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Suffield EDC prioritizes helping restaurants, tasks staff to meet owners and promote specials
Summary
At its May 21 meeting the Suffield Economic Development Commission said helping local restaurants is its top priority; staff will meet owners to identify needs and the commission backed a trial events calendar and promotional push funded initially by a commissioner.
Chairman Gayle Demko said at the May 21 meeting of the Suffield Economic Development Commission that First Selectman Colin Moll identified helping the town’s restaurants generate more business as the commission’s top priority.
The commission asked Commissioner John McGuire and Economic Development Specialist Chad Kuzontkoski to meet with restaurant owners to assess needs and coordinate promotions and advertising support. Commissioner Jeff Girard offered to build a Suffield events calendar, a Facebook page and a newsletter and to fund the project’s first year; Girard said he and his staff have expertise and will report back to the commission as the project develops.
Kuzontkoski also described complementary marketing work: a smaller initial print run of a revised Suffield map brochure to distribute quickly and refine before a larger printing, and clearer communications for the town’s small-business passport promotion so participating merchants understand deadlines and how to submit entries.
The commission discussed signage needs for business promotion on the town green and at Babbs Road, and Demko said she is collecting proposals for picket‑fence style sign displays in those locations and at West Suffield. Kuzontkoski said he is awaiting a response from the Connecticut Department of Transportation about signs for the bike path in West Suffield.
Why it matters: The commission is focusing limited staff and private resources on quick, low‑cost promotional approaches — digital outreach, a smaller brochure run, clearer merchant communications and temporary signage — aimed at supporting downtown and neighborhood businesses while the group develops longer-term projects.
