Key Points:
- Wilton’s Economic Development Commission is exploring how AdvanceCT can help attract new businesses and support existing ones.
- AdvanceCT works with local partners like the EDC to connect both large and small businesses with state resources and workforce assistance, prioritizing key sectors: advanced manufacturing (including ASML), clean energy, financial services, insurance, life sciences and technology — but typically not hospitality or retail.
- Commissioners are also preparing Wilton Wellness Week following Restaurant Weeks and completing an updated town marketing brochure.
Why It Matters: As an all-volunteer board with essentially no budget, the EDC can leverage AdvanceCT’s staff, expertise and connections, driving efforts to keep Wilton businesses thriving.
AdvanceCT is offering Wilton’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) help to attract businesses, support existing employers and connect them with state resources.
Thomas Hyde, chief of staff for the nonprofit, outlined those services at the EDC’s Sept. 23 meeting. AdvanceCT works to attract businesses to Connecticut and to help existing businesses grow through a public-private partnership with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), private sector businesses, and local partners like the EDC.
Hyde’s discussed how the EDC could tap AdvanceCT’s expertise to enhance economic development efforts in Wilton.
An Overview
A large part of AdvanceCT’s work, Hyde said, is helping businesses identify, understand and navigate the myriad available state resources.
“It’s not easy as a business leader or CEO to figure out how the state can be helpful,” Hyde said. “A lot of the time we’re just helping companies understand and organizing the resources the state has to offer — putting them in front of them so they can make a decision.”
AdvanceCT approaches businesses proactively, targeting businesses in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, financial services, insurance, life sciences and technology. He said AdvanceCT can assist both large and small companies.
AdvanceCT also relies on partners like Wilton’s EDC or elected officials to facilitate local introductions when specific economic development issues arise, such as helping a manufacturing business evaluate potential locations or expand a facility.
Hyde said he welcomed any invitation by the EDC to assist Wilton businesses wherever it could add value, though he noted AdvanceCT generally does not work in hospitality or retail sectors.
Commissioner Marty Avallone requested AdvanceCT marketing materials to share on EDC social media to raise awareness of the organization among Wilton businesses.
Workforce as a Competitive Edge
Hyde emphasized that Connecticut’s educated and skilled workforce is a key competitive strength for towns like Wilton.
“Workforce specifically, I think, is the number one area where we’re able to compete on,” he said.
However, Hyde also noted employers often don’t know how to access the particular talent they need.
“What we continuously find is [business leaders] struggle to understand the state workforce resources,” Hyde said. “They don’t really have an understanding of who do they call, or what is that first step… And that’s where we’ve been finding a lot of success recently.”
Two years ago, AdvanceCT hired a staff member dedicated to workforce matters, such as helping companies set up internship programs, and connecting them with local colleges and tech schools. Hyde said AdvanceCT also worked with Norwalk Community College to develop a curriculum to prepare a “pipeline” for ASML employees in the field of optics.
Advice for a Volunteer Commission
Hyde suggested one of the best ways the EDC can help local businesses is to help the navigate any local approval processes — such as planning and zoning, wetlands or fire marshal reviews — especially when they’re just opening.
“That’s where I’ve seen the most success,” Hyde told the EDC.
Hyde also acknowledged the limitations of the all-volunteer EDC, and urged commissioners to involve AdvanceCT in their efforts, saying such involvement “is something that will go a long way for you guys in your community.”
“Use me as a resource… we’re happy to be supportive,” Hyde said.
Restaurant/Wellness Weeks Update
The Sept. 23 EDC meeting also included discussion on Wilton Restaurant Weeks, which was underay at the time (Sept. 21–Oct. 4).
EDC Chair Joe Favarolo highlighted the event’s social media, specifically remarking on the “tremendous number of views” on Instagram and posts in local Facebook groups.
Favarolo said the event’s success would be measured not only by increased restaurant traffic, but also the lasting impact of “getting the word out there” about Wilton restaurants.
Commissioner Phil Fitzgerald suggested informally requesting feedback from participating restaurants for any key takeaways that could help with planning for Wilton Wellness Week, which commissioners said could kick off as soon as Nov. 8.
Responding to an email from GOOD Morning Wilton after Restaurant Weeks concluded, Favarolo said he believed the program had “clearly succeeded” and was already looking forward to the EDC’s next event.
“Now that everyone has had their fill, the EDC is shifting gears to Wellness Week, featuring special offers from local wellness businesses,” he wrote. “After two weeks of dining out, the timing could not be better to work off those extra calories and indulge in a different kind of self-care.”
The EDC is encouraging Wilton wellness businesses — broadly defined as self-care, fitness or otherwise related to well-being — to contact the commission to learn more about participating.
More EDC News
- Jesse Welsh, founder of The Welsh Burton Group, shared an overview of her business which offers strategic marketing, business strategy and communications. Welsh recently returned to Wilton after having grown up here, and hopes to become more involved in the local community through her business.
- The EDC is making final copy edits, photo selections and other finishing touches for its updated 40 Things We Love About Wilton digital brochure, which is being renamed Wilton: Where You Belong. Upon completion, Favarolo plans to present the new marketing tool to the Board of Selectmen.
- Wilton resident Edinam Cudjoe attended the Sept. 23 EDC meeting and spoke briefly during the public comment portion of the meeting. [Editor’s note: Cudjoe was appointed to fill an open position on the commission at the Board of Selectmen’s Oct. 5 meeting.]
- The EDC approved its 2027 regular meeting calendar. The EDC generally meets the third Wednesday evening of each month. All meeting notices will be posted on the Town website.
