A new economic development and lifestyle brand has been launched in the region: “Groton City — History in the Making.”

Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick said in a release that after 60 years as an incorporated entity, “it is an ideal time to reveal a brand that highlights Groton City as a distinct community.”

In a public poll, “Groton City — History in the Making” was chosen from among three brands as being the best representation of the city and its people. The brand has had a soft launch and will become more visible throughout the community in the coming months.

“We believe this brand will showcase our city’s proud history while inviting residents, businesses, and visitors to take part in our promising future,” Cierra Patrick, economic development manager, said.

The tagline, visual elements, and colors were developed by the Norwich-based marketing agency Miranda Creative.

The brand is currently featured on the Groton City website, along with additional imagery and videos showcasing organizations like Project Oceanology, Pine Island Marina, Outer Light Brewing Company and Two Sister’s Shipping.

Plans are underway for a formal brand launch celebration on Groton City Day in August.

THE WEB WE WEAVE

Tim Love, Stonington resident and author of “Discovering Truth,” will be hosting a talk at 6 p.m. June 22 at United Church of Stonington that will explore “Artificial Intelligence: What it is and How it Works,” featuring Eric Feinberg, a cyber researcher for Coalition for a Safer Web.

Love, who is also an adviser for the non-partisan, nonprofit based in Washington D.C., is creator of Pulitzer Prize-nominated podcast series “Discovering Truth” and former vice chairman of Omnicom Group Marketing Communications.

The one-hour presentation will be followed by a Q&A. Suggested donation is $5.

MOVING UP

Essex Savings Bank has announced that Carolyn Welch has been named vice president, senior business banking officer.

“With over 40 years of experience in banking including over two decades in commercial lending, her experience will be an asset for both us and our customers,” stated Diane H. Arnold, president & CEO of Essex Savings Bank, in a release.

Prior to joining Essex Savings Bank, Welch worked in numerous roles and institutions including Chelsea Groton Bank as both senior vice president, director of commercial growth & development as well as senior vice president, director of commercial lending, and at Citizens Bank as senior vice president, market manager-business banking relationship manager channel.

She worked at Community Investment Corp. as a vice president, commercial lender.

Welch currently sits on the board for the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, is vice chairman for the Community Economic Development Fund Corporation Board and is a member of its Joint Executive Committee. Welch is also the treasurer for the Community Investment Development Corp. board.

Jewett City Savings Bank announced that Darlene DeLaura has joined the bank as branch manager of its Preston office.

DeLaura has 15 years of banking experience, most recently serving as mortgage processor closer at Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank. She attended Post University and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.

Outside of work, DeLaura dedicates her time to the New London Elks Club 360 and participates in a variety of volunteer opportunities. For 10 years, she served as treasurer of the Board of Directors at Hygienic Art, Inc., a nonprofit organization in New London.

Chris Regan, the property manager at Olde Mistick Village, has been elected the new chair of the Eastern Regional Tourism District.

Regan is replacing Jim Bellano, who took over the reins more than three years ago at a tumultuous time for the district. Bellano originally came on board when the district had a contractual dispute with the state of Connecticut’s Office of Tourism.

Other officers for the tourism district are: Jill St. Clair, vice chair; Stephen Olbrys-Gencarella, secretary; and Bruce Flax, treasurer.

GRANTS & AWARDS

Four women-owned businesses in the region have won a share of $460,000 in grant funding through the Women’s Business Development Council’s Equity Match Grant Program.

Winners of this, the sixth round of grants awarded through the program, included Provider Farms in Salem, My Fetching Hound and Never Enough Bake Shop in Mystic and Aerial Arts Fitness in Jewett City. The next application period will open in August.

“In less than three years, the Equity Match Grant Program has touched businesses in virtually every community in Connecticut,” said WBDC Founder and CEO Fran Pastore in a release.

Of the 216 EMG grants to date, 29% of grant recipients are women of color and 20% are businesses in a distressed community.

PARTNERSHIPS

Connecticut Sun has announced its partnership with Breeze Airways at Bradley International Airport.

The partnership comes with giveaways, including after home wins, a season ticket member will wins a free round trip of their choosing, to anywhere Breeze Airways flies from Bradley.

Breeze Airways at Bradley International Airport will also be sponsoring the Connecticut Sun's Fan Flyaway Giveaway. One lucky fan will win two tickets on Breeze Airways out of Bradley International Airport to the Connecticut Sun's away game against the Phoenix Mercury on Aug. 10.

The Connecticut Sun also has announced its Connecticut Sun “Coach's Show” presented by Tom's Watch Bar, a four-show series featuring Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White and hosted by Sun sideline reporter and analyst Terrika Foster-Brasby.

The show will be taking place at Tom's Watch Bar at Mohegan Sun at 7 p.m. June 13, July 5, Aug. 16, and Sept. 6. Fans wishing to attend in-person should sign up by calling Tom's Watch Bar at (860) 862-8667.

EVENTS & GATHERINGS

Bank Square Books in Mystic hosted bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand on June 12 for a special book signing of “The Five-Star Weekend.” Nearly 300 fans lined Water Street to meet the author, snap a photo, and pick up a signed copy of the book.

Lindsay Makowicki, event manager, called Hilderbrand "Queen of Beach Reads,“ and said people who attended the event were given exclusive access to the author's latest release, a day ahead of the publication date.

“We are thrilled with the success of the event and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the enthusiastic, pink and green clad attendees, to Elin, and to our staff for making this event an overwhelming triumph.” Makowicki said in a release.

For future events, visit banksquarebooks.com/event.

The Naik Family Branch YMCA is hosting a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. June 28. Donors and guests will join the Ocean Community YMCA staff in celebration of the new outdoor entertainment space which was designed for Camp Cove campers and future YMCA events.

Kent + Frost Landscape Architects, Advanced Group Construction, and Cherenzia & Associates consulted on the project. The amphitheater is a gift from major donors: Melinda Elliot Carlisle, Sarah Kelly and Ken Sigel, Mary & John LaMattina, and Tom & Candy Sanford.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for the antiques and primitives shop Rusty Relic II at Olde Mistick Village from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 29.

To register, visit mysticchamber.org. For information, call Krysta Murray at (860) 572-9578, or email krystamurray@mysticchamber.org.

Another Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting will be held at Olde Mistick Village from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, June 30, at Arisu: A Curious Place, the largest Anime and Manga store in New England.

To register, visit mysticchamber.org.