The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut

09/03/2026

Che splendida serata! 🇮🇹✨

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut's Annual ECTy Awards was more than a celebration of achievement. It was a celebration of the people who make growth possible across our region. Hosted at the beautiful Lake of Isles, the night highlighted a powerful truth: Eastern Connecticut's continued growth is driven by individuals, organizations, and leaders who believe in excellence, service, innovation, and investing in the communities we call home.

Congratulations to all our 2026 honorees:
🏆 Small Business of the Year: Ace Overhead Doors
🏆 Business of the Year: General Dynamics Electric Boat
🏆 Community Revitalization Leader: RJ Development + Advisors LLC
🏆 Non-Profit of the Year: TVCCA - Thames Valley Council for Community Action
🏆 Best Place to Work: Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (SCADD)
🏆 Tourism Leader of the Year: Thames River Heritage Park
🏆 Volunteer of the Year: Atif Faruqui, Turboflow AI Solutions
🏆 Board of Directors Special Award: Anthony Joyce, Chelsea Groton Bank
🏆 Strategic Partnership Award: Public Affairs Officers of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and The Connecticut National Guard
🏆 Cultural Coalition- Culturesect Award: Chris Beaudry, The River Room - Willimantic

Each honoree represents a different part of our region's success story, but all share a common commitment to creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and raising the standard of excellence in Eastern Connecticut.

Thank you to our sponsors, the spectacular team at Lake of Isles, photographer Anne Ogden (Lighthouse Reflections Photography), and Mike Mauro - Jazz with Passion for providing the perfect soundtrack to the celebration. We are also grateful to the many elected officials and community leaders who joined us, including representatives of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

To our nominees, sponsors (Chelsea Groton Bank, SCADD, Shoreline Florist, Gourmet Galley Catering, Willimantic Renaissance), members, and guests, thank you for helping make this evening a true celebration of Eastern Connecticut's spirit, success, and future. Grazie mille for supporting the vision that drives our region forward.

09/01/2026

We cannot wait to celebrate! RSVP to join us:
https://info.chamberect.com/events/Details/ribbon-cutting-for-residence-inn-mystic-1912260?sourceTypeId=Hub

We can’t wait to show off our fresh new look, and you’re invited to celebrate with us. Join the team at Residence Inn Mystic Groton alongside The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut for our official Grand Reopening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! ✂️✨Stop by to tour the updated spaces, sample delicious local bites, score cool giveaways, and raise a glass with us! 🥂♥🍾

08/31/2026

In case you missed the festivities this past weekend...Congrats Filomenas Restaurant and Private Dining on 20 years! 🎉 Thank you for the wonderful post, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. 🎥

08/26/2026

✨One week away!✨
Join the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut for The Annual Chamber ECTy Awards: Una Serata Italiana on Wednesday, September 2 at Lake of Isles.

We're closing out summer with an Italian-inspired evening — good w**e, real connection, and a little dolce vita✨ — as we come together to honor the businesses, leaders, and innovators who've made a real difference across our region this year.

🍇 Send off summer in style
🏆 Celebrate this year's award winners
📍 Lake of Isles | Sept 2 | 5:30–9:00 pm

Reserve your seat (or your table of 8) now!
https://info.chamberect.com/events/Details/the-annual-chamber-ecty-awards-una-serata-italiana-1763861?sourceTypeId=Website

08/25/2026

✨Congratulations to Thames River Heritage Park , our 2026 Tourism Leader of the Year!✨

Every summer, retired naval utility boats hit the water and the Park comes alive, carrying visitors from across the country on the Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruise, historic boat tours, and evening cruises between June and October. It's a year-round effort too, connecting over 25 heritage sites and institutional partners through a winter Lecture Series, Docent Academy, and educational programs that keep local history alive for the next generation.

Join us to celebrate their work bringing the Thames River's history to life, September 2 at Lake of Isles!

Tickets at https://info.chamberect.com/events/Details/the-annual-chamber-ecty-awards-una-serata-italiana-1763861?sourceTypeId=Website

08/21/2026

Today, The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut celebrates General Dynamics Electric Boat's official groundbreaking ceremony at the former Crystal Mall site in Waterford, a transformational investment in our region's workforce and economy.

The nearly 900,000-square-foot facility will prepare the next generation of talent through expanded training opportunities in welding, engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing. Featuring a welding school with triple the current capacity, 40 classrooms, prototype mockups, and augmented reality problem-solving technology, the campus represents the next era of workforce development and will support EB's growing workforce needs for years to come.

As speakers emphasized throughout the ceremony, Connecticut's greatest resource is its people. This investment will strengthen the workforce pipeline, support defense strategy, enhance educational opportunities, grow our communities' small businesses, influence individuals and families to stay within the region, and create career pathways for generations of residents. As Rob Brule, Waterford First Selectman noted, growth isn't just about getting bigger, it's about getting it right.

Thank you to GDEB’s President Mark Rayha and Director of Talent Acquisition Courtney Murphy, Connecticut State Building Trades Council & Training Institute's Executive Director Joseph Toner, and (Live Connecticut) DECD Deputy Commissioner Matthew Pugliese, along with leaders from the Town of Groton/City of Groton Government, Waterford Police Department, our local, state, and federal delegation, workforce development partners, and industry stakeholders for your dedication to advancing national security and further cementing Eastern Connecticut as an innovation hub and the Submarine Capital of the World.

08/21/2026

🎉Congratulations to United Way of Southeastern Connecticut on hosting another outstanding Community Celebration, bringing together organizations, businesses, volunteers, and community leaders who are making a tangible difference across our region.

This year's celebration highlighted the incredible impact that can be achieved through collaboration. From helping meet a significant increase in food pantry demand during the government shutdowns, to mobilizing volunteers across programs and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into critical services, United Way continues to strengthen our communities every day.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut was especially honored (and surprised) to be recognized as Community Partner of the Year. Our team members are proud to be engaged with United Way's Board, Women's United, SECT Childcare Collective, and Young Leaders United, and we value United Way's active involvement in our Chamber community.

Special acknowledgement to all recipients and honorees:
🏆 UCFS Healthcare and Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., Health Community
🏆 The Salvation Army - New London, CT and SECT Childcare Collective, Youth Opportunity
🏆 Always Home and UCP of Eastern CT, Financial Security
🏆 Reliance Health, Inc., Agency of the Year
🏆 General Dynamics Electric Boat and the EB Employees' Community Services Association, Campaign Coordinator of the Year
🏆 Mohegan Sun, Chairman's Award of Excellence
🏆 WONDR NATION and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Community Support & Generosity Award
🏆Rotary Clubs of Southeastern Connecticut, Community Collaboration Award
🏆 Norwich Public Utilities, Community Engagement Award
🏆 Zachry Group, Employee Campaign Performance of the Year
🏆 Connecticut Sun, Innovation Award
🏆 CorePlus Credit Union, Loyal Company of the Year
🏆 Norwich Public Schools, School Engagement of the Year
🏆 Ledyard High School Youth Alive Bible Club, Special Recognition Award
🏆 Bill Skeens, Volunteer of the Year

Together, we are proving that United is the Way to meaningful impact, creating stronger communities and opportunities for all. 💛❤️💙

08/21/2026

🚨 2 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY🚨

Maybe you've been thinking about starting a business for years. Maybe you're already figuring it out as you go.

Over nine weeks, Entrepreneur Academy takes participants from market research to legal, marketing, funding, and a final pitch night, building relationships with mentors and other entrepreneurs along the way. $0 tuition.

You don't need everything figured out to apply. You just need to take the next step.

🚨 Applications for Entrepreneur Academy 2026 close tonight, August 23 at 11:30 PM. Class size is limited to 40.

https://chamberect.com/entrepreneur-academy/

08/20/2026

✨Congratulations to Tony Joyce, President & CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank , winner of this year's Board of Directors Special Award!✨

Tony joined Chelsea Groton in 2013 and has led the bank since 2023, growing it into the largest independent bank in New London County. He's also given his time generously to this Chamber, having chaired our Board of Directors, and continues to serve boards across the region from Hartford HealthCare to Catholic Charities of Norwich.

Join us to celebrate Tony on September 2 at Lake of Isles!

Tickets at https://info.chamberect.com/events/details/the-annual-chamber-ecty-awards-una-serata-italiana-1763861.

08/20/2026

An Evening of Milestones, Connections, and Community at the Garde! 🎉

Last night, The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce - Norwich, CT, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, and Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce memberships gathered at the beautiful Garde Arts Center in downtown New London for a special Centennial Kickoff Business After Hours. 🎈

The evening celebrated the launch of the Garde's 100th Anniversary Season 🎶🎤🎭 and the 80th Anniversary Season of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra 🎺🎻🎹, recognizing two organizations that have helped shape the cultural fabric of our region for generations.

Guests enjoyed networking throughout the historic venue, performances by ECSO musicians, and interactive experiences from STARS To STEM, Inc.’s Traveling Regional Planetarium. 🌕🔭 Attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about the Garde's newest improvements, including a new loading dock 🚚 and access ramp designed to accommodate larger touring productions and support the theater's continued growth. 🙌🍿

A special thank you to our local vendor partners for helping make the evening such a memorable one:
🍷Jonathan Edwards Winery
🔥 Noble Smokehouse
🍺 Tox Brewing Company
🍦 D'Angelo's Ice Cream

Congratulations to the Garde Arts Center and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra on these incredible milestones. Here's to celebrating a rich legacy, embracing exciting new opportunities, and building a vibrant future for the next century of arts, culture, connection, and community in Eastern Connecticut. 💫