Newtown's Economic Dev. Commission is dedicated to supporting and encouraging business growth

Located in northeastern Fairfield County along I-84 the town of Newtown's access to transportation options includes I-84, major state roads and commuter and freight rail. CT Routes 6, 25, 34 and 302 provide excellent transportation access to lower Fairfield and New Haven Counties by way of I-95. These corridors offer ease of access for workers, services and for shipment of goods to and from their markets. Newtown does not share the same peak congestion woes found in lower Fairfield and Westchester Counties and has been fortunate to attract companies who recognize the benefits of this infrastructure. The newly completed Rte. 7 extension has dramatically reduced travel time for northern Fairfield County. Land is readily available for commercial and industrial development at I-84 interchanges 9, 10 and 11. In addition recent moves have opened up space at some prime real estate locations making various building types available for immediate occupancy. Permits for the Newtown Technology Park at exit 10 have been filed and the Fairfield Hills Campus at exit 11 still has prime space available for lease. The Newtown Economic Development Commission and I are optimistic that the recent increase in activity in land use permitting will be followed by construction and new business openings. Plans for new commercial, industrial and flex space buildings are underway while recent business openings at Plaza South on South Main St. (Rte. 25) have been celebrated and where leasing for a third building in the 68,000 s/f neighborhood shopping center is close to completion. The commission rolled out a new web site www.newtown.org this spring to support anticipated activity as local businesses expand and others make Newtown their new home. The website and branding project are key elements in the commission's strategy to stimulate business growth and development in Newtown, Conn. In addition, the commission has a number of active subcommittees that interface one-on-one with established and potential businesses. The web site also provides the tools necessary to learn more about available commercial real estate and the local business climate. Links to CERC's Site Finder allows visitors to search for properties in Newtown and provides information on the labor force, housing, consumer spending and other demographic information needed to help make business location decisions. Our innovative strategies are increasingly being used by businesses that seek a community with a pro-business attitude and by other towns in Connecticut. The selection of available commercial real estate in Newtown ranges from various buildings in Sandy Hook Center where restaurants, offices, retail shops and residential projects are working together to revitalize this quaint historic hamlet to the land in the Newtown Technology Park and space at the Fairfield Hills Campus. Plans for a new branch for Newtown Savings Bank will be a wonderful addition to this area. The Hawleyville section near exit 9 has several projects ready to go and the Borough of Newtown continues to attract new investment including Dr. Joseph Young who will be expanding his family eye care practice into a larger office building on Church Hill Rd. Another 6,400 s/f office building on Church Hill Rd. (Rte. 6) is available for new tenants and would make a nice location for medical uses. Walgreens has filed final plans for a new 15,000 s/f pharmacy on South Main St. The site has existing structures that will be removed and some site grading will be necessary for the proposed building. Land use approvals are in place. The fit out for the Pacific Asian Bistro & Hibachi Restaurant at the Highland Plaza on South Main St. is near completion. The 6,100 s/f restaurant will join Snap Fitness, Nanavaty, Nanavaty & Davenport Certified Public Accountants and the Highland Storage Co. at the center. Newtown's Economic Development Commission I are dedicated to supporting and encouraging business growth in town and are only a phone call or mouse-click away! We will help you get your business up and running as quickly as possible in the perfect Newtown location and welcome the opportunity to show you how Newtown can help your bottom line. Elizabeth Stocker, AICP, is the director of economic and community development, town of Newtown, Conn.