Advocacy Powers Business Growth for the Bridgeport Region! Commerce and Community Connect to Amplify the Voice of the Greater Bridgepor t Region in the Halls of Government
We are so proud of the depth and quality of the content we’ve put together for the spring 2019 issue of Region Magazine. Each issue of Region will concentrate on the Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s work in four primary categories or pillars that support our overall mission of growing the economy of the Greater Bridgeport Region. Economic Development, Leadership Development, Business Development, and Legislative Advocacy make up our core pillars. The BRBC team works everyday to drive economic growth, to train business and community leaders, and to increase visibility and business opportunities for our member businesses and the business community at large. The focus of the spring issue centers on our fourth core pillar, which examines how government relations and political advocacy can support and enrich businesses represented by the BRBC. One of our key functions throughout each year is to provide opportunities for our members to engage with local, state and federal legislative leaders who are instrumental in drafting and executing economic policies that impact successful commerce. And, throughout the year, BRBC provides important opportunities for the business community to engage with the legislative leaders who are instrumental in making and supporting policy. Exclusive access to elected and appointed government officials is available via events held by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and our affiliated Chambers of Commerce in Bridgeport, Stratford, and Trumbull. The seven town labor market in the Bridgeport Region includes Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull. Our Engagement in Bridgeport, Stratford, and Trumbull is enhanced by the hyper-local connection we have with each of these communities via our Chamber of Commerce affiliates. That positive engagement also results in a close working relationship with the economic development departments of each
of these municipalities as well as the municipalities of Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, and Shelton. An important extension of the BRBC is our Government Relations Committee. This volunteer group of dedicated and invested BRBC members includes: Albert Carbone, UIL Holdings Corporation; Charles Scott, Tri-State Realty & Insurance; Dianne Auger, St. Vincent’s Medical Center; Michelle McCabe, The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport; George Logan, Aquarion Company; Gregg Dancho, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo; Jacqueline Blake, Bridgeport Hospital; Mark Antonini, The Center for Family Justice, Inc.; John Stafstrom, Pullman & Comley, LLC; Kelly Wade Bettuchi, AT&T; Alice Ferreira, Webster Bank; Jim Gilroy, PSEG Power Connecticut LLC; Sandi Hennequin, Bridgeport Energy, LLC; Susan Cipollaro, Fairfield University; Renee Dobos, Connecticut Housing Partners; Timothy Hodges, People’s United Bank; Tom Dillon, TBD Consulting; Dr. Rose Ellis, Housatonic Community College; Katherine Saint, Schwerdtle. This committee plans and coordinates events, initiatives, and communications that are designed to advance the collective voice of the business community in legislative circles. In the pages ahead, you will see some highlights of BRBC’s legislative work, you’ll read about an opportunity to bring jobs, drive home sales, drive apartment rentals, and grow tourism and needed tax revenue to the Greater Bridgeport Region. You’ll also find our business resource guide. This business to business resource is updated with each issue to provide you with a handy reference for all the products and services you need to grow your business. And, our 2019 Directory of Elected Officials is included in this issue as a special section. This is an important resource that we encourage you to use often. And, we at the BRBC, invite you to help us engage all the individuals we elected to represent both commerce and community in our region regularly. You are also invited to share your thoughts and concerns related to growing our local and state economy with the BRBC so that we can effectively carry the collective message of our business region to Hartford, to Washington, D.C., and to our local government officials. Want to get more involved in the BRBC’s legislative efforts on behalf of the business community?
Powerful Partners Serving our communities means providing reliable, essential electricity and natural gas service. It also means investing our energy in the organizations and events that make our communities special. We are pleased to lend our support to the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.
Call us at 203.335.3800. We want to hear from you!
Dan Onofrio President & CEO Bridgeport Regional Business Council
Kate Hampford Donahue President, Hampford Research, Inc; Board Chair, Bridgeport Regional Business Council
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