New Area Codes Becoming More Prevalent in Connecticut; 475 and 959 Grow in Usage
/Do the numbers 475 and 959 sound familiar? If they don’t yet, they likely will in the relatively near future. There was a time, long ago but not far away, when residents in the entire state of Connecticut shared one Numbering Plan Area, better known as an area code. All across Connecticut, it was 203. Then, after about 50 years, it became more complicated.
First, with advances in technology and the exponential growth of communications devices, the state was split into two area codes in 1995, with Fairfield and New Haven counties retaining 203, and the other six counties shifting to the new 860. 
But that quickly proved to be insufficient. Within the past decade, two “overlay” area codes were added. Beginning in December 2009, residents or businesses in the 203 area code could be assigned a 475 area code. And telephone customers in the 860 area could be assigned the 959 area codes as of August, 2014.
Commonly known as an area code, an NPA is the first three digits of a 10-digit North American phone number. In areas that have run out of phone numbers and a new area code has been introduced, some – including Connecticut - have chosen to overlay the new area code over the same area as the old one, instead of splitting the area in half. This avoids anyone having to change area codes, but does require that everyone in that region dial all ten digits for each call.
According to the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA), which has jurisdiction for assigning area codes (Numbering Plan Areas) in Connecticut and beyond, as of June 30, 2017 telephone carriers reported approximately 57,000 numbers have been assigned using the 959 area codes, and nearly ten times that number, 523,000, have been assigned the 475 area code in Fairfield and New Haven counties. The numbers are assigned to carriers, who then dole them out to customers. 
One of them is the Odyssey Early Learning and Enrichment Program in Norwalk, assigned a 475 number. The New Haven Public Schools Office of Choice & Enrollment also was provided a 475 number, in the midst of all the 203’s across the city. In Bridgeport, St. Vincent’s Medical Center Federal Credit Union has introduced customers to their 475 area code phone number. The Hartford Correction Center began using a 959 area codes in January, and the UConn School of Social Work received a 959 number when they relocated to Hartford this year.
So, don’t be surprised if a new neighbor or a local businesses shares a phone number with an unfamiliar prefix. It’s the wave of the future, and it’s here now.
It is still possible for the “old” 203 and 860 prefixes to be assigned to new customers by the carriers. NANPA reports that there remain 200 blocks of one thousand numbers that may still be provided to various carriers for them to assign to customers.
Of course as reliance on land lines continues to diminish and people tend to keep their cellular phone numbers as the relocate across the country, the connection between where a person lives and the telephone area code becomes less meaningful. But for land lines in Connecticut what was once one area code is now four. At least for the immediate future.
This marks the 13th consecutive quarter with an Outlook of +15% or stronger, according to Manpower Group. Compared with this time one year ago, hiring prospects are slightly stronger in the Northeast and remain relatively stable in the other three regions. The Northeast Region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Employers across all sectors report favorable hiring intentions, with those in durable goods manufacturing reporting the strongest intentions in the past 10 years.
The company - FreshBev LLC - produces two primary lines of beverages - RIPE Craft Juice and RIPE Craft Bar Juices, bringing real fresh juice to the market, and connecting local farmers to consumers by using only ingredients that could be traced back to the grower and region.
The results are making local history, and spreading. RIPE Craft Juices are available nationally through Whole Foods and select regional grocery chains.
“Despite growing private-sector demand, it appears that construction employment in some parts of the country is being brought down by declining public-sector investments,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Some of these declines will be offset thanks to recently enacted state infrastructure funding increases, but stagnant federal investments are not helping.”
e of new construction jobs during the past year, followed by Nevada (12.8 percent, 9,700 jobs).
his 12 year old son and a friend play a game in their backyard in Fairfield, using a perforated plastic golf ball and a broomstick handle. They had given up on baseball and softball – not enough players for two teams, not enough space for a field, and too many broken windows.
The National Toy Hall of Fame receives thousands of nominations annually. Whiffle Ball was nominated, but not selected, in 2015. The final 2017 toy inductees, chosen on the advice of a national selection advisory committee, will be announced at The Strong museum on Thursday, November 9. Only two or three of these finalists will join other iconic toys in the hall and sit alongside past inductees such as Barbie, LEGO, Monopoly, Rubik’s Cube, and Star Wars action figures.
The Strong’s National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play. Criteria for induction include: Icon-status (the toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered); Longevity (the toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations); Discovery (the toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play); and Innovation (the toy profoundly changed play or toy design).
broken meters and streetlights, potholes, and even excessive noise from ice-cream trucks). Officials can track, manage and reply within the app. It has since expanded to some 300 municipalities across the country.”
Hurricane Harvey, the efforts with Houston instantly intensified. Berkowitz said SeeClickFix has worked with the city of Houston and several of its neighboring suburbs since 2009, handling an estimated 30,000 residents. Those numbers will likely jump when the totals for 2017 are tallied. Berkowitz told CTNewsJunkie that will be especially true in the coming weeks as operations shift from emergency calls handled by police and other emergency personnel to calls that are SeeClickFix specialties, such as power outages, downed trees and other types of “more routine” assistance.
The company’s website continues to proudly boast “Made in New Haven” and Berkowitz’ company profile explains “The inspiration for SeeClickFix came from a desire to improve his own community with his neighbors and his government.”
from the top down” as the publication highlights “some of the most promising projects, initiatives, and companies that are springing up in every state of the union. Together, they present a portrait of the country today—its concerns and responses, and its enduring capacity for progress.”
