The Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) at Eastern Connecticut State University is planning to offer a free Business Plan Workshop for our local small business community! Whether you have never created a business plan or are looking to update an existing one to better reflect your business today, this workshop would be a great opportunity.

A business plan is a written document that serves as a roadmap for starting, running, and growing a small business. It outlines your business goals, how you plan to achieve them, your target market, and your financial projections.

We are reaching out to gauge interest in this workshop and determine a date and time that would work best for our local business community. We understand everyone has busy schedules, so we want to make this workshop as accessible as possible.

If you have a minute, we would greatly appreciate you completing the brief survey below to indicate your interest and preferred availability. If it’s easier, you’re also more than welcome to simply reply to this email with your feedback!

Workshop Interest Survey: Free Business Plan Workshop – Interest Survey – Fill out form

Additionally, we recently launched our SBRC Business Intake Form, which provides local business owners and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to connect directly with the Small Business Resource Center and explore the resources and opportunities available through Eastern. Whether you’re interested in connecting with a class or student interns, attending workshops and networking events, or exploring other ways the SBRC can support your business, we encourage you to reach out through the form so our team can help make those connections!

SBRC Website: Small Business Resource Center – Eastern

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly or contact our team at sbrc@easternct.edu.

Thank you for your time and input! We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to support our local small business community.

Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Announces Kelly Bellavance as New Executive Director

NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT — The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Kelly Bellavance has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director. Bellavance brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, leadership, relationship building, small business ownership, and community involvement to the role.

Bellavance was selected following a comprehensive search and interview process led by the Chamber’s hiring committee and Board of Directors. A Brooklyn resident, local small business owner, and active member of the region’s business community, Bellavance brings both an impressive professional background and a strong connection to Northeastern CT. Her experience in leadership, relationship building, event management, and community engagement will help guide the Chamber as it continues its work supporting businesses across the 23 towns it serves.

Bellavance spent more than two decades working in college admissions, including nearly 16 years as Associate Director of Admission at Boston College. Throughout her career, she led recruitment initiatives, managed teams, built relationships with schools and community partners, and coordinated large scale events and programs with thousands of attendees.

Bellavance is also no stranger to organizational leadership. She served as President of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) and held numerous other leadership roles within the organization during her career in higher education.

Her experience also extends directly into Northeastern Connecticut’s small business community. In 2022, Bellavance and her husband opened Stoneledge Inn in Brooklyn, transforming an 1870s farmhouse into a bed and breakfast that they owned and operated. She has served as Secretary of the Brooklyn Business Association since 2023, sits on the Board of Directors for the Brooklyn Cares Community Center, and has been involved with the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce since 2022.

“Kelly brings a wonderful combination of leadership experience, business knowledge, and genuine commitment to Northeastern Connecticut,” said Amy Brunet, President of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that she understands the importance of relationships and community in the work of the Chamber. We are excited to welcome Kelly and confident she will continue building on the Chamber’s momentum while bringing her own ideas and leadership to the organization.”

The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce serves 23 towns across the region, connecting businesses, communities, and resources to support a strong and thriving Northeastern Connecticut economy. Through monthly networking events, educational programs, legislative and advocacy events, marketing opportunities, and community partnerships, the Chamber works to support, promote, and strengthen the businesses and nonprofit organizations that make up our region.

“I am so excited to welcome Kelly into this role,” said Elle Sherman, outgoing Executive Director. “From the beginning of this process, Kelly’s genuine commitment to our community really stood out. She understands small business because she has lived it, and she has spent her career building relationships, leading teams, and bringing people together. I am excited to work alongside her during this transition and know the Chamber will be in great hands as Kelly leads it into its next chapter.”

“Northeastern Connecticut has truly become home for me and my family, which makes the opportunity to serve this community in a new way incredibly meaningful,” said Kelly Bellavance. “I’ve experienced this region as a resident, a small business owner, and an active member of our local business community, and I’ve seen how much pride people have in this place. I’m excited to listen, learn, get to know our members across all 23 towns, and build on the great work already happening here. It feels a little bit like coming home to a role that brings together so many parts of my professional and personal experience.”

Bellavance will train alongside Sherman throughout September, allowing for a month-long transition before Sherman’s final day as Executive Director on September 30.

To learn more about the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, its mission, events, and members, visit nectchamber.com or follow the Chamber on Facebook and Instagram.