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Stocker was appointed to her position in August by Mayor Harry Rilling. She previously worked for Norwalk as an assistant planner from 1985 to 1990. After that she served as Newtown’s director of economic and community development.
Since returning to Norwalk, she has worked to reach out to businesses and develop relationships with business owners. She has also spearheaded a new action group to create an Economic Development Action Plan. That plan, which is near completion, will outline steps the city can take to continue to bring new businesses in.
“We want to continue to make Norwalk an attractive community for major corporations, as well as smaller businesses, residents and visitors,” Stocker said.
Part of that goal is to continue to focus on core business areas such as South Norwalk, Wall Street, and the Merritt 7 complex. These areas have seen a great deal of development in recent years, with still more development planned.
The city will also be sending out a request for proposals on a new rebranding initiative to emphasize its assets as an ideal location for businesses. Stocker says that among the city’s biggest assets are its accessibility to various forms of transportation such as I-95, Route 7, the Merritt and Metro-North, as well as its proximity to the shoreline and its vibrant downtown area. She said it’s important that the city ensure that its transportation infrastructure is maintained and kept in top shape.
“I think as long as there’s activity here and that vibrancy, we’ll continue to attract younger residents who enjoy living and working here, as well as our recreation,” she said.
She has been speaking with business owners through meetings at the Chamber of Commerce, as well as through a small business seminar the city put together in the fall. Stocker has been working with them to help them understand the impact of the 95/7 mall project, as well as other concerns ranging from getting streetlights replaced to updates on major road renovations.
“For the most part I think they’re in agreement that we’re a business-friendly community, and that we will listen, take action and address their concerns,” she said.
She encourages people who are looking to open a business or thinking about moving to Norwalk to give her a call. She said she has received quite a few phone calls requesting information already, and that she has been able to point them in the right direction.
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