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Economic development means different things to different people. My thoughts about what economic development have changed over the past two years – because I've taken classes and attended seminars on the topic, but primarily because I've learned the parameters around which the Town and First Selectman must work in this arena. As this is an important topic for us all to understand, I thought I'd share with you some of what I've learned.
The two biggest “learnings” – (1) economic development is about more than bringing business to town and filling store fronts; and, (2) it's not as easy as it sounds!
Did you realize that everything that we do and say as residents of Colchester – each resident – impacts economic development? After many conversations with developers of various types of business and industry, it's clear that they're looking for more than a store front or an adequate building or piece of land. The businesses that we want in Colchester, that make good neighbors, are looking for the same things as are you. They want a town that values education, has services for its residents, can provide fire and police protection – a town that approves budgets, whose boards get along, and where there is a sense of community. It matters that town residents are supportive of each other –they ask about support services for families, recreation and learning opportunities, and what matters to
residents. They also want to know if Colchester's residents are supporting current town businesses. Just as Colchester's culture and character matter to us, it matters too to the developers we are working to attract.
So, while it doesn't fill store fronts, ensuring adequate fire and police protection, maintaining and expanding a water and sewer system, passing budgets, ensuring an excellent education system, providing recreation and learning opportunities, supporting our families, and shopping local is a part of the work that needs to be done for economic development. This is the “easy” part – the part over which each of us has some amount of control. Whether by participating in youth activities, volunteering at school, becoming a member of a board, commission, or committee, helping a neighbor, picking up pieces of litter, voting – everything you do contributes to our community.
The not so easy part. Many people don't realize that if a piece of land has the proper zoning and the applicant meets all of the Planning & Zoning regulations, the Town has little say over the type of business that opens. For instance, if the above conditions are met, we could have a row of bookstores – not that it makes sense or that residents would not like other businesses, but it's up to the owner the business that goes in. The two “ifs” in the previous sentence strongly regulate potential types of business openings, but if a business meets the requirements there is no limit on a specific type of business.
The other condition to keep in mind is that the Town doesn't own the various business properties. We talk to developers and businesses. We bring them to town and tell them what's available. But, in the end, it's up to the interested parties – developer and landowner or business and landowner to make whatever arrangements suit them. For example, the Town can talk to and attract businesses for the various storefronts; however, the Town doesn't set rental rates or property sale values – those are up to the two interested parties to negotiate.
Next week – more thoughts on economic development and what's happening in Colchester!
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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