Welcome to the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce

CHR Launches the Mobile Pathways Program Willimantic, Conn. - Nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider Community Health Resources (CHR) today celebrated the launch of a mobile program to bring personalized, effective, and recovery-focused treatments to people across northeastern Connecticut who are struggling with opioid use disorders. The Mobile Pathways Program is an extension of CHR’s Putnam Pathways Program, an outpatient Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) that has been par

The Connecticut utility companies sponsor a program called Energize CT, which allocates funds to assist businesses and nonprofits with energy-efficient upgrades to their buildings. New enhancements have made the program better than ever. If you're in need of any of these measures, your costs could be significantly reduced. · o Heat pumps/HVAC optimization Insulation and air sealing LED lighting and controls Refrigeration optimization Programmable thermostats El

While everyone is enjoying summer vacations and longer days, now is actually the perfect time for Connecticut employers to prepare for several significant employment law changes taking effect on October 1, 2026. Waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed policy updates, non-compliant job postings, and unnecessary liability. Here are the changes that every Connecticut employer should have on their radar: Job Postings Must Include Pay Ranges and Benefits One of the bigge

What Really Determines the Value of Your Home? One of the most common questions I hear is, "What's my home worth?" While online estimates can be helpful, they don't always tell the full story. A home's value is based on several key factors. Location plays a major role, but so do the home's condition, size, layout, and updates. Features like a renovated kitchen, newer roof, finished basement, or energy-efficient improvements can all add value. Another important factor is the c

Prohibition on Promissory Notes Expands to All Employers Effective October 1, 2026 The ban on promissory notes as a condition of employment now applies to employers of any size, eliminating the previous exemption for employers with fewer than 26 employees. These notes require an employee to pay the employer if the employee leaves before a specified period. Any promissory note executed on or after October 1, 2026, will be void. Minimum Wage at Cannabis Establishments Effective

Effective October 1, 2026 The Act expands existing disclosure requirements on internal and external job postings to include pay ranges and benefits. Employers must disclose the wage or wage range for a position and provide a general description of the benefits offered, including health insurance, retirement, fringe benefits, paid leave, and any other compensation. Employers may not retaliate against an applicant (for example, by refusing to interview or hire the applicant) i

Effective October 1, 2026 The Act increases workers’ compensation benefits for health care workers and educators who are injured due to a physical assault resulting from negligent conduct while working. If the assault renders the worker totally or partially unable to work, the worker is entitled to replacement wage benefits equal to 100% of the worker’s average weekly wage, with no caps. Currently, wage replacement benefits are about 75% of the average weekly wage, with caps.

Summer is finally here. The weather will hopefully be getting nicer, vacation requests start rolling in, high school and college students are looking for jobs, and suddenly your carefully built schedule starts looking like a game of Tetris. For small businesses, summer challenges can quickly become overwhelming. One employee requests a week off, another calls out sick, your student workers need limited hours, and before your know it, your reliable team is stretched thin an

Earnest Money Deposits, What They Are and Why They Matter When you are buying a home, one of the first financial commitments you will make is the earnest money deposit, often called the EMD. This deposit is submitted with your offer to show the seller that you are serious about purchasing their home. Think of it as a good faith gesture. The funds are typically held in escrow and are applied toward your closing costs or down payment once the transaction is complete. How Much I

May is one of the busiest times in real estate. More homes are hitting the market, and more buyers are actively looking, which means competition is still strong. Many people assume the highest offer always wins, but that’s not always the case. Sellers are looking at the full picture. Price is important, but so are the terms. A well-structured offer with strong financing, flexible timing, and fewer complications can often stand out just as much as a higher price. Preparation a

If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve considered hiring help—maybe a bookkeeper, a marketing freelancer, an HR Consultant, or someone to support day-to-day operations. The question that often gets overlooked (until it’s too late): Should this person be an employee or an independent contractor? This isn’t just a technicality—it’s a legal classification with real consequences. Misclassifying workers can lead to hefty penalties, back taxes, and even audits. Not ex

Before you rush into 2026 planning, take a moment to look back at the year your brand just lived. Every campaign, conversation, challenge, and breakthrough tells a story—and those stories hold the clues to what your brand truly needs next. December is more than a wrap-up; it’s a strategic checkpoint. A strong brand isn’t built on autopilot; it evolves with intention. Start by revisiting the moments that defined your year—successful campaigns, new partnerships, customer feedba