Conferences set on state job, tax incentives for employers

The state Department of Labor will hold free employer conferences throughout May and June for Connecticut business owners interested in learning about state job and tax incentives. Events will take place in eight cities, including Westport and Danbury.

The conferences will discuss hiring incentives, tax credits and how to bid on state contracts and low-interest financing opportunities, according to a state press release. The conference will also provide talks on the state’s Subsidized Training and Employment Program (Step Up), the Small Business Express program, how to find and recruit qualified employees, how to become a state vendor, and tax incentives for equipment upgrades, among other topics.

All of the conferences will be held from 8 to 10:30 a.m. with registration beginning at 7 a.m. They will take place on the following dates at these locations.

Thursday: The Westport Inn Ballroom, 1595 Post Road East, Westport.
June 3: DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Bristol, The Oaks Ballroom, 42 Century Drive, Bristol.
June 5: Western Connecticut State University, Westside Campus Center Ballroom, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury.
June 11: Goodwin College, Main Campus Auditorium, 1 Riverside Drive, East Hartford.
June 12: University of Connecticut, Torrington Campus Auditorium, 855 University Drive, Torrington.
June 19: Simsbury High School Auditorium, 34 Farms Village Road, Simsbury.
June 24: Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich.
June 26: Four Points by Sheraton, 275 Research Parkway, Meriden.

The governor, secretary of state, lieutenant governor, state Department of Labor, regional workforce investment boards, the state Department of Economic and Community Development, and the state Department of Administrative Services are among the sponsors.

“The Labor Department is pleased to work in partnership with so many outstanding individuals, organizations and agencies to offer these information-packed events geared toward increasing an employer”™s bottom line while creating jobs and offering opportunities to keep companies competitive,” said Sharon M. Palmer, Department of Labor commissioner, in a statement.