The Economic Development Commission meeting in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, held on September 20, 2025, commenced with a warm welcome from Acting Chair Etta Zasloff. She introduced the commission, which had been inactive for 17 years before her involvement, and emphasized the need for community engagement in local governance.

Zasloff noted that the commission currently has six active members and is seeking to fill four additional seats. Interested residents were encouraged to apply through the town council. She highlighted the importance of participation in various town commissions, mentioning several vacancies across different committees, including the Affordable Housing Partnership and the Committee on Aging.

The meeting also addressed the establishment of a farmer's market, with Zasloff urging attendees to complete a survey to support this initiative. She mentioned the Wood River Village project, a community volunteer organization aimed at assisting older residents, which is in collaboration with neighboring towns.

Zasloff provided a rundown of the vacancies in town commissions, stressing the need for community involvement to address various local issues. She clarified that the Economic Development Commission serves an advisory role, focusing on gathering ideas from the community about future developments in Hopkinton.

Following her introduction, Michelle McCray, a commission member with a background in conservation, was invited to present. The meeting concluded with an invitation for community members to share their thoughts and ideas, reinforcing the commission's commitment to listening to residents' needs and aspirations for the town's growth. The meeting was recorded and will be available for viewing on the town's YouTube channel.