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EDC members plan Parents Night Out promotion, networking event and set 2026 priorities
Summary
Commissioners discussed promoting Parents Night Out with flyers to MES and MMS virtual backpacks, a proposed business networking event to encourage collaborations and prioritized business visits, recruitment and coordination with UConn and the NE CT Chamber for 2026.
At the Mansfield Economic Development Commission’s virtual meeting, Chair Dwight Codr outlined plans to promote the Community Center’s Parents Night Out program. Staff member Steve Ferrigno said a flyer will be distributed to parents via MES and MMS virtual backpacks to publicize the program.
Linnea Nikitas, who introduced herself as the newest EDC member, offered to promote Taste 2 Towns at her floral business and described prior collaborations with local restaurants. Ferrigno described a planned networking event that would include ice-breakers and "match-making" activities to pair businesses for collaborative offerings; Sarah Dufresne expressed support for marketing efforts that target customers beyond the student population. Codr suggested including support for local tradespeople operating from home in future outreach.
Commissioners reviewed broader priorities for 2026, including business visits, business recruitment and further coordination with the University of Connecticut and the NE CT Chamber of Commerce. Discussion of IT ecosystems was tabled in the absence of Commissioner Amar Verma. Gail Zaicek said she supports business visits as a top priority. Two staff follow-ups were recorded: staff will provide event signage for display at Rooted Dreams and will follow up on possible dates for a networking event at Hops 44.
