EDC Assessing Newtown’s Business ‘Sizzle’

There is a saying that you don’t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle. But the Newtown Economic Development Commission (EDC) is launching an initiative to assess Newtown’s commercial steak and sizzle.

The outcome, commissioners hope, will gauge attitudes and opinions among existing and prospective businesses throughout town.

The project will also help the commission identify resources and services that the town provides or may provide for local businesses.

An initial phase of the project will create a unique, comprehensive database of some 2,000 commercial entities in the community. Listings will include large and small retailers, restaurants, service outlets, manufacturers, and hundreds of home-based businesses.

Centered on an online survey and in-person interviews with a cross-section of business owners, the work is geared to identify perceived and genuine concerns. It will also reveal what businesses believe to be the town’s strongest attributes.

In a separate effort, businesses that have left town will also be contacted for opinions.

“This initiative builds on our ongoing live interviews with representative businesses,” said Robert Rau, Economic Development Commission chairman. “We want a better handle on the opinions and needs of local businesses, and to improve resources available to them.”

EDC has retained a local firm, The WriteDesign Company, LLC, to support the effort with database and survey design, results assessment and communication. The company has been owned and operating in Newtown for 20 years, and serves a mix of corporations, civic groups, and trade organizations.

Survey dates will be announced to businesses soon through email blasts and news statements. And Mr Rau said results will be shared on the EDC website and with local media.

The Newtown Economic Development Commission is a town board comprising nine volunteer members appointed to staggered terms by the first selectman, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen. The EDC’s mission is to be an advocate for business and to facilitate orderly planned economic development consistent with the character of the town.