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05/22/2018 02:15 PMBusiness owners in Clinton are invited to the 2018 Clinton Resource Forum, the first in a planned series that the town hopes will jump start economic development. The free event runs from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 East Main Street.
Economic Development Commission (EDC) Chair John Allen said the focus of the event will be to ensure Clinton businesses are aware of all the resources available to them.
“Nobody in town with a business problem should be walking around saying, ‘I don’t know where to go,’” Allen said. “Clinton is a great place where people can come and start something.”
The idea for the forum series came out of conversation Allen had with First Selectman Christine Goupil. Allen said that he hopes that the series will inspire the business owners in town to reach out if they need help.
“The purpose of this event is to engage our local company owners on assistance and educational resources available to help them succeed at any stage of their business life cycle,” Goupil said. “Attendees can expect to learn about financing, networking, professional mentoring, and technical assistance, just to name a few.”
A major resource for local businesses, Allen said, is the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC), which helped put together the program. Allen said CERC is ready to help businesses find financing, develop marketing plans, and pursue grants.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with community business leaders, local government officials, and representatives from community organizations like Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Connecticut Small Business Development Center, SCORE, SECTER, and Clinton Chamber of Commerce. In addition to a presentation from CERC, speakers will include representatives from the Small Business Administration, the state Department of Economic & Community Development, Community Investment Corporation, Middlesex Revitalization Committee, and Workforce Alliance.
“Of additional value, attendees will have ample time for networking,” Goupil said. “Creating connections with other local businesses may lead to new prospects and collaborations. Having the opportunity to speak in person with officials involved in policymaking and economic development at the local, regional, and state levels can be beneficial for business owners in expressing their challenges and concern.”
Allen said that he hopes the event series will be a signal to the businesses in town that Clinton is “walking the walk, not talking the talk” when it comes to economic development in town.
“People have heard this before; the goal is to convince people,” Allen said, noting that the EDC had sent out 750 invitations to businesses.
Going forward, the EDC plans to hold one event a quarter, with a focus on different topics. Allen described the current state of economic development as “very static” and attributed slow economic development in Clinton in part to poor communication between Town Hall and the people and businesses in town. He sees that changing, however.
Allen, a Republican, said he had to “give credit where credit is due” and that Goupil, a Democrat, has been serious about economic development. Allen said that Board of Selectmen members have been coming to EDC meetings, a new development.
Goupil said aggressive economic efforts are part of her job description.
“The Town Plan of Conservation and Development highlights the commitment to this growth in the areas of existing infrastructure. It is our job as first selectman, Board of Selectmen, and EDC to move those actions items from the plan forward,” she said. “The economic development function is a priority to retain, expand, attract, and create businesses in town. I am committed to creating the resources and relationships to make the role of economic development integral to how we do business in the Town of Clinton.”
The Clinton Economic Development Commission 2018 Clinton Business Resource Forum runs from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at Andrews Memorial Town Hall, 54 East Main Street. The event is free; advance registration is encouraged at www.eventbrite.com.