11-6-09

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional, State Federal Links Docs"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Links NW CT"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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Assoc.)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Bronze Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Parker Productions</B></div> <div> <B>Winvian</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    </B><B>|</B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Northwest Connecticut Economic Developme"><B>home</B></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12309">1-23-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3609">3-6-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5109">5-1-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="72409">7-24-09</A>   |   <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="91709">9-17-09</A>   |   <B>11-6-09</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>11-6-09</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="727" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2460 WIDTH="719"><div> <B><U>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</U></B></div> <div> 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790</div> <div> <U>860.567.2204 - www.nwctedc.com - info@nwctedc.com</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Minutes - Board of Directors</B></div> <div> <B>Friday, November 6, 2009</B></div> <div> <B>NW CT Chamber of Commerce</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This meeting was focused on redeveloping existing sites within close proximity of city centers.  Since some of these properties are previous industrial sites, environmental concerns often need to be addressed.  Redeveloping Brownfields is a high priority regional goal.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Attendance:</U></B> </div> <div> Doug Parker, Allan Borghesi, Arthur Bogen, JoAnn Ryan, Ryan Bingham, David Dean, Leo Paul, Jr., Bill Baxter, Frank Chiaramonte, Fran Delaney, Ted Murphy, Vance Taylor, Rep, Michelle Cook, Mark Arigoni, John O'Toole, Lou Helt, Vic Muschell, Pat Power, Jeff Graveline, Jennifer Graveline, Win Smith </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Ryan Bingham, Mayor of Torrington</U></B></div> <div> Ryan stated that redeveloping and revitalizing the downtown area as well as remediating and redeveloping existing Brownfields sites are high priorities for his administration.  The overall goal is to make placeCityTorrington a better place to live and work.  He and Rose Ponte will be attending the national Brownfields conference in placeCityNew Orleans to learn more about best practices and to learn about successful redevelopment stories from around the country.  He looks forward to continue working with the Torrington Development Corporation, the Chamber, LHCEO and NWCTEDC.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Arthur Bogen (Down to Earth Consulting)</U></B></div> <div> Arthur provided an overview of Brownfields remediation and redevelopment.  He answered four main questions.  <B>What are Brownfields</B>?  (real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant - EPA definition) <B>Why should we remediate these sites</B>?  (generate new taxes and jobs, reduce blight, abate human and ecological health risks, help preserve open and green space, use existing infrastructure) <B>What are economic factors affecting the redevelopment of Brownfields sites</B>?  (undefined risk of liability, cost and time; front end cost and time to define issues; inverted value; tax liability) <B>How can economic development officials support efforts to remediate and redevelop these sites</B>? (advocate public funding for environmental assessments and cleanups; advocate tax credits, forgiveness, grants and other playing field levelers)</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>YouTube Video Clips </B><B>-  Arthur Bogen</B> <I>(Down to Earth Consulting)</I></div> <div> <I>recorded at NWCTEDC meeting on November 6, 2009</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 1 -</I></FONT><I> </I><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2PujqyAKTE" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2PujqyAK"><B>What are Brownfields?</B></A><B> </B> </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 2 -</I></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzTQaVlXEA" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzTQaVlX"><B>Why should we remediate these sites</B></A><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzTQaVlXEA" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzTQaVlX">?</A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 3 -</I></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi_iOdMZyyY" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi_iOdMZy"><B>What are economic factors affecting the redevelopment of Brownfields sites</B></A><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi_iOdMZyyY" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi_iOdMZy"><B>?</B></A></div> <div> <I>Part 4 -</I><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5plhg" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5pl"><B>How can economic development officials support efforts </B></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5plhg" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5pl"><B>to remediate and redevelop these sites</B></A><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5plhg" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5pl"><B>?</B></A><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5plhg" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhcQZx5pl"> </A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>John Collins (VeruTEK)</U></B></div> <div> Unfortunately John was not able to attend due to illness <I>(he got the flu)</I>.  Efforts will be made to try and reschedule another visit.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Bill Baxter (Torrington Development Corporation)</U></B></div> <div> Bill provided an update on the Torrington Municipal Development Plan.  He is pleased with the support TDC has received from Mayor Ryan Bingham and all placeCityTorrington officials.  The plan has been endorsed by placeCityTorrington Planning & Zoning, Torrington City Council, Litchfield Hills Council of Elected Officials (LHCEO), NW CT Economic Development Corporation (NWCTEDC) and the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).  Bill strongly advocates updating the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS).  Having a regional CEDS was a major factor in obtaining funding from the state and federal levels.  Bill used a Power Point slide show to provide his overview:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>YouTube Video Clips -  Bill Baxter</B> <I>(Torrington Development Corporation)</I></div> <div> <I>recorded at NWCTEDC meeting on November 6, 2009</I></div> <div> <I>Part 1 - </I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtkaF3utFA" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAtkaF3ut"><B>Torrington Municipal Development Plan</B></A></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>Part 2 -</I></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-1-BAmHTuE" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-1-BAmHT"><B>Torrington Municipal Development Plan</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Phase 1 (ongoing)</U></B></div> <div> <B>Survey work completed</B></div> <div> <B>Discussions with key stakeholders</B></div> <div> Parking status</div> <div> Options on arrangements</div> <div> <B>Parking management</B></div> <div> <B>DOT trade offs/agreements</B></div> <div> <B>Preparation for other pieces of puzzle (2010)</B></div> <div> Roadway/takings</div> <div> Properties</div> <div> Funding for Acquisition</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Grants & Funding Received to date</U></B><B>:</B></div> <div> <B>DECD</B> @      $504,000 (design and engineering)</div> <div> <B>City</B> @           $150,000 (since 2004)</div> <div> $50,000 (escrow)</div> <div> CDBG @ $235,000 for addressStreetWater Street</div> <div> Brownfields grant $1,000,000 </div> <div> LHCEO - Federal Transportation Bill (reauthorization)</div> <div> $17,905,000 - Roadway & Intersection Improvements</div> <div> $13,524,000 - grant</div> <div> $3,300,000 - city</div> <div> <B>Other:</B></div> <div> ARRA Transportation Investment Guarantee Economic Recovery  (1.5 billion)</div> <div> DOT Acquisition Program </div> <div> EDA ? CEDS</div> <div> Private/Public Partnership Programs</div> <div> Greenway/River Reclamation  Grants</div> <div> ARRA - (TIGER Funds)  CT $630,282,554</div> <div> Other  (Rabbits in hats)</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>TDC Goals</U></B></div> <div> Promote economic development</div> <div> Strengthen the existing mixed uses of downtown</div> <div> Promote local and regional arts, cultural interests, and tourism</div> <div> Preserve placeCityTorrington's heritage and unique historic character</div> <div> Improve pedestrian facilities, traffic circulation, parking and streetscape</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Discussion</U></B></div> <div> Save a Historic Downtown</div> <div> Require a “vision”</div> <div> Needs resources - $$$/people</div> <div> Momentum - reverse it</div> <div> Leadership “tantamount to success”</div> <div> Political, Business, Personal</div> <div> Take courage </div> <div> Requires some risk </div> <div> Expend “capital”</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Other Thoughts</U></B></div> <div> TDC/EDC - don't have all the answers</div> <div> Open to positive ideas</div> <div> Consider “thinking outside the box”</div> <div> It is in <U>our</U> hands!!!</div> <bR> <div> Mark Arigoni (Landscape Architect, working with TDC) provided more details about the plan including landscape architecture, infrastructure upgrades, street lighting, addressing traffic and parking issues and creating a "green" environment in the downtown area.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>JoAnn Ryan (Updates - NW CT Chamber)</U></B></div> <div> JoAnn encouraged local companies to take advantage of grant opportunities from the Workforce Investment Board.  The PlaceNameplaceWelcome PlaceTypeCenter is progressing forward.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Adjourn - 9:30 am</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>JoAnn Ryan, Recorder</B></div> <bR> <div> Regards,</div> <div> Doug Parker</div> <div> President/Executive Director</div> <div> NW CT Economic Development Corporation</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nwctedc.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nwctedc.com/">www.nwctedc.com</A></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:info@nwctedc.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@nwctedc.com">info@nwctedc.com</A></div> <div> (860) 567-2204</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NWCTEDC Minutes"><B>Back to Minutes</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>