Enfield Economic Development Department

The Commercial Real Estate Council of the Greater Hartford Board of REALTORS® recently announced the PINNACLE AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2004.

Awards are for transactions that represent significant sales and leases, the best and brightest real estate professionals, and excellent economic development benefits.

Congratulations to the award winning brokers and to the professionals who work for the Town of Enfield.

	Eppendorf Manufacturing of Hamburg, Germany is making renovations to a 192,000 square foot property on Freshwater Boulevard. The company will manufacture plastic consumable products used in medical research. Sophisticated machinery is due to arrive late in 04 with start of production in early 05. The company is now hiring and training personnel.
The newly installed MassMutual sign is visible from I-91 at the former home of Phoenix Life Insurance. MassMutual purchased the 440,000 square foot office campus and is beginning renovations to the property. As Phoenix moves to Hartford, MassMutual will take over their space.
	Dick's Sporting Goods, founded in 1948 by eighteen year old Dick Stack, thought it would be a good idea to put fishing gear in the Army-Navy store he worked at in Binghamton, NY. Dick was told he didn't know what he was doing. With more than 200 stores, Dick's now operates in the former Ames store in Enfield. A welcome addition to a revitalized Enfield retail marketplace.
People marvel at how quickly the former Levitz property was demolished and the new Costco constructed. It is now open for business in Enfield and the customers are very happy. Costco is a major reason why so many are looking at Enfield as a terrific retail area.
	The new Bernie's TV headquarters is taking shape. Bernie's new corporate offices, warehouse, and retail store is visible at Exit 46 of I-91 in the former PACE Warehouse. The owner is adding 70,000 square feet to the existing 120,000 square foot building. The building will be ready for occupancy in early 05.
Michael Deming recently completed the renovation of the former Papillion Tattoo Parlor, the former Ruggiero Electric store (shown here) and the reclamation of the lot between them. He has installed a beautiful new fence that shows off his accomplishment. A great Thompsonville Revitalization project. Congratulations Mr. Deming!

The new MassMutual campus on Bright Meadow Boulevard is advancing toward completion. The company is planning a public ceremony in October to showcase the facility.

Visitors will observe a significant development project that includes a new 1,500 car parking garage, completely remodeled office space, the largest cafeteria in the area, and a reconfigured entrance area. Best estimates are that building acquisition, renovations, and new construction represents a $75 million investment in Enfield. The project will be completed in May 06.

A project of this magnitude required a very strong effort by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Inland Wetlands Agency during the site plan review period. The day to day building plan review, progress inspections, and certification has placed demands on key regulatory staff. Jim Taylor and Brett Stoddard from the Building Department; Neil Angus from the Planning Department, Earl Provencher from the North Thompsonville Fire Department; and Debbie Caronna from the North Central District Health Department deserve recognition.. MassMutual and their contractors have offered the highest praise for the professionalism of all public staff.

When Precision Camera came to Enfield less than 3 years ago from Chicopee, MA, they employed 49 people and repaired 70,000 cameras per year. The company now employs 175 people and repair 7,000 per week. The company purchased and renovated #3 Anngina Drive to accommodate growth; they later purchased #1 Anngina Drive. They have recently leased #7 Anngina which has over 100 parking spaces to meet their parking and production needs. Be advised that this is not the end for this company's expansion in Enfield.

A Springfield, MA company has a signed Purchase and Sale Agreement on a large Enfield manufacturing facility. Since it hasn't officially closed, they will remain unidentified. The company has met with Enfield economic development, human resources, and finance people to get an understanding of the differences between CT and MA operations. This is a manufacturing company with 100 employees with strong growth potential. We are optimistic that a fall move will take place.

The phase-in of production at Eppendorf Manufacturing is going according to plan. Once the building was renovated, two machines were installed to commence production. Three more sophisticated machines were installed in May. Five more machines will be in production in August. There will be a total of 20 machines operating by the end of the year. With each new machine, more trained operators are employed. The company will continue to ramp up with support staff as the operation progresses. And this is the first phase.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel, formerly the Radisson, had a grand opening celebration on August 25, 2005. The new owners work at the hotel and are hands-on operators. The conversion to a Crowne Plaza required that the owners undertake a Property Improvement Plan that was based on an inspection and report by Inter Continental Hotel Group. The 18 page PIP required improvements including ADA related upgrades to rooms, repairs to swimming pools, replacement of signage, lobby improvements, renovations to function rooms, new finishes for elevators, replacement of HVAC units, new decorative standards in guest rooms, and new color palette to signify a brand change. All improvements in the PIP had to be complete prior to approving the Crowne Plaza name.

The construction value of building permits is an indication of economic activity. Through seven months of the calendar year, the Enfield Building Department has issued 1,338 separate permits with a construction value of $25,363,511. There are several significant projects yet to be counted. They include Best Buy, Outback Steakhouse, the recently approved medical building on Elm, the planned drug store and bank at Shaker and Elm. It is shaping up to be another impressive construction season.

Think it's been unusually warm this year? The above building permits include $313,373. for 48 swimming pool permits, or an average of $6,528 per pool permit.

Behind the scenes there are development entities studying over 300 acres of land for possible residential or industrial development in several locations in town. In one case, a seasoned developer is examining the purchase of industrial land for a master planned project. In another, a housing developer is studying sites now zoned Industrial, for conversion to Residential. In a third, a company is planning to sell an industrial parcel. This preliminary work has not reached a public plan review stage, but could have a substantial impact on land development in Enfield.

Planning and economic development offices will work together to define the potential impacts. If waterlines are extended in the northeastern part of town, it could result in many homes. We need to be mindful of cost to schools and government services.

Reviewing zone change requests from Industrial to Residential is an important issue from an economic development perspective. The shortage of land for industrial sites becomes more acute each year. Some industrial land is not acceptable for modern industrial use. It may lack infrastructure, have less than desirable access, have too much wetlands, or conflict with adjacent uses. However, our finite industrial land supply must be protected for the benefit of tax base growth and job creation.
The plans for developing a restaurant and hotel on Parcel BR-1 have been submitted to the Town's Inland Wetlands Agency and the Zoning Board of Appeals. The developers hope for plan approval this fall. If approved, they will begin site work this year. They must "surcharge" the building pads for the hotel and restaurant to provide a suitable stable soil condition for structural foundations. This involves placing fill and allowing it to settle.

The Northgate public improvements are under construction. Shortly after the Town Council approval of the sale of a small piece of land to MassMutual, the Town DPW and engineering staffs geared up to let the sidewalk construction contract along Bright Meadow Boulevard and down Rt. 5 to Willard Street. This is the first phase of a larger improvement effort.

The MetroHartford Alliance is lead agency for a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Austin, Texas firm of Angelou Economics is conducting the study. The consultants began the study with an informal dinner in Enfield at the Hazard Grille to solicit ideas from Town representatives and Frank Gulluni of Asnuntuck.

A desirable goal is to provide the new Town Council with information to make a decision about the future of the Higgins School property. It's an eyesore and is likely to get worse if the status quo is maintained.

To change direction on Higgins, the Town Council needs to be informed about the current environmental situation and understand the physical condition of the building. This will help all parties to understand that an action plan is desirable.

In addition, the policy makers need to be briefed on building size, floor plans, site information, and allowable uses per the zoning ordinance.
There has been some staff conversations about the possible options for the future of Higgins. Here's a few of the ideas:

(1) Conduct an RFP to entice a private developer to completely renovate the building. (There has been casual interested expressed for housing).

(2) Allow private renovation and some new construction that helps the economics of a project.

(6) The long shot: rehabilitate Higgins to replace the Lamagana Center and clear the current center for Strand Parking.

The Higgins property is important to Thompsonville improvement efforts. Hopefully, a plan of action will be a priority in 05-06

Visits to Enfield businesses this June demonstrated that all business activity operates in an international business environment. The demand for raw materials, i.e., steel by China, keeps commodity prices high for local businesses. Competition from Eastern Europe, India, China, and Mexico requires local businesses to invest in technology to keep competitive. The improvements in technological know-how in those same countries force local companies to impose cost containment strategies or find new business opportunities to remain viable.

The sale of the Casual Corner chain is a blow to Enfield. We do not know the potential job loss details yet. But two facts are clear, Casual Corner is the largest component of the Retail Brand Alliance business and that many Enfield residents are employed at RBA. Our hope is that RBA will grow Brooks Brothers and others to retain an excellent and loyal workforce.

There is progress to report from the Community Development office. Two bids have been received for general contracting services for the North School renovation. The first phase of the project came in at $164,665. The owner will be seeking permits in the next few weeks. The CD office has been beating the bushes to get contractors interested.

Peter Bryanton, the CD Director, found a backlog of housing rehabilitation projects upon his arrival in Enfield. The rap on the Town was that it was slow to complete rehab projects, and therefore, built surpluses in the rehab account. He has managed to expedite production and, in fact, is working closely with DECD to apply for a new round of rehab funding. Our state CD program rep is very pleased with Enfield's progress and superior compliance with a very complex body of regulations.

The CD staff is attending training on the rules involved with CDBG program operations. They must stay current on lead paint procedures, new environmental study requirements, and wage requirements. Over the years, the rules governing the use of CD funds have added additional costs to projects to the point where the CD dollars buy less. The advantage of these funds is being lost due to the cost associated with the regulations.

The Yankee Bait and Tackle project is making progress. The second floor has been gutted and the owners are expanding their kayak lines. They are making exterior building repairs. A long neglected property is showing signs of new life.

A town level economic development office must work closely with regional and state peers. The Enfield ED office reaches out on a regular basis for assistance and advice. You should know that the professionals at the State Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, MetroHartford Alliance, and Connecticut Economic Development Association are always there and helpful.

For example: CERC worked closely with an out of state prospect likely to move to Enfield. Northeast Utilities has visited Enfield businesses whenever requested. CEDAS is a great discussion forum for important issues, e.g., eminent domain. MetroHartford is the lead in the CEDS and is a close Enfield partner. These resources help expand the local capability

A five lot industrial subdivision on Peerless Way has been designated as a QUICK-TRACTS SITE. This designation means that the land is "shovel-ready". To earn such a designation, a site must meet three key requirements:

Peerless Way, off Shaker Road, is the home of Peerless Tool and Machine Company, Inc. Company principals are also the developers of this industrial subdivision.

The Quick Tracts program was initiated by Northeast Utilities as a way of distinguishing "ready to build" sites. Quick Tracts sites are posted on the CERC website for the convenience of companies seeking Connecticut building sites. This program is in recognition that it is important to have land available for industrial development that can be approved in a timely manner.

The Peerless Way industrial subdivision has four remaining parcels. They range from 3.8 to 6.2 acres in size.

There is a shortage of "ready to go" sites throughout the State. Enfield is at a competitive advantage because of this Quick Tract designation.

An Act Concerning Applications to Planning and Zoning Commission is pending before the House of Representatives. This legislation is supported by the Enfield Economic Development commission. This legislation authorizes an authority, commission, department, or agency to conduct a preapplication review of a proposed project with an applicant at the applicant's request.

Such preapplication review and any results or information obtained from it may not be appealed under any provision of the general statutes, and shall not be binding on any authority, commission, department, agency or other official having jurisdiction to review the proposed project.

This legislation is based on a California practice that allows developers a "Courtesy Review". Such a review allows developers to have the benefit of the wisdom, experience, and input of board and commission members before incurring the expensive process of preparing detailed engineering plans often required at the time of a formal application.

It is particularly beneficial for complex projects, large sites, or when a developer may have minimal experience in the town.

Special thanks to Representative Melody A. Currey who has been a strong supporter of this legislation.

This program, selected as the Best Economic Development Project in Connecticut at the Team Connecticut Rally in 2000, recently celebrated its 5th year of operation.

The award winning program, located at Asnuntuck Community College, is a superior education and training asset for manufacturing companies and individuals.

This Asnuntuck program, part of the college's Manufacturing Technology Center, has created programs for aerospace manufacturers and other area industries. This state of the art CNC machinery, computers and software, and the latest in turning, milling, and grinding tools distinguish this industry conceived and supported program.

In the near future, the program will be expanded and further diversified to become a multi-cluster manufacturing center dedicated for the needs of the private sector and thousands of incumbent workers, unemployed and underemployed adults, and in-school and out of school youth.

The Metro North, Class A office building on King Street has been designated as a "SNET Fiber Ready" building. To be eligible for this designation, a property must be a large, occupied, multi-tenanted building.

In the case of Metro North, the Town and owner approached SNET. The phone company provided fiber optic cable to the building. The owners can now market the building as having state of the art telecommunications service. The owner can market SNET services to building tenants.

The SmartMoves program builds relationships between owners, SNET, and tenants who are seeking the best possible technology possible.