Middlesex Chamber Anticipates Herbst, Sen. Larson Appearances

The month of March has begun amidst brisk activity at the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce in the form of council and division meetings as well as activities. 

Last week, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman made one of her final stops in our region for the Portland/East Hampton Division at Angelico’s Lakehouse Restaurant in East Hampton.

The Chamber also welcomed two new businesses to the region last week. The Glass Doctor in Portland, just over the bridge on Pickering Street, was opened by Andrew Doscher. He and his team provide glass replacement for homes, offices and vehicles.

The Middletown law firm Updike, Kelly and Spellacy has moved in to office space on Main Street at 300 Plaza Middlesex, right near Thai Gardens. This is one of three office locations for the firm, including Hartford and New Haven. 

Rich Carella, a longtime member of the chamber, is the leader. We also welcome managing director Jef Wolter, Derek Phelps, John King and co-founder Pete Kelly.

The Kumon Math and Reading Center held a grand opening March 4 at 779 Newfield St., Middletown. Neeta Mehrotra is the lead instructor at the school, which runs after-school academic enrichment programs for students of many ages.

This year, out of the past nine, has been the chamber's biggest fiscally in gaining new members. This growth is indicative of the county’s economic development, especially in its northern section.

I also expect to see continued growth as we move forward in 2011 in our manufacturing sector because of Pratt & Whitney securing the rights to produce the engines for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Congressmen John Larson (D-1st) and Joe Courtney (D-2nd) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3rd) and former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd and Sen. Joe Lieberman have been very active in the effort to bring these engines to Connecticut.

I am very excited to celebrate this very big win for the state with Larson when he speaks at our chamber breakfast meeting April 19.

The breakfast meeting with UConn President-Designate Susan Herbst is March 21 at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. This event is on pace to be a sellout; we have more than 400 registered guests already. She will speak about the importance of higher education in this state and where she intends to guide it during her administration. 

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will introduce Herbst and have remarks for the full house of business leaders.

Next week, Lennie Leibenhaut of Centerpoint Connecticut breaks ground on his new “green” office condominium building March 17 at 306 Industrial Park Road in Middletown. This is the first of seven Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-registered green buildings in the project.

Connecticut Business Day is Wednesday, a very important one for the business community. Chamber members are invited and business leaders will have a chance to hear from key legislators on issues ranging from state spending to the rising costs of health care and energy.

The morning will include four breakout sessions: State Budget/Fiscal Policy; Labor Issues; Small Business; and Energy/Environment. There is no cost and transportation will be offered to and from the event, in Hartford at the Legislative Office Building.

Busses will depart from the chamber at 7 a.m. and the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell at 7:20 a.m. Transportation is free to members thanks to DATTCO and its president Don DeVivo.

For information on chamber events and activities, contact Matt Fraulino at (860) 347-6924 or matthew@middlesexchamber.com.

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