Essex EDC schedules Sept. 17 networking breakfast, plans outreach with Board of Trade
July 08, 2026 | Essex, Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut
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The Essex Economic Development Commission approved a Meet & Greet/Networking Breakfast for Thursday, Sept. 17 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and discussed outreach measures to encourage attendance and gather business feedback.
Carey Duques, the town's planning and zoning liaison, confirmed she will present a five- to 10-minute "State of the Town" at the event. Commissioners set an RSVP cap of 100 and discussed leaving suggestion postcards by the food and promoting the event through the Valley Courier and Essex Events; the Essex Board of Trade was invited to post the announcement on social media.
Commissioners reviewed local vacancies and recent openings as context for outreach: a dance studio at 10 Bokum Road; vacant storefronts at 28 Main Street, 3 Essex Square and 108 Main Street in Ivoryton; the former package-store site in Centerbrook may become a fireplace store; Brickside Pizza is open and a bakery has not yet opened at another location. The commission agreed to defer door-to-door visits to businesses until after the breakfast.
New-business outreach was raised by Cheryl Harder, president of the Essex Board of Trade, who said the EDC should increase marketing efforts to bring visitors and customers to town. Chair Brian Weinstein proposed printing several hundred invitations and personally delivering some to larger local institutions such as Essex Bank, Essex Corinthian, the Essex Yacht Club and the Essex Library.
The EDC plans to finalize the invitation list and request RSVPs to manage capacity. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Carey Duques, the town's planning and zoning liaison, confirmed she will present a five- to 10-minute "State of the Town" at the event. Commissioners set an RSVP cap of 100 and discussed leaving suggestion postcards by the food and promoting the event through the Valley Courier and Essex Events; the Essex Board of Trade was invited to post the announcement on social media.
Commissioners reviewed local vacancies and recent openings as context for outreach: a dance studio at 10 Bokum Road; vacant storefronts at 28 Main Street, 3 Essex Square and 108 Main Street in Ivoryton; the former package-store site in Centerbrook may become a fireplace store; Brickside Pizza is open and a bakery has not yet opened at another location. The commission agreed to defer door-to-door visits to businesses until after the breakfast.
New-business outreach was raised by Cheryl Harder, president of the Essex Board of Trade, who said the EDC should increase marketing efforts to bring visitors and customers to town. Chair Brian Weinstein proposed printing several hundred invitations and personally delivering some to larger local institutions such as Essex Bank, Essex Corinthian, the Essex Yacht Club and the Essex Library.
The EDC plans to finalize the invitation list and request RSVPs to manage capacity. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
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