SIDE STREET TO MAIN STREET SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM
“BUSINESS KNOW-HOW” CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION
Chandler Howard, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce announced the presentation of certificates to 15 people who participated in a special Side Street to Main Street Supplemental Program “Business Know-How”, a new and unique program designed specifically to assist those who had previously applied for the Side Street to Main Street Minority Business & Leadership Development Program, but were not accepted after they submitted qualified applications.
The award winning Side Street to Main Street Minority Business & Leadership Development Program attracts more applicants every year for the 16 available openings than can be accommodated. In an average year, 25 to 35 qualified applications are received, but between 9 and 19 applicants have to be turned away. Many applications from those who did not make the cut are of high quality and clearly, many applicants are disappointed that they cannot be part of the program. While these applicants will be given preferential consideration if they apply again the following year, there is an unfilled need in the “minority community” that the Chamber recognized.
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, through its non-profit foundation, Business Industry Foundation of Middlesex County, applied for, and received a generous funding grant from the Connecticut Light & Power Company and Yankee Gas allowing the Chamber to provide the Side Street to Main Street Supplemental Program “Business Know-How” this past spring to 15 people who welcomed the opportunity to participate in four intensive classroom work sessions, with outside homework, over an eight week period.
A presentation of certificates took place on Tuesday, August 14th at the Chamber of Commerce in Middletown, where Theresa Hopkins-Staten, Director, Connecticut Public Affairs, Northeast Utilities was in attendance, and presented the participants with their certificates.
Ms. Hopkins-Staten accepted a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas, for their generous support of the Side Street to Main Street Supplemental Program “Business-Know How”.
For more information, contact Jennifer, Program Coordinator
Email: jennifer@middlesexchamber.com.
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SIDE STREET TO MAIN STREET
BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Sponsored by: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
Funded by: Aetna, Inc. Facilitated by: The Essex Group
In 1996, there were very few minority owned businesses in Middlesex County. At the urging of the NAACP, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce created the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program, and sought the financial support of Aetna, Inc., who has generously funded and supported the Program ever since.
Now entering in its 16th year, the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program, is a one year long entrepreneurial and business development course, with a rigorous curriculum, designed to assist minority small business owners in the community, who have not had formal business training, to become more successful by developing the attitudes, skills and qualities necessary for effective business ownership and success, taking them from the Side Street to the Main Street of the business community. Since the inception of the program in 1997, over 186 people have graduated from the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program, and it has been a successful and effective way in which we have encouraged the development and growth of small, minority-owned businesses, which are now part of the central fabric of the Middlesex County business community.
Beginning with 15 facilitated, interactive 3 to 4 hour weekly work sessions, two hours of outside reading and written homework for each hour of the weekly group sessions, the program is designed to build skills, explore the true entrepreneurial interests of each person, by producing a formal, compelling and operational version of their business and financial plans. Quarterly follow-up sessions reinforce the process so that participants meet with their expert business facilitators over the course of one full year.
Admission to the Program is competitive. Each Fall, new Applicants must attend a Mandatory 3-4 hour Program Orientation and complete a detailed Application. The top 16 qualified Applicants are admitted to the Program. Although open to any Connecticut minority business, priority is given to Middlesex County minority businesses.
Classes are held at the Chamber offices, 393 Main Street, Middletown. The fee for this program is normally over $5,000 per participant, but because Aetna, Inc. provides a generous Grant, there is no charge for qualified participants.
Taught by The Essex Group Facilitator, JIM JACKSON, the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program has won a number of awards since its first program began in 1997/1998.
The 1998 Middlesex County NAACP Business Award for the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program was the first NAACP Business Award to any state Chamber of Commerce.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy honored the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program with the Vision 2000 Award as the State Model of Excellence for Minority Business Development.
In 2006, The Middlesex County NAACP’s Annual Business Award was renamed the Lawrence D. McHugh Business Award in recognition of Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President, Larry McHugh’s ongoing commitment to minority business development. The first recipients of the renamed award were:
Aetna, Inc. for their funding and support of the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program.
Jim Jackson and David Bohy of the Essex Group for designing and facilitating the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program.
In 2007, the U.S. Small Business Administration gave its Connecticut Minority Small Business Champion Award to Jim Jackson for his work on the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program.
In 2011, the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program was presented with a Celebrate Connecticut! Award by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC), along with a Statement of Recognition from
Governor Dannel P. Malloy, for commitment and service, promoting economic development in the State of Connecticut.
For more detailed information, Email: jennifer@middlesexchamber.com or telephone Jennifer 860-347-6924.