New Park Ave & Fenn Rd Day! Children's Champion Award and WBDC grants

August 1, 2025


 

 

Two more stops at businesses in the 20th District! It was great to visit and connect with several businesses for New Park Ave Day and Fenn Road Day. These visits brought me insight into the vibrant businesses in our community.

New Park Ave. Day:

Impressive fitness options with cross fit plus with Erik at Viking Athletics 
A special creative community for ceramics at Junk Pot Studio with Pedro
Seeing all of the care for the dogs every day at Planet Bark 

Fenn Road Day:

Delicious lunch to go from Shah's Halal Food 
A thriving family businesses since 1937 at Omar Coffee - many thanks to Nick for the company history and feedback on how we can best support the future workforce
Seeing all of the incredible craftsmanship at Zavarella Woodworking and hear about their latest commercial business growth and going green with solar
 
 

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Recently, I was honored to receive a 100% rating from the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV) for my 2025 voting record. We made significant advancements this session towards climate resiliency and clean energy. I am ready to keep fighting for our planet and a cleaner and healthier future for generations to come. 

Also, last week I joined Governor Lamont to announce the first deposit of $300 million into the new Early Childhood Education Endowment established into law. This investment is a down-payment on fulfilling our commitment to bring down costs of child care for families and increasing pay and benefits for early childhood educators. 
 
Watch my full remarks here:  
 

I also received a special Children's Champion Award from the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance at Southfield Children's Center in Newington. 

This recognition means so much to come from an organization leading the way on childcare for over 20 years. I will keep working hard to ensure that every child and family across Connecticut has access to high-quality and affordable early care and education.
 

New regulations will take effect for some electric bikes, or e-bikes, on October 1. The new law pertains to E-bikes without pedals and with batteries over 750 watts. They will be classified as motor-driven cycles and require a driver's license to operate them. E-bikes exceeding 3,500 watts will require registration and insurance, like motorcycles.
 

E-bikes are gaining popularity but medical professionals are warning that these bikes can be dangerous. Connecticut Children's Medical Center treated 25 e-bike injuries in May and June 2025, compared to three in May and June 2024.
Here’s what parents and kids need to know about riding e-bikes in Connecticut:

  • Speed limits matter: Class 2 e-bikes (the ones with a throttle) are capped at 20 mph. Class 3 models can go up to 28 mph—but only if they’re not throttle-powered
  • No passengers unless built for two: Most e-bikes aren’t designed for a second rider
  • Stay off the sidewalk: Unless otherwise posted, e-bikes are considered vehicles. They belong on the road, in the right lane
  • Be courteous and cautious: If riding on sidewalks or shared paths, yield to pedestrians
  • New in 2025: Class 1 e-bikes are now allowed on bikes and multi-use trails statewide, unless a town says otherwise.

For more information visit here.
 

STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES

July 26th marked the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We celebrate this milestone in the fight for equity, access, and inclusion. This landmark civil rights law, signed in 1990, protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in various areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and access to public services. 

The ADA Coalition of CT has a number of tools and resources to learn more and get involved. Let’s continue working to ensure Connecticut is a place where everyone can thrive, without barriers.
 

House of Heroes is a Veteran’s non-profit that helps Veterans and/or their spouses with simple home repairs, free of charge. They are currently in search of Veterans within the Hartford County area for service projects over the next few months.

If you know of a Veteran who could use this assistance, I highly encourage you to apply as their sponsor at https://www.hohct.org/veterans.

The basic requirements for the Veteran receiving the assistance is:

  • Be a Military or Public Safety Veteran or their spouse (DD 214 Discharge paperwork required)
  • Need financial and / or physical assistance with home repair
  • Own and occupy the home to be repaired
 

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has announced the next round of their Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs. The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow.

The program offers:

  • Grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million

Since the start of the program, 424 grants of over $3.9 million have been distributed to women-owned businesses in Connecticut.  The application period for this grant runs from August 5 through September 16.

Click here for more information on Ignite.

The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses.

The program offers:

  • Grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand

Since this program was launched in 2020, nearly $8.4 million has been awarded to child care businesses in every corner of Connecticut. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from August 1 through August 31.

Click here for more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.