Groton tries a new approach to economic development
Groton — Local officials are ready to try a new approach to economic development in town.
The town will kick off an initiative this month to examine where Groton fits into the regional market, streamline zoning regulations and choose areas to target for future investment.
The effort represents a different approach than Groton has tried in the past, said Town Manager Mark Oefinger. Instead of looking at vacant commercial buildings and searching for businesses to fill them, town officials are trying to learn what the market wants and see if Groton has a property to offer.
For years, Groton didn't have to worry about economic development because it had Electric Boat and Pfizer, Town Councilor Bob Frink said.
"We have to worry about it now. We have competition," he said.
In the last two years, Groton officials have watched Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson move from Gold Star Highway in Groton to Bank Street in New London; Charter Oak Federal Credit Union open a new, multi-million-dollar headquarters in Waterford and turn the former Groton headquarters into a branch; and Pfizer, Inc. tear down its former research headquarters on Eastern Point Road.
The 2014 grand list, the list of taxable property in Groton, fell by 2.2 percent from the prior year, due largely to Pfizer's decision to demolish its Building 118.
Although businesses have also reported positives — the airport development park filled up and the industrial park on Flanders Road is doing well — losses have hurt.
Some believe developing Thames Street is the answer. Others point to more industry on Flanders Road. Still others suggest more investment in downtown Mystic. The town also has a Plan of Conservation and Development that essentially serves as a blueprint for the future.
But what everyone wants may not be what the market supports, Frink said. That doesn't mean Groton has to accept whatever business the market demands, he said. But it should know what that potential business is, he said.
"We want to live a certain way in Groton. We've got quality of life features. We've got three libraries. We want three libraries. We cherish them," Frink said. Residents enjoy their parks and recreation department, the senior center and the many areas of open space, he said.
But someone's got to pay for it all, especially with education costs rising yearly, Frink said.
"You live within your means, or you grow the means to support the way you want to live," he said. "So to me, that's what this exercise is."
The town has budgeted $200,000 to conduct the market analysis. It has chosen VHB, an engineering and consulting firm with offices in Wethersfield, to review Groton's zoning regulations and partner with Camoin Associates, an economic development consultant from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to study the market.
The two consultants will work together to determine the areas with the best development potential, said Kristin Clarke, economic development specialist for the town.
"The idea of this is bring in an independent outsider to tell us in a sober voice, 'Here's your best shot,'" said Frink.
The analysis will also look at Groton's local needs, said Jonathan Reiner, director of planning and development services.
"Do we have enough supermarkets for the people within this town? Do we have enough day care facilities? Do we have enough restaurants for our local populations and the tourists?" If the town can demonstrate a demand for a service or business, developers will be more likely to invest, he said.
The consultants plan to assemble a focus group that includes members of land use boards and the business community and to report back in about six months, Clarke said.
During the past few years, areas like the industrially zoned land north of the Mystic Marriott, the property around the former William Seely School and the intersection of Routes 117 and 184 have been designated as prime sites for potential development. Yet it hasn't happened, Clarke said.
The study would try to learn why, Clarke said. "If there's a high-prospect development site that's not fully serviced with water, sewer and gas, would it make sense for the town to invest in that?" she said.
Oefinger wants to re-establish the position of assistant director of planning and development and create a second economic development position by cutting two vacant jobs and replacing them with these positions. Groton needs the resources to be effective in economic development, he told an audience of about 50 gathered on Monday for a budget public hearing.
Twitter: @DStraszheim
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