April Business Newsletter
Red Door Realty Ribbon Cutting
On March 22nd the Town was proud to attend the ribbon cutting for our very own Red Door Realty at their new office located at 71 Main Street (see picture). They were greeted by a large crowd of supporters cheering them on, along with Senator Anne Gobi's Office, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Sturbridge. We wish Red Door Realty all the best at their new location.
AAA Travel Show
On the weekend of March 2nd the Town of Sturbridge and the Sturbridge Tourist Association had the distinct honor of attending the AAA Travel Show at Gillette Stadium with Discover Central MA to promote our Town and the region. We brought copies of our annual visitor guide and our trail guide (both found on this website). This is just one of the many ways in which the Town of Sturbridge is working to promote our businesses to potential clients and visitors.
March Business Breakfast
On March 6th the Town hosted its 5th ever Sturbridge Business Breakfast. This event marked one year since the event began. The Town would like to thank all the fantastic businesses in Sturbridge that help to make this event possible. The Town would also like to thank the Publick House for hosting the event.
For those who were unable to attend, we have posted a summary of the breakfast which included conversations of the new marijuana law, the Conservation Commission, and the new Business Advocacy Group. If you want to read more please click here to read the summary of the event.
Open Space Committee
Currently the Open Space Committee is revising the Town's open space plan that was first published in 2011. This update includes a survey, a photo contest, and a public meeting to be held on April 11th at the Publick House. If you would like to find out more please click here to view the open space website.
Also, the Committee is looking for donations from local business owners who would like to provide prizes to the winners of our photo contest. If you are interested in donating a prize for the photo contest please email us by clicking here.
Farmers Market
The Farmers Market Planning Committee is working hard to bring the first ever Sturbridge Farmers Market to Town. There have been some small delays pushing back the launch date for the vendor applications, but those have all been done to help make this market the best that it can possibly be. The committee thanks everyone for their patience and their support.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the farmers market please check out their website by clicking here.
Makerspace
The Office of Economic Development is currently working with the Joshua Hyde Public Library to bring a makerspace to Sturbridge. A makerspace is a space to allow residents of all ages to learn new skills and to invent using programs and tools provided by the Town. This was one of the Town's goals in the 2011 Master Plan. It is our hope to support the makers in Sturbridge and to foster the creative and inventive minds our Town has.
We will have a lot more information on this makerspace soon.
New Community Garden
There's a new community garden in Sturbridge. The Community Food Collaborative was formed last fall by the Sturbridge and Southbridge Rotary Clubs. All produce from the garden will be donated to the Saint John Paul II Food Pantry in Southbridge. If you are interested in volunteering to help prepare, plant and maintain the garden, please join us for a kick-off celebration for volunteers followed by a tour of the garden site on Wednesday, April 11 from 4-6 pm at the Sturbridge Federated Church fellowship hall. Learn more at www.facebook.com/cfcgardens/ or at www.cfcgarden.org.
Sturbridge Committee Meeting Calendar
| Name | Day | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board of Health | TBD. | Center Office Building | ||
| Board of Selectmen | Monday | 04/02/2018 & 04/17/2018 | 6:30pm | Town Hall |
| Community Preservation Committee | Monday | 04/02/2018 | 7pm | Town Hall |
| Conservation Commission | Thursday | 04/05/2018 & 04/19/2018 | 6pm | Center Office Building |
| Design Review Committee | Monday | 04/02/2018 | 1:30pm | Center Office Building |
| Farmers Market Planning Committee | Monday | 04/02/2018 | 5pm | Center Office Building |
| Finance Committee | TBD | Town Hall | ||
| Planning Board | Tuesday | 04/10/2018 & 04/24/2018 | 6:30pm | Center Offie Building |
| Special Events Committee | Tuesday | 04/10/2018 | 6pm | Town Hall |
| Sturbridge Tourist Association | Wednesday | 04/11/2018 | 5pm | Center Office Building |
| Zoning Board of Appeals | Wednesday | 04/18/2018 | 6:30pm | Center Office Building |
Please note that these meetings are subject to change. For the most up to date list check with the Sturbridge Town Clerk or check our Town meeting calendar by clicking here.
If you have any items that you would like discussed in future newsletters, please contact the Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator by clicking here.