Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kaylee Marchant believes it’s been an up-and-down year for local businesses. She says the General Election may have played a part in that. 

“We do find that in election years, sometimes that does affect the way people choose to spend their money. So with the election out of the way, hopefully everybody gets to move forward and enjoy the holidays.”

The Greater Newton Area Chamber and Newton Main Street have many special events planned between now and Christmas to draw people to local businesses and the community. The biggest event is the lighting of the Christmas lights on the Courthouse at 6 p.m. on Black Friday, November 29. A lighted Christmas parade through downtown will immediately follow the courthouse lighting. Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kaylee Marchant will talk more about the special holiday related events in Newton on Monday’s Let’s Talk Newton.