Regional Chamber Offering Local Coronavirus Resources To Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — (From We Work For Health CT): Across the state, many local Hamden businesses organizations and non-profits have been forced to find new ways to connect with their members as in-person events that once filled their calendars have been postponed indefinitely. The traditional practices of networking, special events and annual meetings are no longer feasible in a time of social distancing.

That is why many local organizations like the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce have quickly adjusted their mission and quickly embraced a new virtual-based approach to serving their members and providing much needed services. The Chamber has created a series of critically important online webinars and resources about essential COVID-19 related information to keep their local Hamden businesses informed and engaged.

“We know that many of our members are struggling to keep their businesses open and trying to keep employees on the payroll,” said Garrett Sheehan the President & CEO of the Chamber. “Here at the Greater New Haven Chamber, we’re doing everything we can to provide local businesses with the latest information on programs that they can access to help stay afloat during this challenging time.”

Some of the recent webinars hosted by GNHCC included “Understanding the Coronavirus” with Dr. Steven Choi of Yale New Haven Health on keeping employees and customers safe and. “Inside the State's Virus Response” with Connecticut’s Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe. The chamber has also provided important updates to local businesses about what is happening in Washington by hosting webinars with United States Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.

These types of information forums have proven invaluable to Hamden small businesses and non-profits. Each event has provided important strategies and tools about how to navigate through this public health crisis. Webinars have become a business lifeline where local Hamden merchants and businesses can connect directly with our elected leaders, medical professionals, and state government leaders.

“Times like this are when Chambers of Commerce are most needed,” Sheehan explained. “We are able to stay open and provide assistance because of the support of the business community through the years and now more than ever it’s our mission to support these businesses.”

Another benefit of the Greater New Haven Chambers’ approach has been an increase in collaboration with other organizations. As a member of “We Work for Health Connecticut,” one of fourteen national bioscience state chapters, the Chamber and WWFH-CT have been able to share timely national and state information about Covid-19, small business relief programs, state-based program and other important programs available to Hamden businesses and non-profits.

This collaboration and information sharing is a great example of how organizations are working together to help small businesses and non-profits navigate this economic and public health crisis and continue to serve their communities.

This press release was produced by the We Work For Health CT. The views expressed here are the author’s own.