Editor's note: This version corrects an earlier version of this article.

Groton — Groton has hired the first of two mid-level managers aimed at making the planning department more geared toward economic development.

Deborah Jones, an environmental planner for more than 20 years, started June 22 as assistant director of planning and will oversee special projects, including an audit of zoning and subdivision regulations and a market analysis of Groton.

Jones will manage the planning division of the department, one of the four divisions: Inspection services, economic development, community development and planning, zoning and wetlands. She could not be reached for comment this week.

Jonathan Reiner, director of planning and development services, said the department also hopes to hire an economic development manager as soon as next week.

“The two key hires in the department put economic development front and center,” Reiner said. The positions would not change staffing levels in the department because two vacant jobs would not be filled.

Groton kicked off an initiative in April to examine where the community fits into the regional market. The town hired a consulting team to look at what the markets would support, to streamline zoning regulations and target areas for future investment.

The town has budgeted $200,000 to conduct the market analysis. VHB, an engineering and consulting firm with offices in Wethersfield, is reviewing Groton's zoning regulations.

The company has partnered with Camoin Associates, an economic development consultant from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to study the market.

VHB is conducting the zoning audit and is expected to provide a draft on July 20 to a focus group that includes members of town boards, business owners, developers and members of the environmental community.

A draft of the market analysis of Groton should be done in about two months, Reiner said, while the whole project, including the final regulatory audit and market analysis, will be done in approximately four months.

Town Councilor Rich Moravsik said times have changed and Groton must adjust.

"I think it's needed to get the town back up to this century," he said. "Some of the things that were done in the past were done because they relied a lot on (Electric Boat) and Pfizer for their economic growth, and now that things have changed, we need to look at ourselves on the inside."

The idea is to streamline the review process, he said.

"Everything we do, we have to think, 'Is this going to help development? Is this going to bring people to Groton?'" he said.

d.straszheim@theday.com

Twitter: @DStraszheim