Leap Year edition
“Leap, and the net will appear” ~ John Burroughs
LOCAL
SMALL BUSINESS SEMINARS: Business Planning and Financing
Our small business seminar series continues, co-hosted by Newtown Savings Bank, on March 13th from 12 noon to 1:15pm in room 205 of the Southbury Town Hall, located at 501 Main Street South. The seminar and lunch are free with registration at www.southbury-ct.org/Small-Business-Seminars.
GRAND OPENING: VSG – Vicinanza Studios & Gallery
A ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, March 1st at 11:30am and a full weekend of activities are planned. Located at 493 Heritage Rd., Suite 4C in Heritage Village. Details at https://vicinanza-studios.com.
NEW BUSINESS OPENING: Maxx 365 Fitness & Recovery
Southbury’s newest fitness center opens its doors at 730 Main Street South on Friday, March 1st.
Stop in or visit Maxx 365 studios to learn more.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: Newbury Place
Newbury Place at 41 Oak Tree Road is celebrating 4 years of new ownership and 17 years as the area’s hidden gem and destination gift shop, with a weekend of special offerings and events! Info: https://newburyplace.com.
MARCH 2024 ARTS & CULTURE CALENDAR
350th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
350th Anniversary Commemorative Book - A Year of Celebration
A sixty-page, full color souvenir book has been published to commemorate the Town of Southbury’s 350th Anniversary year-long celebration. The book, full of pictures, history, congratulatory letters from the President of the United States, and more, is available while supplies last. All proceeds benefit the Southbury Historical Society. To learn more, visit www.southbury-ct.org/350-book.
350th Community Cookbook
The Arts & Culture Subcommittee of the Southbury Economic Development Commission asked Southbury residents for their family recipes and to include a brief story about the recipe and images. This cookbook is the result, available for purchase in print at the Town Clerk’s office, while supplies last. Learn more at www.southbury-ct.org/350-cookbook.
SOUTHBURY CHAMBER – Wake Up Your Business
Southbury Chamber's monthly networking series meets every 3rd Friday morning from 8:00am to 9:00am at Calvary Southbury 354 Kettletown Rd. Register here for March 15th.
NON-PROFIT FUNDRAISER: Sponsors Needed!
The Tribury Rotary is holding a Pickleball Tournament on April 20th from 9:00am – 5:00pm at Ballantine Park. Tickets are $45.00 and proceeds raised will go to the Tribury Rotary Foundation and Southbury Needy Fund. Sponsorships are available. Contact Mary Griffin at mgriffin@trpaul.com or Linda at 203.304.2910. For more info visit Tournament.
‘DUNE Part Two’ OPENS TOMORROW in SOUTHBURY
At Riverview Cinemas located at 690 Main St South. Buy online at: Buy Tickets
FEDERAL
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness Process
The U.S. SBA has announced expanded flexibility and accommodations for PPP Loans of $150,000 and under.
- PPP borrowers in default will receive a 60-day goodwill exemption period ending March 3, 2024.
- You must comply by bringing your loan current OR applying for forgiveness by the March 3rd deadline otherwise your loan will be slated for Treasury referral.
- Be mindful of the March 3rd deadline
- Apply here: Forgiveness request
GRANTS
- The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced that applications for the Ignite grant, formerly known as the Equity Match Grant, are now being accepted! Deadline to apply March 14, 2024. According to the WBDC, the "ignite grant provides a groundbreaking opportunity for Connecticut women-owned businesses. Since 2020, WBDC has provided grants totaling more than $2.5M to 276 women-owned businesses in every county in the state." The program offers grants between $2,500 and $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth, and its profitability. Applications are being accepted now! For more info, go to the Ignite page of the WBDC website.
- The FedEx Small Business Grant opens this Friday, March 1. Over $230,000 in grants and services will be awarded to 10 U.S.-based small businesses. Check your eligibility and get more details about how to apply before April 1, 2024, here: FedEx Grants.
- The Skip $10k Perseverance Grant celebrates the grit and determination of small business owners. Entrepreneurs and small business owners of all stages of business are encouraged to apply. The deadline is March 31.
More grant & program information can be found here.
BUSINESS BITES
- My employee wants a bigger raise than she earned, and 3 other workplace dilemmas.
- Why many businesses don’t grow as much as they should. The invisible trap.
SOUTHBURY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT