Norwalk for Business

Yesterday, Manresa Island Corp., a newly established nonprofit dedicated to transforming Norwalk's Manresa Island into a new public destination, announced its vision to turn the over 125-acre former industrial power plant site into a thriving publicly accessible park, unlocking 1.75 miles of its waterfront access for the first time in nearly 75 years. Anchored by a reimagined decommissioned coal-fired and oil-powered facility, the park will become a new public amenity in Norwalk with a stellar network of spaces that supports passive and active programming for people of all ages and abilities, revitalized ecological habitat and educational opportunities centered around water. This effort was made possible thanks to a private philanthropic investment from Austin McChord, Norwalk native and Founder of Datto, Connecticut's first unicorn startup, and his wife Allison McChord, Manresa Island Corp. who will acquire the site from Argent Ventures this fall. Manresa Island Park is projected to open in 2030 through phased development. This one-of-a-kind park will serve as a hub for learning, exploration and community engagement — offering year-round experiential programming including water activities, education, children's play areas and a university research component. By repurposing the existing power plant infrastructure, Manresa Island Corp.’s readapted 250,000 square foot vision for the space will offer an indoor experience like no other recreational hub. Spanning the size of about 117 football fields, the new publicly accessible park will have a network of outdoor areas to engage with the water and local habitat like never before. Manresa Island Corporation, in partnership with lead designer SCAPE, will host community meetings in early 2025. To learn more about the Manresa Island Corp. please visit their website at https://lnkd.in/eay672wz #CityofNorwalk #ManresaIslandPark #PublicPark #ThankyouAustinandAllison #ILoveNorwalk

We are excited to share that Norwalk made the ‘Best Towns in Connecticut List” according to Condé Nast Traveler Magazine! They feature six Connecticut towns and highlighted Norwalk’s diverse neighborhoods, popular local restaurants, the Maritime Aquarium, and our beautiful Norwalk Harbor! Also, earlier this year, Norwalk once again was ranked best places to live in the U.S. by livability.com. Norwalk is proud to continue to be recognized for its thriving arts and cultural programs, including our incredible libraries, museums, theaters, magnificent restaurants and bars, world-class schools, vibrant and thriving downtown areas, beautiful parks and coastal beaches, world-class transit system, walkability and biking, diversity, and high quality of life! You can learn more about why Norwalk made the best towns in CT list by visiting https://bit.ly/4gWrXEK. #ILoveNorwalk #BestTownsInCTList #CondéNastTravelerMagazine

Popular SoNo Restaurant Celebrates its 10th Anniversary New Ownership Recharges the Oishi Sushi & Izakaya Experience In 2014, Oishi Sushi and Izakaya introduced its Japanese restaurant concept to South Norwalk, further enhancing the eclectic dining scene in the Washington Street Historic District. Original owner Chris Chen opened this upscale sushi bar and Izakaya (Japanese pub) in 2014. He introduced locals to a more modern Japanese dining style, which included creative cocktails, local craft beer, Asian-inspired entrees, and house-made desserts. Oishi Sushi & Izakaya will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in October 2024, and it will do so with new owners at the helm. Seasoned Restaurateurs Vicky Gao, who also owns Osaka Restaurant in Queens, NY, and the team of Peter Lu and Hui Lin, who owns Chochosan Sushi and Hibachi and Chochosan Noodle House in Nanuet, NY, are carrying on the name and the stellar reputation Oishi has earned over the years and infusing their own enhanced menu and beverage elements from their joint year of experience in the Japanese restaurant space. Read more about Oishi's incredible dining experience here: https://bit.ly/3XEYm9J

Grand Opening Celebration for Performance Optimal Health on Wednesday, September 25, from 4:30 – 8:00 p.m., at 508 Westport Ave. Join Performance as they celebrate the brand evolution—a unique health experience at the new boutique club! The event will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m., followed by private tours and hors d'oeuvres until 8:00 p.m. At Performance Optimal Health, their mission is to help you live better through experts by addressing the four pillars of optimal health: exercise, recovery, nutrition, and stress management. RSVP and find more details at https://lnkd.in/eh76t2HH. @performanceoptimalhealth @cityofnorwalk @norwalk_ct #visitnorwalk #norwalkforbusiness #cityofnorwalk #norwalkct #performanceoptimalhealth #grandopening #newboutiquehealthclub #optimalhealth #exercise #recovery #nutrition #stressmanagement

🌟 Fur-iendly Networking Alert! 🌟 The Greater Norwalk Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Fur-iendly Networking Happy Hour! 🐾 Date: September 19th 🕕 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM 📍 Location: Caffe Social, 73 N. Main St. in Norwalk. @caffesocial 🔗Advanced registration required. Register at https://bit.ly/3yUkMM7. 👆 🎟️ FREE for GNHCC members (code was emailed)• $25 for Non-members WHAT TO EXPECT: Mix, mingle, and network with fellow professionals in a pet-friendly atmosphere! Bring your dog along or come solo—either way, you’re in for a paws-itively good time. 🐕✨Complimentary appetizers, lots of dog treats, vendors, and fun signature cocktails for the humans!🍹 🎁 Thay are also accepting dog food donations to help our furry friends in need. You can make a difference together! Don’t miss out on this unique networking opportunity. Save the date!🐶🐾 SPONSORSHIP & DOG VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE! Email [email protected], if interested. ✨ @norwalk_hispanic_chamber @cityofnorwalk @norwalk_ct #NorwalkforBusiness #GreaterNorwalkHispanicChamberOfCommerce #Networking #HappyHour #DogFriendly #CaffeSocial #BusinessConnections #SupportShelters #Fur-iendlyEvent #yappyhour #sono #southnorwalk

In partnership with the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency and the Greater Norwalk Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the City is hosting its eighth workshop within our 2024 Nonprofit Capacity Building Workshop Series! It will be Tuesday, September 24th! More details below. WORKSHOP TOPIC: Donor Engagement Tuesday, September 24, 2024 | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM This free workshop will be offered in person at the Norwalk Business Development Center at 3 Belden Avenue, Norwalk, CT and online. All participants will be sent a meeting link before the workshop. In this workshop, you will learn: • The importance of data and storytelling to attract donors. • Deliver what you promised and how to pivot when circumstances have changed. • How to pick a development software that will help you attain your fundraising goals. To register, please visit https://lnkd.in/eveBe9YB #NonProfitCapacityBuildingWorkshop8 #September24

Did You RSVP? Rooftop Social @ SONO 50 🌟 Don't miss out! The Rooftop Social is a summer favorite and features an evening of networking, delicious food, and live music at the gorgeous SONO 50! 📅 Date: August 28th 📍 Location: Rooftop at SONO 50 ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM RSVP TODAY! 🎉 https://lnkd.in/e6Nd_-QS #BusinessAfterHours #SONO50 #GreaterNorwalkChamber #NetworkingEvent

Today, Mayor Rilling and Lamond Daniels the City’s Chief of Community Services announced this year's recipients of the Norwalk Mini-Grant Program. This program is funded by the City's operational budget and administered by the Community Services Department. Thirteen organizations were selected because their efforts significantly benefit our community. This program supports lower-cost projects from each selected nonprofit and helps the City better understand the needs of smaller organizations, build partnerships, and highlight their contributions to our residents. The selected organizations benefit our community through an array of incredible work, including literacy initiatives, such as providing books and literacy training, mental health initiatives through suicide prevention programs, health and nutrition initiatives that enhance farmers' market visibility and assist food-insecure residents, social programs that address loneliness and social isolation, arts access initiatives that expand access for underserved families, drug prevention initiatives that enhance education and awareness to students, youth mentorship initiatives that focus on helping minority youth, technology education initiatives focused on assisting young girls to focus on app development and access free in-person ESL classes. The awarded recipients include: Courage to Speak Foundation East Norwalk Improvement Association Elm Village Faith Lighthouse Restoration Ministry First Congregational Church of Norwalk Horizons at CT State Norwalk Norwalk Early Childhood Collaborative/Norwalk Early Childhood Office Norwalk Symphony Orchestra Recovery Innovations for Pursuing Peer Leadership and Empowerment (RIPPLE) Saturday Academy Share the Hour SOAR Together Trust the Process, Co. This year's program will grant awards ranging between $3,600 to $10,000, with a total distribution of $100,000. Eligible organizations needed an annual operating budget of less than $1,000,000. The City has a very thorough review process that included Fairfield County's Community Foundation, that served as the expert review panel for the application process. The review process involved careful consideration, which included eligibility, conformity with grant guidelines, available funds, the amount needed to achieve the desired results, and program priorities. The Norwalk Mini-Grant Program is now in its second year, and Mayor Rilling thanked Lamond Daniels and AnaVivian Estrella, his Director of Human Services, for their leadership in managing this program. @cityofnorwalk @norwalk_ct #CityofNorwalk #NorwalkforBusiness #NonprofitOrganizations #MiniGrants

Today, the City of Norwalk celebrated the grand opening of the Norwalk Sound Credit Union branch, located at 37 North Avenue, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony! Sound Credit Union offers numerous banking services and partnered with Knowledge of Financial Education (KOFE) to offer their members financial education resources. Read more about the Norwalk Sound Credit Union branch by visiting https://mysoundcu.org/. #RibbonCuttingCeremony #OpenForBusiness #CityOfNorwalk

Today, the City of Norwalk celebrated the opening of the Center for Advanced Pediatrics with a ribbon-cutting ceremony! The Center for Advanced Pediatrics is located at 69 East Avenue and provides pediatric services to children within Norwalk and at their additional location in Darien. The Center for Advanced Pediatrics also provides parents with guidance and resources to help ensure that children of all ages get proper nutrition. You can learn more about this new addition to Norwalk by visiting https://lnkd.in/eaQkfQvh #TheCenterForAdvancedPediatrics #CityOfNorwalk #NorwalkForBusiness