Simsbury, CT - Economic Development Commission Minutes

The regular meeting of the Economic Development Commission was called to order at 7:30 AM in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Chairman Louis George and Commission members Nancy Haase, Mark Deming, Derek Peterson, Chuck Minor, Kevin Crimmins, Alan Needham, Alan Levesque and Thomas Frank were present. Also in attendance was Hiram Peck, Director of Community Planning & Development, Alison Sturgeon, Commission Clerk, as well as other interested parties.

Commissioner Frank stated that although this is an ambitious agenda, he does not see any item relating to the Joint Meeting, which was held on February 20, 2008 regarding the Charrette process. He suggested that this would go under New Business and asked that Item 8 be moved ahead of Item 4 on the agenda in order to make sure there is sufficient time to discuss this issue. Chairman George stated that if necessary, a special meeting will be held in order to get through the agenda items.

Mr. Simmons, the State’s first Business Advocate, stated he was nominated by Governor Rell last February and confirmed by the Connecticut General Assembly in April and sworn in in May. He stated that the Office of the Business Advocate was established to serve as an information clearinghouse for public and private programs available to assist businesses. There are 12 Advocates in Connecticut. He stated that, by law, he is required to submit an annual report to Governor Rell. Mr. Simmons distributed a copy of the 2007 Annual Report to the Commission, which outlines some of the highlights of the year.

Mr. Simmons explained some of the things that he gets involved in. He stated that he helps keep businesses in communities and he also does a great deal of case work. He handles both big and small issues.

Regarding the Business Entity Tax, Commissioner Haase questioned if Mr. Simmons had identified the key issues. He stated that the problems are multiple. He tries to respond to all calls and listen to people’s concerns. He stated that this tax has risen to the top because although they stated that it would only be temporary, they did not take that tax away. Also, for the very small business owner, it is a burden. He stated that this Tax only raises $30 million per year for the State of Connecticut.

Commissioner Needham questioned if Mr. Simmons could elaborate on the Incubator Program. Mr. Simmons stated that this office is located in New Britain. The basic issue regarding this Program is to identify a small start-up that needs a small space and also helps give resources for 3-5 years to help small businesses get started.

Chairman George questioned if Mr. Simmons gets most of his referrals from existing businesses within the State. Mr. Simmons stated that he does get referrals mostly from existing businesses. He stated that the Department of Economic and Community Development has a new Commissioner with many programs that she implements. If an out-of-State company is looking to relocate, he stated that he will immediately get in contact with that office.

Metro Hartford Alliance – Jeff Vose - Mr. Vose stated that they have added some new services. For Municipalities, they have added HYPE (Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs). There are currently 500 members. They are offering this program to young Town employees free of charge. He stated that HYPE is not only a social group, but they also offer seminars and lunches.

Regarding the Charrette initiative, Mr. Vose stated that as a resource, MHA has helped other towns. He stated that Tolland has recently done a study using a company along with the University of Connecticut. The cost was very minimal to do this study this way and that the timeframe was 6-8 months.

Commissioner Frank stated that he did not believe a Charrette has been done anywhere in the State of Connecticut. He asked John Loomis, Chairman of Planning Commission, to comment. Mr. Loomis stated that a Charrette leading to a form-based design and Zoning Regulations is different than what Mr. Vose is referring to in Tolland. The difference between the study that occurred in Tolland is the participation on the part of the stakeholders and public participation. A Charrette is a process that leads to plans that become the basis for new Zoning Regulations. A Charrette is very prescriptive, descriptive and comprehensive.

Mr. Vose discussed the basic service that a Town receives when dues are paid, although over the last several years, they have helped host many additional events in Simsbury and have helped offset some of the costs. In terms of going forward, he stated that they do have experience in airport studies that might be a help to Simsbury.

Mr. Vose stated that Simsbury needs to decide where they want to go; MHA would like to help Simsbury get there. Chairman George stated that they will be discussing this when they talk about the budget. He stated that since they started paying dues to MHA, they have provided a service that Simsbury did not have before, which includes professional understanding and contacts and a regional view of the Hartford area and how Simsbury fits in.

Commissioner Crimmins stated that he is trying to understand MHA’s ability to distinguish Simsbury among the many Towns if they are placing an investment in them for specific assistance in raising Simsbury profile. Although Mr. Vose has given good reasons why Simsbury and the EDC should be involved with MHA, he is trying to understand this, as he is a new member on the Commission. He stated that there is also a high level of interest in what the EDC is going to do to lead Simsbury to more productive economic development.

Main Street – Tom Horan – Mr. Horan stated that he is a Simsbury resident, business owner and Main Street board member. He stated that they have not yet completed Main Street Partnership’s scope of services because of final budget figures still needing to be adjusted. He stated that he would get this information to the Commission prior to their next regular meeting.

Mr. Horan stated that they will be hosting a bridal fair on June 1, 2008 at River View. He stated that there has already been a lot of interest regarding vendors wanting to participate.

There will also be a Business Owners Meeting at the end of March. They will be inviting business owners to find out how Main Street Partnership can better help them. He stated that Main Street’s mission is to promote businesses in the Town Center and on Hopmeadow and to help grow existing businesses.

Mr. Horan stated that Main Street will continue again this year organizing the vendors at the Music Festival. He stated that they will also be holding a sidewalk sale and Touch a Truck this year. This will help bring people to the downtown area. He stated that they would like to expand Touch-a-Truck this year and will be providing maps for people to help avoid confusion as to where to go to see the next truck.

Regarding the budget, Chairman George questioned what the timing was for the EDC to support Main Street Partnership and other groups. Ms. Wertheimer stated that the Board of Selectmen has already presented the budget to the Board of Finance. Chairman George questioned if EDC money could be put aside to be allocated if the BOS feels that the money should go to MHA, Main Street, or other groups. Ms. Wertheimer stated that she is not aware of any money being set aside for MHA, outside of dues, although some money was set aside for Main Street, it was less than what they were asking for.

Ms. Wertheimer stated that, regarding the budget, The First Selectman has taken the Economic Development Abatement and Infrastructure Programs out of the budget. Commissioner Frank stated that during the last BOS meeting he made a plea as a private citizen that a fund for economic development activities be established in the budget under the control of the BOS so that the EDC could go to the BOS and request money they feel they need. The Commission continued to discuss budgetary issues.

Regarding the scope of service for Main Street, Commissioner Haase stated that she attended their last meeting at which there was some discussion regarding a sub-committee on economic expansion. She stated that Main Street is very helpful to the EDC and she feels that it is critical that they stay connected with each other.

Commissioners Frank and Crimmins both stated their concerns regarding leaving time for other important agenda items which still need to be discussed. Chairman George stated that having reports from community organizations are very important to the EDC and they are on every agenda.

The Commission discussed having a special meeting and what topics should be on that agenda. Commissioner Deming suggested that Iron Horse Boulevard, a discussion of the PDD status and the Charrette initiative be put on the special meeting agenda. The Commission agreed to hold the special meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. including these agenda items.

Commissioner Frank asked that a time be set for each item on future agendas in order to make time for all of the issues. Commissioner Crimmins agreed that a beginning time and an end time should be stated on the agenda. Chairman George stated his concerns regarding this issue and feels that people should not be cut off if they still have something to say, although he would state on future agendas that the meeting would run from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.