State Senator Kevin Kelly Takes Part in Greater Valley STEP UP Conference

September 20, 2012
From left to right: State Senator Kevin Kelly, State Representative Larry Miller, State Senator Joseph Crisco, State Representative Rosa Rebimbas, State Representative Linda Gentile and State Representative Len Greene..

From left to right: State Senator Kevin Kelly, State Representative Larry Miller, State Senator Joseph Crisco, State Representative Rosa Rebimbas, State Representative Linda Gentile and State Representative Len Greene.

Ansonia – State Senator Kevin C. Kelly (R-21) and State Representative Larry Miller (R-122) took part in the Greater Valley STEP UP Conference to provide information to business owners about the state resources that are available to help them grow and find local skilled workers at the Ansonia Armory on Wednesday, September 12th.
 
"Last year, I was proud to support legislation to encourage job creation and economic development," said Senator Kevin Kelly. "This informative event was a great example of how government can partner with small businesses to put Connecticut families back to work."
 
Several presenters spoke to the crowd of over 150 small business owners and other individuals about resources such as wage reimbursement and training grants, information about reducing hiring costs, incentives for hiring veterans, financial assistance for expanding businesses, opportunities to train new hires and special opportunities for businesses owned by women, minorities and persons with disabilities.
 
Passed during the October 2011 special session, the jobs bill provided much of the financial assistance available to businesses that was discussed during the conference.
 
The conference was hosted by Rep. Linda Gentile and Sen. Joseph Crisco. Other attendees included Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, Rep. Rosa Rebimbas, Rep. Len Greene and Sen. Carlo Leone.
 
State sponsors of the conference included the state Department of Labor and its Office of Workforce Competitiveness and its Veterans’ Workforce Development Office, the state Department of Economic and Community Development, the state Board of Regents for Higher Education, and the state Department of Administrative Services.
 
Other groups included Career Resources, Inc., the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the Connecticut Society of Human Resources Managers State Council, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, the New Haven Manufacturer’s Association and The WorkPlace.
 
"I would like to thank both Rep. Gentile and Sen. Crisco for hosting this event and connecting these resources directly to the businesses that want to grow and expand," continued Senator Kelly.
 
Small businesses interested in learning more about the resources that are available can contact the following agencies:

  • STEP UP (Subsidized Training and Employment Program) Regional Coordinator Carmen Nieves may be contacted by email [email protected] or by phone at 203-610-8478.
  • Office of Veterans’ Workforce Development Program Manager Veasna Roeun may be contacted by email at [email protected] or by phone at 203-455-2713.
  • Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Senior Specialist Lindy Gold may be contacted by email [email protected] or by phone at 860-270-8073.
  • Connecticut Department of Labor Regional Director Victor Fuda may be contacted by email at [email protected] or by phone at 203-455-2701.
  • Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education Manufacturing Coordinator Jodi Calvert may be contacted by email [email protected] or by phone at 860-885-2601.
  • Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Program Manager Meg Yetishefsky may be contacted by email at [email protected] by phone at 860-713-5228.