Piscopo Proposes Legislation Designating Thomaston As An Enterprise Zone
ATTENTION: All business owners and anyone interested in expanding Thomaston’s economy and creating jobs!!
In an effort to keep you informed, I wanted to let you know that a public hearing on legislation that I’ve proposed to designate Thomaston as an enterprise zone has been scheduled. The public hearing will be in the Commerce Committee TOMORROW, TUESDAY, March 11TH at 10:30AM in room 1D of the Legislative Office Building.
I am strongly supporting this legislation to designate Thomaston as an enterprise zone. This inclusion would help our district by attracting new business to our area and growing our local economy.
Businesses currently located in, or relocating to an enterprise zone qualify for a series of tax breaks. These tax breaks allow businesses to maintain their capital, and to reinvest the money back into the business, leading to further growth, more jobs, and an expanding economy. This is a simple formula for business development and growth.
Currently, Thomaston does not belong to an enterprise zone. However, other surrounding towns belong to enterprise zones and are business friendly. The Naugatuck Valley is an enterprise zone, as is Waterbury and Bristol. Thomaston is located right in the midst of these other towns that have incentives for business. We have the space to accommodate new and expanding businesses, and want to be seen as an attractive location on an equal playing field with our neighbors.
One of the first considerations for businesses looking to move into a new area, or to possibly leave the area, is whether or not that location is in an enterprise zone. Companies will invariably move into or remain in an enterprise zone, as a strategy to benefit from tax abatements, as opposed to an area like Thomaston, which is not able to offer this incentive.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
I encourage your participation by testifying in person, or submitting written testimony.
FAQs
Who can testify at a public hearing?
Anyone may testify at a public hearing.
What are the rules?
The rules vary by committee. The notice of the Public Hearing in the Bulletin (cga.ct.gov) provides basic rule information.
How long should testimony be?
Testimony should be no longer than three minutes.
Who speaks first?
The first hour of a hearing is normally reserved for legislators and agency heads or invited guests. Then testimony is taken in the order people signed up.
Should I bring copies of testimony?
Written testimony is not required but is recommended. If you bring written testimony, you must bring a copy for every committee member. Your testimony can also be submitted electronically by contacting each committee in advance for the correct email address.
Commerce Committee Rules:
Please email a PDF copy of your written testimony to commercemail@cga.ct.gov by 9:30AM on March 11 and include the word “Testimony” in the subject line.
Please submit 35 copies of written testimony to Committee staff one hour prior to the start of the hearing in Room 1D of the LOB. Sign-up for the hearing will begin at 9:00 A.M. in Room 1D of the LOB. The first hour of the hearing is reserved for Legislators, Constitutional Officers, State Agency Heads and Chief Elected Municipal Officials. Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony. Unofficial sign-up sheets have no standing with the Committee.
All testimony will be available at http://cga.ct.gov/ce
I hope this is helpful.