Celebrating Norwalk by Westfair Business Journal

CELEBRATING NORWALK ADVERTORIAL RESOURCE GUIDE

SPONSORED BY

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | WESTCHESTER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | AUGUST 30, 2021

NORWALK: A VIBRANT COASTAL COMMUNITY AND THRIVING CITY ON THE MOVE

orwalk, Connecticut, is a vibrant coastal community and thriving city on the move. Rich in history and defined by diverse districts with charming neighborhoods, picturesque beachfronts and flourishing businesses, Norwalk continues to shine as a popular Fairfield County destination to live, work and play. To deliver this message and effectively reach a contemporary crowd in the digital domain, the city has launched a new tourism website and social media platform, Visit Norwalk, to introduce consumers and businesses to each of the unique and special things to find in Norwalk. It’s all about what makes Norwalk a special destination for experiencing what’s edible, nautical, cultural, educational and beautiful. Affectionately referred to as “Oyster Town” due to its deeply rooted history as a fishing harbor and waterway, Norwalk embraces its seaside prominence, instilling a strong and sustainable coastal environment and preserving Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The Norwalk Seaport Association and Maritime Aquarium, both integral components of the renaissance of South Norwalk (SoNo), are a driving force behind the city’s robust tourism industry. Popular Norwalk attractions include Sheffield Island Lighthouse and ferry rides; Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, a national registered historic landmark; Mill Hill Historic Park and Norwalk Historical Society; Stepping Stones Museum for Children, dedicated to early childhood education; historic Wall Street Theater; plus numerous nature hiking trails and year-round events that highlight Norwalk’s active art, entertainment, outdoor lifestyle, boating and dining scene. Through the progressive and active approach of Norwalk's Economic and Community Development team, the city remains steadfast in its on-going mission to enhance the quality of life for all residents, businesses and visitors, through a balanced and managed approach to growth, improvements and technical support. Visit Norwalk is the first business model of its kind in Fairfield County to offer free marketing, social media and public reB2

lations assistance to Norwalk restaurants, retailers, arts and entertainment venues, attractions and lifestyle businesses. It offers a cohesive and collaborative program designed to educate and support local business owners with their marketing endeavors. Urban renewal efforts throughout the city have never been healthier. New construction and the restoration of historic buildings are on the rise. Given Norwalk’s access to Metro-North, the city has seen tremendous transit-oriented growth in the urban center of South Norwalk. These new developments trend well with Norwalk’s flourishing restaurant scene, breweries and creative economy. Additionally, Building and Land Technology recently enhanced Norwalk’s Route 7 Corridor with the development of North 7, a sprawling mixed-use community with stunning modern amenities and sensibility. Renewal and urban redevelopment plans are also underway for the Wall Street and West Avenue neighborhoods that have

seen tremendous growth and change over the last decade, including 1,000 new apartments and 78,000 square feet of commercial space. Its neighborhood anchor institutions, including Norwalk Hospital, King Industries, Norwalk Public Library, Factory Underground and the Wall Street Theater, continue to foster an identity around art, science, technology, culture and health and wellness. New parking, zoning, construction and infrastructure are at the forefront of the city’s revitalization strategy for this historic neighborhood. The city of Norwalk also has three federally designated Opportunity Zones and an Enterprise Zone to spur investment and redevelopment within it urban core. The Opportunity and Enterprise Zones overlap with the South Norwalk (SoNo) and Historic Downtown (Wall Street and West Avenue) neighborhoods. Both businesses and property owners located within the three Opportunity Zones can benefit by garnering additional investor pools designated for these geog-

raphies. Investors can defer taxes on any prior capital gains invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund. These funds can be used to invest in real estate or businesses within the Opportunity Zones. All real property in the Enterprise Zone that is improved is eligible to have its real estate assessment fixed for a period of seven years from the time of the improvement. Manufacturing businesses are also eligible for exemptions throughout the city of Norwalk, not just in the specific Enterprise Zone geography, which exempts them from sales tax and some state taxes. Equipment and machinery personal property are tax-exempt in the city of Norwalk. Norwalk welcomes you to join our beautiful and evolving community. For more information, please contact Sabrina Church, director of Business Development & Tourism, city of Norwalk, at 203-8547948 or 203-939-2202 or email schurch@ norwalkct.org. Please also visit www.norwalkct.org and www.visitnorwalk.org to learn more. CELEBRATING NORWALK

AUGUST 30, 2021

Explore VisitNorwalk.org Visit Norwalk is all about what makes our City a special destination to experience what’s edible, nautical, cultural, educational, beautiful…you name it! We’re introducing visitors near and far to each of the unique and special things they’ll find in Norwalk as a great place to live, learn, work, and play. So, we invite you to explore! For more information, please contact Sabrina Church, Director of Business Development & Tourism, at (203) 854-7948 or (203) 939-2202, or email at schurch@norwalkct.org.

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CELEBRATING NORWALK

AUGUST 30, 2021

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The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Gala

A MANSION FOR THE AGES:

Celebrating Architecture & Design Featuring Award-winning Architect David Scott Parker, FAIA

October 16, 2021, 7 p.m.

Featuring the Exhibitions:

Health, Healing & Addiction in 19th Century America -