August Primary and Women-Owned Business Grant Opportunities

August 7, 2026

I hope this email finds you and your family well. Although their remarkable postseason run has come to an end, we celebrate the Bristol Girls Little League Softball Team for an outstanding and memorable season. Their hard work, determination, and sportsmanship made the entire community proud.

There is plenty to get to in the email below, so make sure to keep scrolling for more on:

  • Celebrating the Bristol Girls Softball Little League Team
  • August Primary
  • Minimum Wage Increase Coming
  • Women-Owned Business Grants
  • Manufacturing Job Opportunity
  • Community Events

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at any time.

 

The Bristol Girls Little League Softball Team's remarkable postseason run came to an end earlier this week, but their accomplishments have made the entire Bristol community incredibly proud. Their determination, teamwork, and resilience inspired fans throughout the summer and showcased the very best of youth sports.

From thrilling victories to unforgettable moments on the national stage, this team represented Bristol with talent, sportsmanship, and heart.

Congratulations to the players, coaches, families, and everyone who supported them throughout this incredible journey. It has truly been a summer to remember, and their achievements will inspire young athletes in our community for years to come.

 


Primary elections will take place on Tuesday, August 11, in municipalities where more than one candidate from the same political party has qualified for a particular office.

The primary will be preceded by seven days of early voting, through August 9. Early voting hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on August 7, 8, and 9.

In Connecticut, only registered members of a political party may vote in that party's primary. 

Connecticut has a semi-closed primary system. Unaffiliated voters who wish to vote in a primary must enroll in a political party by 12:00 p.m. on the day before the primary (August 10), provided they have been unaffiliated for at least three months.

Updating your party affiliation is one of the many changes voters can conveniently do online at https://ow.ly/Vmcn50Z38Qr.

For additional election information and resources, click here to visit the Secretary of the State's election webpage.

If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, you no longer need to provide a specific reason to request one for any primary or election.

Click here to access the absentee ballot request portal.

Connecticut's minimum wage will increase to $17.48 per hour on January 1, 2027, up from $16.94 per hour.

The increase is required under a 2019 state law that provides for annual adjustments to the minimum wage based on economic indicators from the previous fiscal year. By tying the minimum wage to changes in the economy, the law helps ensure that wages keep pace with the rising cost of living and changing economic conditions. 

The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) Ignite Grant offers up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in Connecticut for a clearly-defined project that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth, and profitability.

Since its launch in 2020, the program has provided grants of more than $4.8 million to 519 women-owned businesses in Connecticut. In the latest grant round, 50 Ignite grants totaling $476,787 were awarded.

The application period is open through September 13.

Click here to learn more about the Ignite Grant including dates and times of upcoming information sessions.

The WBDC Child Care Business Support Program, in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified child care providers across the state. These grants help licensed and aspiring home- and center-based child care businesses cover critical start-up costs, expand operations, and increase capacity to serve more families.

Since its inception in 2020, the program has provided over $9.4 million to child care providers across Connecticut. During the latest round, more than $600,000 in grants was distributed to 50 early childhood businesses.

Start-up grants can be up to $5,000 for family homes, $10,000 for group homes, and $25,000 for centers, while expansion grants of up to $25,000 can support growth goals that create additional slots and strengthen business sustainability.

The application period is open through August 31.

Click here to learn more about Child Care Opportunity Fund.

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 click here to register for a live information session.


Click here for more information on Skill Up for Manufacturing with Plastics and to apply.
 


The final FREE Weekly Summer Concert Series at Rockwell Park Amphitheater  (63 Dutton Avenue) is taking place on Tuesday, August 11 (Rain date: Wednesday, August 12) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 

The Bristol Bazaar is home to over 75 local makers, unique gifts, creative workshops, and Yellow King Bristol.

Shop small, support local and explore thousands of handmade treasures in our one-of-a-kind indoor market space. Open 6 days a week (67 Race Street), click here for more information.