Progress Report

Report Card: Evaluation of Previous Plan Results

The Town’s current Plan includes goals for business incentives and physical improvements to neighborhoods and commercial districts. These incentives and improvements have resulted in increases in the commercial tax base, create jobs, generate important infrastructure improvements and add to the general appearance of commercial and residential areas.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 1:

1a. Business Incentives:

Tax Deferrals, Grants and Permit Waivers. Since 1998, the Town has approved over 70 applications including 43 projects that have been completed, 22 are currently under construction or are awaiting approval at zoning, etc. Roughly 10 projects that were approved never went forward. Many of these projects are carried over from the previous plan and have been completed. The following table outlines the performance of this program. The total benefit of the previous plans is also outlined. See table 1 for information regarding the status of projects.

1b. Small Business Loan Program(s)*:

Since October 2001, the Town made 4 loans totaling nearly all of the available funds. Loans were made for the Down-Payment Assistance and Micro-loan Program(s) at the following addresses:

    a. 2600 State Street: $50,000 (Sound Stage/DJ World)
    b. 814 Dixwell Avenue: $36,250 (Hollywood Nails)
    c. 605 Benham Street: $55,000 (Alphabet Academy Day Care)
    d. 2415 Dixwell Avenue: $50,000 (Hamden Garden Center): Encumbered for January closing.

The Total amount loaned will generate income (revenue) back to the program (to be reloaned) in an amount up to $19,000 per year for the next 15 years.

*Prior to the beginning of the expiring Three-year Plan (beginning 10/4/01), the Town made one loan that defaulted in the amount of $22,000.

Impact on Grand List

Based on data provided in Exhibit 1 (Table 1), the commercial grand list may (assessed value) increase by as much as (over) $23,000,000 from projects/businesses that were directly or indirectly assisted through the program. Over 50% of this potential growth can be attributed to the most recent 3-year plan. This increase did not include personal property or other new tax revenue generated by other expansions encouraged by the success of these projects.

Jobs Created

Because of the general state of the economy, it is hard to pinpoint how many jobs were created by companies assisted by are program. Based on data accumulated in the summer of 2004, we estimated that over 300 jobs were directly created in Hamden because of our program. That number fluctuates by 10%-20%, based on seasonal or contractual work.

The Intangibles

The success of the incentive program isn’t only being measured by new taxes collected and jobs created but also by many other impacts.

For example as the Town has completed infrastructure improvements and promoted its business incentive program, many new stores have opened over the last three years. Stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, Starbucks, Bennigan’s, Las Vega Golf & Tennis, a new CVS and Brooks and Modell’s Sporting Goods have been built. A Home Depot is under construction and upon completion, the former Pathmark Plaza will be renovated. The Town looks forward to a continuation of new investment.

Finally, the purchase and rehabilitation of blighted or run-down buildings improves the quality of neighborhoods, improves the confidence (and bottom line) of local businesses and encourages other investment. Recent examples of this kind of investment, includes the former National Filter Media Building and the Himmel Brothers site.

The following pages describe the of successfully completed projects under the expiring plan.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 2.1: Implement a Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

The Town was approved (March 2004) for a $1,350,000 grant from the CT Department of Economic & Community Development for Phase I of the MDP. The activities will include:

• Repair/Replacement of the Welton Street Pump Station
  
• Replacement of the (forced gravity) Sewer Main
  
• Reconstruction of Welton Street (Road, Storm Drainage, etc.)

These activities will:

• Resolve a standing DEP Order (since 1999).
• Will improve existing business opportunities for expansion.
• Will improve the Towns ability to attract more industry.
• Improve the quality of life for residential taxpayers.
• Be completed in the summer of 2005

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 2.2: Establish a Municipal Development Plan in the Highwood Neighborhood.

Because of a lack of State funds, the State DECD has discouraged the Town to submit a request for matching funds for a new MDP in Highwood until the Town completes Phase I of the State Street MDP.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 2.3: Establish a Professional Services, Predevelopment Cost, Acquisition Cost Fund

This fund was a successful tool for redevelopment, providing funding for appraisals, survey, legal costs, etc. Examples of projects for which these funds were utilized included:

• Canal Line disposition expenses
  
• Highwood Square Redevelopment Costs
  
• Highwood Streetscape
  
• Environmental engineering costs for the Johnson Building demolition

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 2.4: Install Signage in Hamden Business Park

This project was completed in 2003/2004, which included a new archway sign, two identification signs and landscaping for the 32 businesses located in the Park.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 2.5: Continue Streetscape Improvement Program

The Town has successfully completed three streetscape projects, one in the State Street & two in the Highwood neighborhoods. These two projects used very little funding from the Hamden Economic Development Fund, but rather mostly State and Federal grants.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 3.1: Revolving Loan Program (see Strategic Initiative 1.b).

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 3.2: Technical Assistance

The Town has continued to provide most of the services at no cost. However, the changing economy has dramatically increased the number of people seeking a wide variety of technical assistance. More and more people are changing careers and considering opening new businesses. Most of these customers need more “hands-on” assistance. The new plan outlines the plan for a “Business Assistance Center”.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 3.3/3.4: Expand the Hamden Workforce Advisory Group/Job Readiness Program.

The Town has been very active in the area of Workforce Readiness and Development. The Town continues to set the pace in the region by having a full-time Workforce Coordinator. The recognition of this has been evident in the funding of two special “Welfare to Work” grants (totally $146,000) for (job search) skills training and job linkage. Most participants in this program were placed in full-time jobs.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 4.1: Improve the Hamden Economic Development Department Web site

In early 2004 the Town launched a new Web site that includes a professional design, recent photos of Hamden businesses, etc. This site will be further developed with a new promotion and interactive program that is currently being developed.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 4.2: Implement a Professional Marketing Conservation Plan

The Town utilized the Hamden Economic Development Fund to create several marketing tools and to provide technical assistance to Hamden “branded” events, activities.

• Lure Brochure (Development and Printing)
  
• Power Point Presentation on the Town for use at trade shows, etc.
  
• Planning for an Event on Innovation & Manufacturing

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 4.3: Establish Town Data Base of Available Properties and Physical Resources

Funds under this goal were spent on specialized mapping and land use maps used in the technical analysis of development projects.

Further, funds were contributed for a new GIS program purchased by the Engineering Department for property specific data that will be important in future real estate development.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 4.4: Planning Linkages to study the Viability of Commercial Districts

The Town has become part of several new initiatives for planning the future of Commercial Districts.

• Completed a concept design plan for Highwood Square
  
• Received a grant from United Illuminating for two planning initiative for corridor planning for the State Street and Highwood neighborhoods.
  
• Active participation in several Hamden Chamber initiatives including Governmental Affairs, Retail, etc. Committees.
  
• Active in the economic impacts of projects on the Farmington Canal Line project area.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 4.5 Annual Evaluation of Three-year Plan (2001-2004)

The Hamden Economic Development Commission has conducted several ongoing evaluations of the current plan at their regularly scheduled meetings. The Director also submitted periodic reports to the Legislative Council about ongoing initiatives.