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Town of Acton
Office of Economic Development
Business Updates
Thursday, July 3, 2025
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| | In This Edition | | 1) MAPC Visit | | 2) Food Pantry | | 3) Powder Mill Road | | 4) Visit to HmS Haynes Co. | | 5) Business of the Month | | 6) Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies | | 7) Doing Business in Acton | | 8) Economic Development Committee | | 9) Business Quiz | | 10) Concerts and Events | | | A Letter from the Economic Development Director | | |
Welcome!
We’re excited to share that the Town of Acton has officially kicked off the preparation of a Cultural Arts Strategic Plan in partnership with The Metropolitan Area Planning Council - MAPC. This effort will help guide the future of arts and culture in our community.
There’s great momentum across town, with several areas seeing exciting developments. Kelley's Corner is entering the final phase of its sidewalk and streetscape improvements, enhancing walkability and accessibility. Meanwhile, on Powder Mill Road, construction is progressing for the delivery of over 200 new residential units. To keep the business community informed, a Zoom meeting is scheduled for July 8th with contractors working on Powder Mill Road. Local business owners are encouraged to attend to learn about the upcoming phases. The Zoom link is available in Section 3 below.
Finally, we invite all Acton residents, shoppers, and local businesses to make the most of the summer events happening across town—full details are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
See you all soon!
Patricia Costa
Economic Development Director
To contact Patricia Costa, please email pcosta@actonma.gov or call (978) 929-6516.
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Summer is Here
The sun is out and so is our summer event lineup! From concerts to community gatherings, the Town of Acton is hosting a variety of events for all to enjoy.
Remember to scroll down and check out the upcoming events.
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Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Acton
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On Thursday, June 26, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) visited Acton as part of an ongoing assessment of the Town’s historical, cultural, and arts assets. This visit marks a key step in the development of Acton’s upcoming Cultural Arts Strategic Plan.
The assessment takes a transdisciplinary approach, aiming to foster meaningful connections across arts, history, culture, local businesses, and recreation.
During the visit, the MAPC team toured several key locations,
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including the Town Common, Arboretum, South Acton, West Acton, NARA Park, and the Great Road Corridor.
The goal is to inventory existing assets and identify opportunities to strengthen and expand Acton’s cultural landscape.
Special thanks to the Select Board, Cultural Resources Manager Barbara Rhines, the Discovery Museum, and local artists Sunanda Sahay and Yin Peet (YV Art Museum), who generously shared their time and insights with the MAPC delegation.
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Become a Donation Collection Spot
Local businesses can make a difference in our community by partnering with the Acton Food Pantry as a donation collection site. Participation is simple: just designate a visible spot in your establishment where the Food Pantry can place a donation bin. They will handle the rest—regularly collecting non-perishable food items generously donated by your customers.
| | | In the picture, Brandon Crocker (Acton Food Pantry), Aneesh Bhambri (Verizon), and Patricia Costa. | | |
Upcoming Meeting for Project Updates
| | Businesses located along Powder Mill Road are invited to attend a Zoom meeting with The Dolben Company to learn about the upcoming steps in their construction workflow. This is an opportunity to hear directly from the project team and better understand the next phases of the project. | | 4) Visit to HmS Haynes Co. | | |
From Acton to the World
The Town of Acton is proud to be home to one of the world’s most renowned musical instrument makers—Wm. S. Haynes Co., a company with a rich tradition of excellence in flute making since 1888. From their facility in the Nagog area, Haynes handcrafts professional-grade flutes that are shipped from Acton to musicians and institutions across the globe. Their presence is a testament to Acton’s blend of innovation, artistry, and global reach.
| | Aiven O'Leary, General Manager of Hm S Hayes Co. and Patricia Costa during a site visit on June 23. | | |
Anita's Shoe Boutique
Drawing on her love of outdoor activities, Anita Opitz curates a selection that includes arch-supportive styles, zero-drop designs, and wider toe boxes—all aimed at supporting natural foot movement and strengthening foot muscles. Opening her first store in Acton was the realization of a longtime dream after many years in the corporate world.
| | Anita Opitz, second from the right, with her Acton store associates. | | Anita brings a creative and community-centered spirit to her business, shaped by her background as someone who enjoys painting, practices yoga, plays the piano, and loves to dance. She is especially committed to supporting local artists and small businesses, and emphasizes personal interaction with every customer—making her store not just a place to shop, but a reflection of her values and vibrant lifestyle. | | Anita's stores in Acton and West Concord carry footwear for all ages with a focus on comfort. | | 6)Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies | | Two ribbon cutting ceremonies—one held on June 27 and another scheduled for July 11—celebrate progress in Kelley’s Corner. These events mark the beginning of an anticipated revitalization, with major improvements to the area. | |
Verizon
Verizon has recently renovated its store at Kelley’s Corner, offering an updated and modernized space for customers. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 27 to mark the reopening and celebrate the refreshed location.
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Btone
Btone Fitness will host its ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11 to celebrate the opening of its location at Acton Plaza. The studio innovates by offering Pilates-inspired movements in efficient 45-minute sessions. Btone’s method integrates strength training, functional movement, balance, and flexibility to support overall fitness and well-being.
| | | 7) Doing Business in Acton | | | | |
This comprehensive resource is designed for both current and prospective business owners, offering valuable insights and information to help you thrive in our town. We warmly invite all residents to explore this digital booklet—just a click away!
If you prefer a printed version, hard copies are available at the Town Manager's Office in Town Hall.
[Click here to view the booklet.]
| | | 8) Economic Development Committee | | Help shape Acton’s economic future—join the Economic Development Committee! Meeting on the first Friday of each month, the committee supports a strong local economy by advising on business growth, promoting Acton, and strengthening commercial areas. Residents, business owners, and professionals are all welcome. Make an impact in your community! | | The next EDC Meeting is scheduled for Friday, July 18, 2025, 10:30-noon via Zoom. Please click here for updates/agenda/links via the homepage. | | |
LAST E-NEWS QUIZ:
NARA Park is celebrating how many summers of fun this year?
Email us by clicking here with your answer. We can't wait to see and share the results in our next Newsletter and the first correct answer received will win a special surprise!
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Stone Carving Workshops at YV Museum
The YV Museum is proud to host the 2025 Stone Carving Symposium from August 3 to 24. Open to all skill levels, the symposium offers three hands-on workshop sessions:
- Session 1: August 4–10
- Session 2: August 11–17
- Session 3: August 18–24
Workshops run from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Fees are $850 per session or $2,000 for all three.
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Special Thanks
Our events would not be possible without the support and engagement of our local and regional businesses. Thank you all who have supported us. Sponsorship is a great way to be part of the events, interact with the members of the community and show your support. Please click here if you would like to contact us for more information.
Click HERE for sponsorship opportunities.
Click HERE for our Acton TV video which highlights all the summer entertainment.
NARA Summer Concerts & Special Event Sponsors as of June 24, 2025.
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