WETHERSFIELD - Twelve of the 24 businesses that came to Wethersfield this year stuck around, and another quarter of the total are putting on the finishing touches to open, according to Director of Economic Development Peter Gillispie.

       That was among a slew of updates Gillispie provided in his economic development report to the Town Council at its July 20 meeting.

       Economic development--in order to grow the town’s Grand List and provide additional revenue that would ease the property tax burden on residents--has been a top priority for the Council.

       Two local businesses, a corner store at 500 Silas Deane Highway and Kathy’s Urgent Care, have been approved for façade improvement loans that will help with building upgrades and repairs.

       The former Amici’s building made a successful transition to what is now Kathy’s Urgent Care and the town has seen five ribbon cuttings so far this year.

       Fitness and wellness-oriented businesses dominated the influx, with the addition of a Planet Fitness facility on the Silas Deane Highway, Live Right Wellness on Main Street and River Rock Yoga--also on the Silas Deane.

       Main Street also got Wethersfield Country Store, which had a June ribbon cutting, and Great Meadow-based Connecticut Business Systems opened its doors within the same month.

       Ongoing economic development projects include the addition of nine bus shelters-an initiative being launched in partnership with CT Transit and CROCOG.

       The Main Street and Marsh Street intersection improvement project, the subject of earlier public hearings, is at the stage of finalizing bid documents, according to Gillispie’s report.

       The long-anticipated CREC magnet school is expected to be opening in the next five or six months, Gillispie said.