Bethel’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) has officially hired a part-time Economic Development Director, Janis Chrzescijanek, to oversee the town’s development, from existing businesses to new shops and industry coming to town.
In the past, the EDC has largely been focused on the development of the Francis J. Clarke Commercial Park, though the town charter gives the commission a much larger scope.
“The last five to seven years has been stable, it’s reached a certain maturity,” EDC Chairman Michael Boyle said Monday. “Particularly coming off the [economic downturn], we need to make an investment in the town and get a handle on the current situation — who’s here — and attract new business.”
Boyle said the EDC and ad-hoc Economic Outreach Commission (EOC) did an extensive search over four months, finally landing on Chrzescijanek, a Bethel resident with a deep business background and strong ties to the community.
“She, in a unique way, can allow us to grow the town,” he said.
Read more about Chrzescijanek's take on the new position here.
The part-time position will work out of town hall and report directly to the First Selectman and EDC. The position pays $34,000 a year, with approximately 50 percent of that coming from the EDC’s budget, separate from town funds.
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