NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) Governor Dannel Malloy is getting a firsthand look at some businesses in Newtown that suffered economically after December's massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Many shops and restaurants near the school could not stay open in the days after the shooting that left 26 students and educators dead. Police activity and a media crush led to road closures and clogged streets, and kept many regular customers away.

The state approved a $500,000 grant to help offset the losses and about half of that money has been distributed. The other half is slated to be used to promote economic development.

Malloy toured the businesses Wednesday, along with Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra and other local officials. He says it's been ``pretty tough'' on those businesses.