State labor staff pitches grant programs to employers

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Elinor Ellis
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1 State labor staff pitches grant programs to employers Dirk Perrefort Published 11:32 pm, Thursday, June 5, 2014 DANBURY -- Would you like to have an extra $12,000 in your pocket? That's exactly what Steven Gray, the STEP UP coordinator for the local workforce investment board asked a group of several dozen business owners gathered on the west side campus of Western Connecticut State University on Thursday. By using one of several grant programs available through the state, Gray said employers can receive the money for hiring a new worker who was previously unemployed. "The STEP UP program can do that," said Gray, who spoke during the state Department of Labor's Employer STEP UP conference, one of several similar events being held around the region to spread the word about the program and other state hiring incentives. Gray explained that the program has grants available including those designed for small manufacturers with less than 100 employees and companies that hire veterans who served at least 90 days of active service. During the new employee's first six months on the job, the company can receive a wage reimbursement from the state of up to $12,500 depending on the program, he said. "The program is not retroactive. You need to have your paperwork in place before you hire the person," Gray said. Robert Horton, vice president of finance for Bethel-based Blackstone Industries, said he wished he had known about that when they hired a purchasing agent last year. "We could have taken advantage of that program," he said. "I'm still glad we hired the person. But we could have used that money to further opportunities in other areas of the business." Horton said the manufacturing company, which has about 61 employees, could also take advantage of a training program offered by the state. While many manufacturers in the region are concerned about a lack of skilled employees, Horton said his company trains employees when it brings them on board. Labor department officials at Thursday's event explained that through the incumbent worker training grant, a program that's been around for nearly three decades, a company can be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of employee training costs.

"The state understands the need to invest in companies that invest in their employees," said Stephen Romano, the labor department's job center director for the Danbury and Waterbury regions.

2 "The state understands the need to invest in companies that invest in their employees," said Stephen Romano, the labor department's job center director for the Danbury and Waterbury regions. Presenters at the event also discussed opportunities for businesses through the Access Health CT, the state's public health insurance exchange, how to bid on state contracts and programs that incentive companies to hire returning veterans. "It was one-stop shopping," said state Rep. Robert Godfrey, D-Danbury, one of several local lawmakers to attend the event. "The real test is seeing all the employers staying after the event to talk to all the presenters. That's when you know it was a success. They are seeing real opportunities here that can help them grow their business." The next state Department of Labor STEP UP conference will be held June 12 at the Torrington campus of the University of Connecticut, which is located at 855 University Drive. For more information check out Photos by H John Voorhees III: Robert Horton, from Blackstone Industries Inc, in Bethel, listens to a presentation during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses, held on Western Connecticut State University, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

Sue Miller, from Employee Assistance of the North East, listens to a presentation during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the

3 Connecticut State Representative Bob Godfrey listens to a speaker during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses held on Western Connecticut State University's westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, Sue Miller, from Employee Assistance of the North East, listens to a presentation during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses, held on Western Connecticut State University, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

Steven Gray, STEP UP Coordinator, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, gives a presentation on "Wages and training reimbursement grants under the STEP UP and VETS STEP UP programs" during

The conference was held on Western Connecticut State University's, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

4 Steven Gray, STEP UP Coordinator, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, gives a presentation on "Wages and training reimbursement grants under the STEP UP and VETS STEP UP programs" during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses. The conference was held on Western Connecticut State University's, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, Jennifer Herz, an Assistant Counsel, with the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), talks with Judy Handwerker, from Wonderfully Whole, a health and fitness solution company from the Danbury, Conn area, during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses held on Western Connecticut State University's, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

5 Paul Sullivan, from DCG Precision Manufacturing, in Bethel, listens to a presentation during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses, held on Western Connecticut State University, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, The Connecticut Department of Labor held a conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses on Western Connecticut State University's, westside campus, in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014

6 Jordie Kern, from Attababy Jobs, during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses held on Western Connecticut State University's, westside campus,in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, Jordie Kern, from Attababy Jobs, during the Connecticut Department of Labor conference on the state's tax incentives for small businesses held on Western Connecticut State University's, westside campus,in Danbury, Conn, on Thursday, June 5, 2014.

2016 FCC EEO Public File Report for Charter Communications OPS Litchfield Cnty CT

2016 FCC EEO Public File Report for Charter Communications OPS Litchfield Cnty CT Note that multiple functional groups may comprise this employment unit. The individual reports for each group in combination comprise the complete public file report for this employment unit. 2016 FCC