, 203-353-1750 or email jsiegenthaler@ctwbdc.org.

QuickBooks for Entrepreneurs
Certified QuickBooks advisors from the Women’s Business Development Council are available to meet with entrepreneurs at their place of business to provide insights and guidance with setting up a chart of accounts, bank reconciliations, inventory control, payroll issues, and more.

For more details or to make an appointment, contact Kyle Hamilton, 203-585-7465 or email KHamilton@ctwbdc.org.


For more information, visit www.ctwbdc.org or call 203-353-1750.


This is a press release from the Women’s Business Development Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women become economically self-sufficient. 

Chamber of Commerce president to address Derby Historical Society

    DERBY - William Purcell, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce president, will discuss the proposed Naugatuck River National Heritage Area at the Derby Historical Society’s annual meeting March 9.

    The meeting will be held at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 137 Derby Ave.
    Purcell will show a short film and power point presentation on the sites of the proposed Heritage Area.
    The Society will elect officers and members of its Board of Directors, and the David Humphreys Service Award will be presented.

    Board member Elaine Brandon will present the Society with a copy of a new book, “Anson’s Glory: Ansonia and Phelps-Dodge,” written by her aunt, Elizabeth Crossland Matricaria.
    Refreshments will be served.
    Admission is free; donations are greatly appreciated.
    For information call the office, 203-735-1908, or email info@derbyhistorical.org.
   
    This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society, a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
    Staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia. For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org.

Commissioner to address small business owners at Shelton event

SHELTON - Commissioner Catherine H. Smith of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will offer a brief seminar to area small business people beginning at 9 a.m. Friday at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce office, 10 Progress Drive.

She will introduce them to the state’s small business assistance programs including the highly successful Small Business Express (EXP), Subsidized Training and Employment (Step Up), and Job Expansion Tax Credit (JET) programs.
Immediately following the Commissioner’s presentation, DECD staff will be available to meet with individual small businesses to discuss the opportunities available to them.

“We have some of the best tools to help small businesses in the country, and in the past two years, we have helped hundreds and hundreds of small business people achieve their goals,” Smith said. “Connecticut has experienced the best two-year record of job growth since the late 1990s, with tens of thousands of private sector jobs created. We’re looking to continue that trend, so we’re coming out to the valley to make it a little easier for local business people to learn about our programs, and meet some of our economic development staff.”

The presentation is being hosted by the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Connecticut Business and Industry Association is co-sponsoring the event.

To register, email your first and last name, phone number, company name and address, to SmallBusinessExpressEvent@ct.gov. For more event information, call 860-270-8052.

Visit DECD on the web at www.decd.org.


This is a press release from the Department of Economic and Community Development.  

Applicants sought for Women in Networking grants

Group assists businesswomen in Valley

Women in Networking, a progressive lead and networking group affiliated with the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, is seeking applicants for its annual WIN Entrepreneurial Grant.
This philanthropic program provides financial assistance to women in business, 18 years of age or older in Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

The WIN grant, celebrating its 10th year of providing grants to area women, can be used for expenses to enhance the applicant’s current business or to start a new business.

These expenses may include: equipment, tuition, books, transportation, business wardrobe or childcare necessary to reach the applicant’s career goals.

Since its inception in 2004, the WIN grant has benefited 29 women- owned businesses in the Valley with more than $28,000 in grants.

In 2007, the WIN Entrepreneurial Grant became a new named fund with the Valley Community Foundation allowing contributions to be made directly to this designated fund.
But what speaks even louder than the statistics are the testimonials.

For Jean Mai, a grant recipient in 2008, just $500 was enough to give her the breathing room she needed to purchase supplies for her business, Science Snoopers, which provides educational programs for children in the areas of nature, animals, the body, habitats and other science themes. “It’s the little things that so many kids miss these days. That’s what I try to teach them how to see the little things outside – bugs, tracks in the snow, the like.”
Prior to receiving the grant, Mai had to purchase supplies for her programs one by one.  By having the cushion, she was able to have an inventory of supplies and developed four new programs that year alone.
She participated in the WIN group for the year following the grant and noted “through WIN, I see how hard that women work to make their businesses a success and are real goal oriented.”

Kim Dulka was awarded a $1,500 grant this past year from the WIN group. She is the owner of the All American Valley General Store in Seymour and used the funds to install kitchen sinks in order to serve food at the store.  “I couldn’t have done it without WIN. I am now able to offer farm fresh lunch, which is a huge portion of our business.”

Past grant recipient, Mandy Oram, of Paws & Kisses Pet Sitting Service, LLC, comments, "The WIN grant helped me make a success of my business. Through the award, I purchased a computer and software that enabled me to automate my client files and scheduling which saved me precious time to concentrate on expanding the business. Being a WIN grant recipient is about more than just the grant money. The help and support of the professional, friendly and knowledgeable WIN members over the ensuing years has been invaluable,” Oram said. 

Megan Crandlemire, owner of Starboard Digital confirmed, “I was fortunate to receive a WIN Grant in 2011 to purchase a laptop, allowing me to meet with clients in person and give visual demonstrations of my work. This has been a tremendous asset to my business.  The grant helped expose me to networking opportunities and new relationships which have helped Starboard Digital thrive professionally and me personally.”

Appletini Harvest fund-raiser
WIN raises money for the Grant program through its annual silent auction event.  Local businesses and supporters are encouraged to participate through sponsorships and the donation of items for auction.
This year’s Appletini Harvest event will be held 3-6 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Inn at Villa Bianca, 312 Roosevelt Drive, Seymour.
Cost per person is $40, which includes martini tasting, hor d’oeuvres, door prizes, and a silent auction.
For non-martini drinkers, a cash bar will be available. A special discounted pre-fixed menu dinner is offered at Tavern 1757 for Appletini attendees with advance reservations. Call the restaurant at 203-516-5461 for details.

Debi Molfese, WIN member, Marketing Director of Villa Bianca, and 2013 Chair of the Appletini Harvest Silent Auction offered, “We are grateful for the many local businesses that provide sponsorship through advertising and donated items to be auctioned.  It is a fun time with great food, drink, prizes, and auction items.”

Minimum grant is $500
The minimum one-time grant is $500. Greater amounts may be awarded according to individual needs and funds available.
Call 203-925-4981 for information about the grant application, which can be downloaded from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce website at www.greatervalleychamber.com and by clicking on the WIN link.

Grant applications must be postmarked by Oct. 4, 2013.
Applicants will be evaluated on a nondiscriminatory basis without consideration of race, national origin, religious affiliation or disability.
Grant recipient(s) will be announced in December during the WIN holiday luncheon.
Recipient(s) will also be invited to a complimentary one-year membership to the WIN Group.

Tickets may be purchased from any WIN member, via the Chamber’s website at http://bit.ly/12V1gcJ  or by calling the Chamber,  203-925-4981.
Make checks payable to the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber also accepts Discover, Visa, MasterCard or AMEX.

WIN is the first group of its kind to service the six-town region of the Greater Valley. Founded in 2002, the group was formed by a successful group of businesswomen who meet to discuss common issues. Meetings are conducted on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the GVCC office or off-site at a Chamber member location.
Social and educational events are scheduled throughout the year.                     


This is a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.       

Openings available in Leadership Greater Valley program

SHELTON - Leadership Greater Valley is now accepting applications.

Leadership Greater Valley is a training program for professionals
combining leadership building with community education. What sets this program apart from others is its ability to go beyond corporate to develop the vision and the drive for community change.

The program is scheduled to start Sept. 12, and will run for eight consecutive Thursday afternoons.
LGV is an eight-week program where participants can get a bird’s-eye-view of the issues facing the Valley.
The class is limited to 15 selected individuals who will have the personal opportunity to learn from leaders of many local organizations and associations.
The small class size allows for participants to gain an intimate, one-on-one experience with instructors.

Focus first on individual
The program is unique in that it focuses on the individual before moving on to focus on the Valley. Also, instead of one full day a month for one year, like most other programs, the Leadership Greater Valley program meets for four-five hours per session and the program is completed in eight weeks.

The program is perfect for those new to the area or for companies that see potential in someone to become a leader.

It’s designed for managers and leaders to develop and hone their leading skills.

Virginia Dedad, program graduate and owner of Royal Service Travel, helped highlight some of the benefits of the program:
 “The best benefit is that it increases your knowledge of the Valley and the surrounding towns and the introduction to your classmates is invaluable. It’s a wonderful way to meet people and bond with them.
"You also have the opportunity to meet with leaders in the Valley and get the tools they’ve used to be successful. If someone’s not in a leadership role, it gives them a good insight to what it takes to become a leader. It helps people from all walks of life and all ages.”

This program format has proven successful in many Connecticut communities.
Tuition is only $495 corporate first person rate; $350 non-profit and additional people from any one company.
For more information call the Chamber office, 203-925-4981.

Download the application here. Application deadline is Sept. 9, 2013.  





This post is taken from a press release from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.