It all started when…

Co-sponsored by the Regional Water Authority, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Fellowship Program began as a business visitation program for research and business retention and expansion (with 60 site visits completed) before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program quickly pivoted to provide emergency support for businesses in navigating government assistance and guidelines, with 350 support calls and 100 resource referrals completed, alongside a webinar series and new pro bono consulting program (Trusted Advisors).

Pre-pandemic

Overseen by a newly created Director of Economic Development position and two experienced mentors, Economic Development Fellows were hired from five local universities:

• Albertus Magnus

• Southern Connecticut State University

• University of New Haven

• Quinnipiac University

• Yale University

During the Pandemic

As government programs began to address the economic impact of the pandemic, the Chamber’s staff and fellows started an outreach program, contacting 350 local businesses (50 conversations coordinated by the fellows) and completed 100 tracked resource referrals. 

Direct outreach focused on:

• Reopening guidelines

• Securing personal protective equipment

• Assistance completing paperwork for the Paycheck Protection Program

As part of this effort, the Chamber:

• launched the Trusted Advisors program, offering pro bono accounting and consulting services

• held more than 30 webinars on topics to support businesses, including stimulus fund guidelines, preparing financial documents to meet government assistance requirements, reopening best practices, and maintaining mental health (Recordings are available here) 

• realigned their workforce retention goals and put their staff through workforce development training offered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The foundation laid by this sponsorship continues to generate impact through the ongoing economic developments initiatives of the Chamber, focused on business expansion, workforce development, and inclusive growth.

Business Visitation Outcomes

From the visitation outreach series, the Chamber has identified six business expansion projects that are moving forward (even through the pandemic) and that their team is continuing to support.

As an example: a local food company - which distributes fresh cut fruit and vegetables for supermarkets from their current location in New Haven - is looking to expand to a 20,000 sq ft site and scale up their sauce bottling capacity. They were provided additional site options, referred to several resources, and received help posting 2 job openings.