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Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 11
In a few days, one of the biggest global sorts events will be kicking off in the U.S. – literally! And our region is a major player on the broad map of related activities and games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While many Newtown residents and businesses will be…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 10
We might be hearing the cliched call of ‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ a little more often in Connecticut in the next year or so – but chances are it will likely be within the city limits of Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford instead of here in Newtown. That’s because state lawmakers…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 9
SCHEDULING CHANGE: This workshop is being rescheduled to occur on two consecutive Saturday mornings – June 20 and 27 at the Newtown Municipal Center starting at 8:30am. Free light breakfast will now be included. Participants MUST agree to attending both sessions. Are you a business person, small business owner, or…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 8
The Newtown Bike & Trail Committee, in partnership with local volunteers, municipal partners, and my Economic & Community Development Office, is launching a community fundraising initiative recruiting “Rail-Trail-Blazer” donors. Individual participants are being asked to help raise the final $50,000 needed to complete the first phase of Newtown’s Pequonnock Rail…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 7
It’s been a few weeks since our last blog, which is a simple indication that the Economic & Community Development Office has been super busy. One of the myriad business support functions the ECD Office handles are scheduling and executing ribbon-cutting celebrations for Newtown residents and others who have invested…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 6
This week’s blog is going to briefly touch on a handful of subjects relevant to local businesses, and in particular for this first item – WOBs or Woman Owned Businesses. Newtown has hundreds of businesses large and small that are owned or led by women. So, if you are part…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 5
Artificial Intelligence (AI) looms large as an issue businesses large and small are addressing at varying capacities, and while AI is still vastly different things to different types of businesses, it is something everyone pretty much uniformly believes will be part of business operations and developments going forward. With questions…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 4
Submitted January 27 by Newtown ECD Director John Voket Business support and information is a big part of what Newtown’s Economic and Community Development (ECD) Dept. is all about. So in this edition of Discovering Views, I want to hit on a handful of resources I hope can be helpful…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 3
Submitted January 20, 2026 by Newtown ECD Director John Voket After well over two decades working in Newtown and volunteering countless hours from Relays For Life to the Ambulance Corps., from Salvation Army bell ringing to MCing numerous local fundraising events – all I can say from those experiences is:…
Developing Views 2026 – Vol. 2
Submitted January 13, 2026 by Newtown ECD Director John Voket It’s been a busy January so far for the Economic and Community Development (ECD) office. We learned that we qualified for no-cost assistance from the UCONN TAB (Technical Assistance for Brownfields) Municipal Assistance program for a project we hope to…
Welcome to our NEW blog: ‘Developing Views’
Submitted January 5, 2026 by Newtown ECD Director John Voket Newtown’s Dept. of Economic and Community Development is far from the first agency to launch new programs, activities, or other ventures during the early days of a new year – and we will certainly not be the last. So, here…
Public invited to learn about proposed Newtown Cultural District
The Newtown Office of Economic and Community Development (ECD), in partnership with the Newtown Arts Commission, and the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers is inviting Newtown residents to attend a public information session at 6 pm on Thursday, August 21 in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall. The…
Has your business or nonprofit been affected by federal actions?
Businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by recent actions from the federal government are being asked to report that information to the state so that it can be compiled into a central database and provide state policymakers with a better understanding of how these directives are affecting various groups,…
SHOP LOCAL! Small Business Week is May 4-10
While Newtown’s Economic and Community Development Office hopes folks are always thinking local (like we do!) when it comes to their shopping and service needs, National Small Business Week helps us shine an even brighter light on the hundreds of local businesses that are sustainably thriving thanks to your patronage. For…
It’s National Volunteer Month – put your expertise to work for good with SCORE
During April – National Volunteer Month – Newtown Economic and Community Development Dept. wants to recognize the many wonderful SCORE volunteers past and present, who have helped Newtown residents begin or enhance their local business journey. We are truly grateful for the time and energy each of them have invested in supporting SCORE clients,…
CT Age Well Collaborative honoring Newtown with ‘Wellspring Award’
In mid-April Newtown was notified that the community received the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative’s 2025 Wellspring Award for fostering community inclusivity for every age and every ability in Connecticut. The Wellspring Awards honors Connecticut-specific, community-based projects, initiatives and policies implemented within the past five years and/or with ongoing, meaningful, relevant community impact. Nominees promote…