WESTPORT — The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed an immeasurable toll, in terms of both personal loss and economic devastation, around the globe and here in Westport.

To help build back from the hardships suffered by local businesses over the last 18 months and surmount the hurdles on the road to recovery, the town has launched initiatives designed to support local businesses; to address the changing economic landscape, and to promote Westport as an business-friendly community to attract new development and job-seekers.

Choosewestport.com, the first new tool in the town’s economic recovery strategy, is a multi-faceted website that “highlights the benefits of relocating a business in Westport,” according to a statement from the town. It is funded by a public-private partnership between the town and local commercial real estate entities, town officials said.

The website highlights the various kinds of business that call Westport home, as well as showcasing several local small business owners in videos talking about the reasons they like doing business in town.

There is also information highlighting the desirability of Westport and its demographics, ranging from its highly respected public schools and AAA municipal credit rating to the local median household income of $187,988 to $151 million invested in local commercial properties over the last four years, according to the website.

The site also has a portal designed to facilitate connections between businesses looking to fill jobs and people looking for work, highlighting various perks of employment in both the private and public sectors.

Also featured is a “Concierge” portal, offering individualized assistance to “help you get connected with the right organizations. If you are looking to open a business in Westport, and looking to know more about how to navigate the operations of the town government…” contact: BusinessSupport@westportct.gov or 203-341-1194.

A digital campaign has been launched in the tri-state region to support Choosewestport.com, officials said.

The town is also promoting a new video — at https://bit.ly/3fw925m — to promote job-recruiting efforts by local businesses. The video uses “local employees in town to explain why they like working in Westport, and we made sure to showcase diversity in town so we can position Westport as an inclusive place to live and work,” according to a statement.

Officials suggest businesses circulate the video to help fill their job openings.