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www.HartfordBusiness.com • November 13, 2018 • GIVING GUIDE • Hartford Business Journal 37 We are united in our mission to be an advocate of the business community so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of a vibrant economy. With over 35 divisions, committees and councils, the Chamber remains a strong organization that continues to actively support business. The Middlesex Chamber focuses not only on the needs of the business community, but the entire Middlesex County community. We prepare the next generation workforce through the Summer Youth Employment program. We look at the housing needs of workers through the Chamber's affordable housing committee. The Chamber also focuses on substance abuse prevention though seminars and other areas of prevention in this critical public health area. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce recently launched the MEWS+, a co-working environment for business professionals seeking office space, at its office on Main Street with CT Next, the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University, Liberty Bank, and Middlesex Hospital as sponsors. The Chamber administers the award-winning Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program sponsored by Aetna, Inc., which develops minority-owned business owners through year-long classroom instruction. In addition, the Chamber administers the Side Street to Main Street "Business Know-How" Program, sponsored by Eversource, that works in collaboration with the Side Street to Main Street program to help prepare minority entrepreneurs with fundamental skills vital for setting up a business. FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual golf tournament, which raises money for a college scholarship each year. Two additional college scholarships are given out each year. Sponsorship opportunities are available for that golf tournament. In addition, Middletown's Motorcycle Mania and Middletown's Car Cruise Night both raise money for the Summer Youth Employment program and the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES Summer Youth Employment program and the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program and sponsorship opportunities are available for all of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce events that run throughout the year. Sponsorships are also available for the MEWS+ co-working space. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES With over 700 volunteers on our 35 committees and councils, The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce runs on the strength of our volunteers. Additionally, the Chamber connects business leaders to young minds through the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program in which volunteers mentor children by spending time with them in local Middletown public schools throughout the year. Volunteers are also needed for our community events, from Cruise Night on Main and Holiday on Main to Motorcycle Mania and the Taste of Downtown. (Left) Chamber Vice President Jeff Pugliese (standing) converses with Tim Laubacher (l) and Ryan McAraw (r) of Sound Web Solutions, LLC as they work at the MEWS+. (Right) Graduates celebrate 21 years of Minority Business Development Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program (l-r) Ashley Bowman, Jimmy Draughn, Shanikka Hyman, Lola Hardwick, Tiwanda White, Ameilia Teape, Quenisha Williams, Ryan Chanman, Brenda Hernandez, Omar Satchell, and Sonia Santavenere ABOUT US Year established: 1895 Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $1,889,494 (Fiscal Year 16/17) Total number of employees: 10 full time, 2 part time GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S) The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce services the business community in 12 member towns of Chester, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Middlefield, Middletown, Portland, and Westbrook, in addition to servicing any chamber member looking to do business in Middlesex County, Connecticut. TOP FUNDING SOURCES Grants: 24% Private Donation: 12% Events: 32% Dues: 29% Other: 3% 1st Vice Chairman Don DeVivo DATTCO, Inc. Secretary Kathlyn A. Talevi Talevi Enterprises, Inc. Treasurer Steve Ciskowski Lyman Farm Past Chairman Rick Morin Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski President Larry McHugh Chairman Jay Polke Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe, Inc. Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce 393 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 | 860-347-6924 www.middlesexchamber.com OUR MISSION: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic business organization with over 2,175 members that employs over 50,000 people. We strive to be the voice of business in Middlesex County and the surrounding area. BOARD OF DIRECTORS I joined the chamber in September of 2015. From that moment on, the Chamber has been a constant source of education, assistance and fun for me. It has been an amazing experience getting to know everyone that is involved with this great organization. Having a business in Middletown and being a member makes you feel like you have an extended family. The biggest thing I can thank them for is giving me the connection to the most amazing client I could want. Lauren Middleton , Owner at Forest City Marketing, LLC