Somers Lawmaker Holding Conference to Inform Employers of Hiring Incentives

A group of state lawmakers from North Central Connecticut, including Somers, will be holding a conference next week to help inform employers of hiring incentives and other opportunities to benefit their businesses.

The event is called the Subsidized Training and Employment Program (Step Up) Conference, and it's being put on by state Sen. John A. Kissel (R-Enfield/Somers), Rep. David Alexander (D-Enfield) and State Representative David Kiner (D-Enfield).

Topics to be discussed include a variety of business incentives including six month wage reimbursement and training grants, low interest financing under the Small Business Express Program, job expansion tax credits, and a 130 percent wage reimbursement for new hires.

The conference will be held at Asnuntuck Community College, 170 Elm St., Enfield, and the registration starts at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The conference runs from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

“We are excited that more than 200 employers will be in attendance and we hope even more turn out for this event,” Kissel said. “Please spread the word to friends and associates.  Urge them to stop by.  The information you receive at this conference can help your business grow and thrive.”

"Our Step Up Conference is designed for our employers to learn about the variety of job program incentives and other opportunities that are available businesses on our area of the state to help hire qualified workers and grow their businesses," Rep. Alexander said. "We are reaching out to help local businesses achieve their goals and to have their questions answered by the appropriate state officials and representatives of sponsoring organizations. In addition, we are reaching out to those who can help our returning veterans to obtain jobs after they have contributed so much in behalf of all of us.”

"I highly encourage small businesses in the Enfield area to sign up and participate in this event," Kiner said. "It is a great opportunity to learn about what support is out there to help your small business thrive. I am pleased to see that we already have 100 businesses signed up."

Enfield’s legislators will host the event which is sponsored by Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board and other community partners.

The above information came from a press release.