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Small Business
WNPR’s small business coverage elevates understanding of the challenges faced by small business, educates policy-makers, and highlights the vital role of small business to the state’s economy.

Bells Ringing Once Again In Belltown

Connecticut Public Radio | By Harriet Jones
Published October 3, 2012 at 11:08 AM EDT
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http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Chion/matt%20bevin%20for%20harriet.mp3

Matthew Bevin returned to his family's historic bell making business in 2008. It was running at a loss, and Matt's uncle was about to sell the last bell factory in East Hampton.  Bevin, who is a serial entrepreneur in his own right, turned the business around within a year. In 2010 and 2011, Bevin Brothers, a 180 year old five-generation family business, turned a profit. 

Then three months ago the company suffered what seemed like a fatal blow. Its historic factory was reduced to a charred ruin in a fire that was thought to have been started by a lightning strike. Bevin vowed then to rebuild. Within the last few weeks he has made good on that promise -- bells are once again being made in East Hampton.

WNPR's Harriet Jones went to meet with Matt Bevin.
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Harriet Jones
Harriet Jones is Managing Editor for Connecticut Public Radio, overseeing the coverage of daily stories from our busy newsroom.
See stories by Harriet Jones

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

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