MiddlesexCounty ChamberofCommerce BusinessStrategy
TheMiddlesexCountyChamberofCommerceisthelargestChamberinthestatewith over2,000membersthatemployover50,000people.TheChamberisastrong advocateforbusinessesandeconomicdevelopmentandprovidesvaluableresources andservicestoitsmembersandlocalcommunities.Itisthelargestchamberinthe state,servingmembersin14townsinMiddlesexCounty,including500membersfrom theCityofMiddletown,anurbancenterwithsomesignificanteconomicchallenges.
TheChamberisanonprofitorganizationwithanannualoperatingbudgetof$2,000,000 whichsupportsthe13staffmembers,75summerjobsforstudentsandprovides numerousprogramsandservicesforitsmembers. TheChamberisdisciplinedinits staffinglevelsandbudgeting. Itcollectsduesfrommembers;generatesrevenuesfrom trainingandevents;collaborateswithbusinesses,publicandprivateeducational institutions;andleveragesstateandfederalprogramstoprovidecost-effective programsandservicesforitsmembers.
TheChamberconductsprogramsthatsupportdiversity,equityandinclusion,economic development,workforcedevelopment,youthemployment,manufacturing,housing, substanceabuseprevention,veteransandtourismforbusinessesandresidents, includinghistoricallyunderservedpopulations.
TheMiddlesexChamberofficehoststheConnecticutSmallBusinessDevelopment Center,MiddlesexCountyRevitalizationCommittee(MCRC),CentralBusinessBureau andCentralRegionalTourismOffice Theseentitiespartnerwiththechambertoactively supportbusinessesandeconomicdevelopmentwhichbenefitresidentsofMiddletown, thecountyandthestate.
2024-2025BusinessPlan
TheChamber’s2024–2025BusinessPlanseekstobuildonitslongstandinghistoryasa trustedbusinessadvocate,providingvaluableservicesforitsmembers,enhancingthe businessclimateandprovidingworkforcedevelopmentopportunitiesinMiddlesex Countyandbeyond.
KeyAreasofActivity:
Value
Provideeducationalprograms,peersupport,recognitionandvariousnetworking opportunities.
Givemembersopportunitiestodevelopbusinessrelationshipsandfriendships. Representbusinessintereststoalllevelsofgovernment Serveasacatalystforaddressingcriticalissuesfacingourmembersand communities.
Reflectthediversityofbusinessesandresidentsacrossour14-townregion. Tapintomoneysavingbenefits,resourcesandprofessionaldevelopment opportunitiestocreativelyshowcasebusinesses
Connections
Offerdistinctandvariedengagementopportunitiesthatleadtostrongbusiness connectionsforChambermembers.
Exposeourregion’sbusinessleaderstoresources,opportunitiesandideasthatwill helpshapetheeconomicfutureofourcommunity
Promoteandfosteranenvironmentofinclusivity,collaboration,andinnovation Provideaccesstopotentialclients,capitalopportunitiesandassistancetohelp growourregion’ssmallbusinesses.
ProfessionalDevelopment
Offerlocalemployershigh-qualityleadershipdevelopmentpathwaystoenhance skillsoftheirworkforceandstrengthenconnectionsamongbusinessleaders. Enhanceindustry-specificeducationandtrainingthroughpartnershipswithkey stakeholdersthroughoutthestate.
Providestrategicguidance,bestpractices,andtrainingtomemberbusinessesto enhancetheircompetitiveness
Facilitateemployers’accesstotoolsthatenableworkforceupskillingand streamlinetalentrecruitmenttofulfillcurrentdemands.
Educate partnersandfutureworkforceaboutcareeropportunitiesintheregionand theessentialskillsneededforthesepathways.
Advocacy
Educateandprovidesupportforcriticalpolicyissuesthataffectourmembersand thebroaderbusinesscommunity.
Surveymembersregardingbusinesspolicymattersandusethefindingstoalign thechamber’slegislativeagendaandsteeradvocacyefforts.
Utilizethecombinedvoiceofourmembersandcollaboratewithstakeholdersto influencepublicpolicyforthebettermentofthebusinesscommunity Enhanceouradvocacystrategyforworkforceandtalentdevelopment
AnticipatedOutcomes:
Enhancememberengagementandstrengthenconnectionswithour membersthroughincreasedparticipationintraining,programs,and utilizationofresourcesandservices.
Ensurechambermembersstayinformedonpolicies,regulations,and bestpracticesthatmayimpacttheirbusinesses.
Advocateforlegislationandregulationsalignedwithourmemberdriven publicpolicyagenda.
Strengthenedconnectionsandadvocacyeffortswithelectedofficials representingour14-townregionatlocal,state,andfederallevels.
Promotethegrowthofourminoritybusinessesbyincreasingourdiverse, equitableandinclusiveprogramsandactivities.
Fosterandcultivateourmanufacturingcommunitythroughrelationship building,resourcesharingandpromotion.
Attractandretainyoungprofessionalsbyexpandingourleadership developmentpipeline.
Continuetogrowyouthdevelopmentbyincreasingprogrammingand workopportunities
DevelopaneconomicdevelopmentplanforallofMiddlesexCountyand RockyHill.
Broadenthescopeofeventsandactivitiestodiversifycontentand venues.
