Western REN Launches Community Connection – First Stop: Barrington

At the Western REN, we believe strong relationships start with showing up. That’s why we’re launching Community Connection — a new outreach initiative designed to bring our team out of the office and directly into the communities we serve.

Our first stop will be the Barrington Regional Library on Thursday, August 21^st from 10 am to 4 pm.

For one full day, the Western REN team will be available in a central, public location where business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members can drop in, ask questions, and explore how we can support their goals.

But Community Connection goes beyond a simple drop-in. Throughout the day, our staff will also be visiting local businesses, holding one-on-one meetings, and engaging face-to-face with the people who drive our regional economy.

What can we talk about?

Community Connection is your opportunity to connect with us on a wide range of programs and initiatives, including:

• BusinessNow Support – helping businesses navigate challenges and opportunities.
• Continuous Improvement (CI) – tools to streamline operations and strengthen competitiveness.
• Business Transition (BT) – support for succession planning and futureproofing.
• Workforce Support – connections and resources to support newcomers and community integration.
• Digital Transformation & AI Programs – preparing businesses for the future of technology.
• Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades Programs – linking apprentices to Skilled Journeypersons to build the next generation of talent.
• Get Side-Tracked – linking businesses to new tourism opportunities on the Dark Sky T’Railway.
• …and whatever you would like to discuss.

Why it matters

Western REN is here to work for you — and with you. By meeting businesses and community members where you are, we hope to make our programs more accessible, build stronger relationships, and better understand the opportunities and challenges across our region.

Let’s Connect in Barrington

Where: Barrington Regional Library
When: Thursday, August 21, 10 AM – 4 PM

We invite you to drop in, have a conversation, and learn how Western REN can support your business.

Would you like us to visit your business while we’re in town? Email us in advance to arrange a meeting.

We are excited to connecting with you in Barrington – and in more communities across the Western Region in the months ahead.