Newtown businesses receive $500,000 from state

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Newtown is receiving $500,000 in state economic development aid for stores and other companies that lost business due to the arrival of hundreds of news reporters and others immediately after the Dec. 14 school shootings that killed 20 children and six educators.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday that the Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant will help businesses that were hurt by road closings and entrances blocked by excessive traffic and parked vehicles.

The money will be administered by Newtown.

E. Patricia Llodra (LOH'-dra) , Newtown's first selectman, said as many as 16 businesses were essentially shut for nearly two weeks by a crush of traffic involving police, ambulances, visitors donating to makeshift memorials and others.

She says officials have not yet drawn up a process to distribute the money.