POMFRET CENTER — The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce will present “Coffee with the ‘Commish’,” an information breakfast meeting featuring Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith.

The event is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Grill 37 on Putnam Road. 

Cost to attend is $16 per person for Chamber members. Not-yet Chamber members are welcome to attend at $20 per person. Reservations can be made by phone (860) 774-8001, email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), fax (860) 774-4299, or by website (nectchamber.com/events). 

Smith was appointed to her position in April of 2011. Since taking the position, Commissioner Smith has spearheaded a variety of programs to generate economic activity and expand business across Connecticut. She orchestrated the creation of the Small Business Express program and the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, as well as securing funding for the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund. She also coordinated the agreements that brought Jackson Laboratory to the state and re-committed UTC to Connecticut.

Commissioner Smith is expected to discuss the benefits of the state’s economic development strategy as well as how the state can assist businesses to further expand and grow.