Administration Touts Economic Development Achievements

The following press release comes from Economic Development Director Andrew McGeever.

The town has many economic development plans on the horizon including the new development zone at the airport. 

On Aug. 12, 2013 the Connecticut Airport Authority voted unanimously to create the Economic Development Zone at the Oxford – Waterbury Airport.

Under this program, companies will be offered tax incentives to move here and it is estimated that over the next 10 years, some 10,000 jobs will be located within the zone and will net Oxford and its neighbors millions in tax dollars.

“We are now the envy of every city and town that has a small airport. I have worked very hard with State Sen. Rob Kane on this matter to make sure it happened,’’ Oxford Economic Development Director Andrew McGeever said.

The town currently has 18 projects in the works that are either complete, about to be completed, or shovel ready.

Those companies include:

* Roller Bearing Corp., Willenbrock Road, just completing 28,000 additional square feet of space to their World headquarters.

* Villa Sistiani Medicali Research, Willenbrock Road, purchased 9,000 square feet of space in early 2013.

*Go Green Global 2013 leased 9,000 square feet of space in Hurley Park.

* B International – Fox Hollow Road, company is adding 4,000 square feet to its 15,000 square footage currently has built. He also has taken an option on an additional lot to build an additional building.

 (See entire list below)

Economic growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes some two [2] to two and one half [2 1/2] years from the time a company breaks ground until Oxford receives taxes from the project. All the projects this administration has put together in the last 18 months will not bring taxes to Oxford until 2014 and onward. Our current economic conditions are based on the previous administrations last two years in office.

During a recent trip to Ireland, McGeever met with the Prime Minister there about establishing an international base for foreign countries in the new Airport Development Zone.

First Selectman George R. Temple said he commends McGeever, “for thinking outside the box,’’ especially taking the initiative to contact officials in Ireland about coming to Oxford.

“We are using an innovative approach toward economic development as the state as a whole is not doing well economically,” Temple said.

He said economic development in Oxford is alive and well, but has been slowed by the 18-month delay in approving the airport zone.

“Many potential new businesses hesitated to locate here until the zone was approved,” he said. “That’s just good business sense.”

The following is an update on Oxford Development from 2012-13 that have resurrected, started and are completed.

Resurrected-

*Balfour Industries- Riggs Street- Company relocating from the Bronx.

*Bedoukian Research – Nichols Road, moving operations from Danbury. 
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*Dr. D’Sousa property- Rt.67- New three-story medical building, with construction to start in the fall.

*Lot 10 Woodruff Hills- Lot under deposit to Earthworks of Oxford.

*Roller Bearing Corp. Willenbrock Road- Currently adding 28,000 s/f to world headquarters 

*Kimtron- Moved from Woodbury---to Hurley Park.

*Calvary Brewers- Hurley Park- Added 6,000 s/f to original location.

*Farrell Corp- Tower park- Willenbrock Road.- Went from original 3,000s/f to 12,000 s/f.

* J. Godin – Christian Street property. - Industrial property purchased for spec- 2500 s/f.

*Villa Sistiami Medicali Research- Willenbrock Road.-- 9,000 s/f Italian sales US
Go Green Global- Hurley Park- 9,000 s/f Enviorment specialists.

*Triem Industries.- Christian Street leased 10,000 s/f warehousing on upper Christian St.

*Zenon Archtech Lighting- Morse Road—added 3,000 s/f to current operation.

*Oxford House – being currently renovated to bakery, pub and offices. 6000s/f

*B. International brewer Fox Hollow- adding 4,000 s/f now with option to buy lot to build.

*Patriot Park - Hawley & Christian Street - 31 cleared acres- 9 lots. 
Hurley Group- New Haven- - purchased 2 lots on Morse Rd w/ option for 2 more lots

*Fairview [Oxford greens phase 4] additional 176 units underway- 10 sold already

*ADZ.—Gov. Malloy has designated 2 miles around airport an Airport Development Zone
10,000 jobs in 10 years and millions and millions of dollars for Oxford’s tax base.

*Peach Wave—Frozen Yogurt shop lower end of Route 67:  2,500 square feet of rental space.