Black Business Month, Lead Free CT, and more

August 9, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

August is Black Business Month! It's the perfect time to recognize and support Black-owned businesses for their vital contributions to the economy. Make a conscious effort to shop from these businesses, whether it's retail, restaurants, or services. Share your experiences on social media, use hashtags like #BlackBusinessMonth, and leave positive reviews to boost their visibility.

Below you will find a list of some of the many black-owned businesses in New Haven:

Black-Owned Businesses in New Haven

You can also help black businesses by attend local events or online panels celebrating Black entrepreneurs, and consider collaborations if you're a business owner. Donations and investments in Black-owned startups are another great way to show support. Educate yourself and others about the challenges Black entrepreneurs face to foster a more supportive community. Let's celebrate and uplift Black entrepreneurs, not just in August but year round!

The Connecticut Department of Public Health just launched a great new campaign called Lead Free CT! The goal of the program is to protect children from the harmful health impacts of lead and create a lead-free Connecticut.

Key objectives of the program include:

Making older homes where children or pregnant people live lead safe
Collecting information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut
Replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools
Supporting families who find lead in their home or water
Offering funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free
Having all Connecticut children tested for lead
Raising awareness of lead testing and safety among parents
Educating communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety

To learn more, visit LeadFreeCT.org

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 18 and runs through Saturday, August 24. It provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax-Free Week, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.

During this tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.