Author: Walter Hewitt

The town and city of Groton have developed a “blueprint” for economic development initiatives and they presented this plan to the community today.

The Economic Development Strategic Action Plan, in the works for more than a year, outlines goals and lays out strategies for how Groton plans to achieve them, town Planning and Development Director Jon Reiner said.

“The overall goal is to demonstrate what pieces are required to advance Groton’s growth in the best way possible and to show how we’re going to elevate Groton to be a community where you can live, work and play,” town Economic and Community Development Manager Paige Bronk said.

Bronk said it’s important to identify each strategy, so discussions can be held on how to implement it, who will do it, when it might be done and what it might cost. The plan will help the town better inform the public.

Reiner said the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development includes overall strategies and the town also has been following recommendations from a 2016 market analysis, but this next step refines those strategies and provides a formal plan that will serve as a “blueprint” for economic development initiatives.

For example, one of Groton’s main goals is to increase the percentage of people who both live and work in Groton, Reiner said. Currently, commuters hold 80% of the jobs in Groton, Bronk previously has said. The plan outlines how Groton is changing that, including by enhancing recreational opportunities, diversifying and modernizing its housing stock, and creating and expanding on places where people want to go and connect.

Other economic development strategies the town has implemented include Tax Increment Financing to offer incentives for developers to invest in town, the rewrite of the town’s zoning regulations, and the marketing and promotion of properties, Reiner said.

(Here is the Handout from the meeting )

The Southeastern CT Council of Governments has announced that they are making available a two evening course for Commissioners related to Land Use.  The first session on Wednesday evening April 29th at 7pm will cover  Legal Requirements & Procedures.  The second session will be held on Wednesday evening May 13th – also at 7pm, and will cover the Fundamentals of Reading Plans.  Please see the flyer for more information.

The purpose of the forum was to showcase our region for New England developers and associated businesses. The NEREJ uses these summits to inform, engage and make connections.  Here is a link to the New England Real Estate Journal:

The forum was split into three sessions.  The first session was moderated by Nancy Cowser of seCTer and included Alexandra Halvordson from the Naval and Maritime Consortium with David Kooris from the CT Department of Economic and Community Development.  Discussed was development Opportunities with Manufacturing and the CT Port Redevelopment. The rapid growth of EB coupled with the fact that Quonset Point is at capacity has created opportunity here in SE CT.

The second session had Nancy Cowser introducing Rodney Butler of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Thayne Hutchins, Jr. of the Mohegan tribe talking about the Gaming Industry in CT – Past, present and future. The two tribes are the 7th and 8th largest employers in the State of CT. and together contribute more to the state than 1/3 of all other CT Industries combined.

The final session was about CT Transforming the way we drive B2B in Commercial Real Estate.  The session was moderated by Amanda Ljubicic of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT and included David Kooris of CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development, Courtney Hendricson of CERC, and Charlotte Goldblatt of Goldblatt Associates. Discussed was a shift to a more proactive approach by CT-DECD and the tools/effort CERC has made to streamline the regulatory process and decrease the frustration related to the current zoning structure.

 

Launching a new business or expanding an existing one is a tremendous enterprise. The enormity of the task prevents some would-be business owners from pursuing a dream. That dream, however, may be more accessible than they think with the right support.

A wide range of resources in eastern Connecticut are ready to help small businesses, from startup to stabilizing market share to gearing up for the next stage of growth.

Navigating available resources can be confusing, so Montville Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT have teamed up to present a Small Business Resource Forum on September 24, 6-9 p.m., at the Montville High School Cafeteria. This regional event is free and open to all.

The Small Business Resource Forum will feature representatives from federal, state and local agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), Montville Economic Development Commission (EDC); Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT; Small Business Development Center (SBDC); CT Economic Resource Center (CERC); Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer); SCORE; Foundry 66; and Signature Properties of New England.

The moderated forum begins with a brief presentation by each agency, followed by an opportunity to visit table displays, make new business contacts, and ask questions. Designed to launch conversations, the event opens doors to connect with agencies that are a good fit for a businesses’ goals or needs.

“Montville has and will continue to work with our agency partners to support economic development activities through job creation and retention through specific efforts in business finance, marketing, neighborhood development, workforce development, small business development, business retention and expansion, technology transfer, and real estate development,” said Mayor Ronald McDaniel.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community,” said Tony Sheridan, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. “Companies under 500 employees make up 97% of the state’s businesses. It is essential that we connect them to the support they need to thrive.”

Prospective entrepreneurs, small business owners and principals, and representatives from organizations that work with small businesses are encouraged to attend.

For more information on the event, a list of presenters, and registration, visit ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.

Note:  This article will be published in the Day on 9/13. A special thank you to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT and to Colleen Gresh and James Toner for their efforts!  

Here is a link to a PDF showing properties for sale in Montville provided by Marcia A. Vlaun, our Town Planner.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in any of these properties.  The property classifications included are:

C1-1 Neighborhood Commercial District. Retail storefronts. Allows more business types than B1 districts, including liquor stores, warehouses, and auto shops. Apartments permitted above the ground floor.

In a C2 zone within 100 feet of a residential zone, no building shall exceed three stories or 35 feet in height. A building on a corner lot is encouraged to be at least two stories in height. Multistory buildings with residential uses on the upper floor or floors are encouraged in the C2 zone.

Industrial – Land devoted to research, manufacturing, warehousing, storage, distribution, treatment, or recycling of finished or raw goods, materials, or products.

OZ – overlay zone is a zoning district which is applied over one or more previously established zoning districts, establishing additional or stricter standards and criteria for covered properties in addition to those of the underlying zoning district..

 

On Monday August 12, Montville’s Town Council unanimously approved the appointment of EDC Commissioner Heather Harris to the Eastern Connecticut Regional Tourism Board.  The Connecticut General Assembly, in its FY ’20-‘21 budget, appropriated funds for the three Regional Tourism Districts: Eastern, Central and Western.  Each district shall promote and market their districts as regional leisure and business traveler destinations to stimulate economic growth.

The Tourism Industry contributes $15.5 billion a year to the Connecticut economy, employing 84,254 direct jobs for a total of 123,521 total jobs supported by tourism in every part of our state. Tourism also generates $2.2 billion in tax revenue to our state, including, $960 million to state and local governments. The Connecticut Office of Tourism stands ready to help us, in any way they can to advance our community’s tourism efforts.

Small Business Resource
Forum

Tuesday, September 24th, 2019; 6 – 9 PM
Montville High School Cafeteria
800 Old Colchester Rd, Oakdale, CT, 06370

The Montville Economic Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut are pleased to sponsor a Montville Small Business Resource Forum. Information and networking with federal, state and local agencies will be available.

Agencies include the Small Business Administration (SBA), Montville Economic Development Commission (EDC); Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Center (SBDC); CT Economic Resource Center (CERC); SE CT Enterprise Region (seCTer); Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); Foundry 66 (F66); and Signature Properties of New England.

You can to expect to gain business contacts and resources, as each agency will discuss and indicate what it does, and how it can help start and grow small businesses. Information on loans, non-traditional loans, networking, licenses, permits, Business Plans to grow a business, Business Incubators, become a Government vendor, and where to get Real Estate help will be available. This Forum is  FREE!!!

To preregister go to: www.chamberECT.com/montville-forum or contact The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT by calling 860-701-9113.

Agenda (Moderator – Jim Toner – 6 to 9 PM)

Montville, Montville EDC	Mayor McDaniel, Walt Hewitt	6:00-6:10pm
Chamber of Commerce Eastern CT	Tony Sheridan/Amanda Ljubicic	6:10-6:20pm
Small Business Administration (SBA)	Lisa Powell	6:20-6:30pm
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)	Matt Nemeth	6:30-6:40pm
CT Economic Resource Center (CERC)	Beth Wallace; (Lisa Powell/Jim Toner)	6:40-6:50pm
SE CT Enterprise Region (seCTer)	Ann Chambers, Frank Dixon	6:50-7:10pm
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)	Margo Weitekamp	7:10-7:20pm
Foundry 66	Bob Mills	7:20-7:30pm
Signature Real Estate of NE	Melissa Giangrasso & Jonathan Leonard	7:30-7:40pm
Visit the tables, network, ask questions, get business cards, etc.	Everyone	7:40-8:30pm
Sit Down and Wrap Up	Jim Toner	8:30-9:00pm

 

The Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) is announcing the launch of the ‘Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development’ certification to recognize Connecticut municipalities for outstanding land use practices.

In creating this program, CEDAS partnered with sponsors Eversource, UI, CNG, SCG, Pullman & Comley, and STV/DPM to present this accreditation as a strategy for sharing information on planning policies and as a catalyst for economic development in Connecticut. Collaborating partners include the Connecticut Economic Development Association, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the University of Connecticut-Department of Extension.

The Best Practices program provides a tool for planners, economic developers, and community leaders to review their existing strategies for economic development and drives them to pursue creative, community specific practices for encouraging investment and smart planning. “This is a great opportunity for staff, commissioners, and elected officials in every community to improve their effectiveness in economic development by reviewing their existing strategies and understanding what they could improve.” said Garrett Sheehan, President of CEDAS.  “We’re interested in giving communities ideas and tools for making improvements that work best for them.”

The program was designed over the past two years with significant input from economic development professionals and planners.  According to Kelly Buck, CEDAS Board Member and Co-Chair of the Best Practices Committee “This program is the result of a unique collaboration including a diverse range of partners. We’ve reached out to share the idea with groups like the Connecticut Developers Forum, the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association and were very interested in learning from communities presently leading the way.”

Communities who document use of established best practices will be recognized and will receive an award at the CEDAS annual meeting in October, 2019.  Applications will be evaluated by a committee of each of CEDAS’ collaborating partners. To demonstrate continuous improvement, applicants may re-submit for recertification every three years and share their successful strategies as models of ‘Best Practices’ for other Connecticut communities. The program will be revised each year to reflect input from communities.

Interested communities can download the application and read more about the program athttps://www.cedas.org/Resources/CT-Best-Practices-In-Land-Use-and-Economic-Development/.  Applications are due on September 15, 2019.  Information and questions about the program may be addressed to: cedasprograms@gmail.com

The Connecticut Economic Development Association works closely with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) to foster economic growth in the state through its support of legislation, connect planners, policymakers, and community leaders with information on development practices and strategies, and to co-sponsor events to attract businesses and investment to Connecticut.