Economic News

Cromwell Commons

Cromwell is a Connecticut River community of nearly 13,000 people, located just north of Middletown. During the past ten years, its residential population has jumped over 12%. A high quality of life, along with a strategic central location and the best highway access in the state have combined to make Cromwell a popular residential community.
Understanding the need for balance, community leaders have focused on the development of its industrial and commercial interests as a top priority.

Cromwell Economic Development Update

Growing businesses are an integral part of a strong community. Businesses bring tax revenue, jobs and convenience. While Cromwell’s recent growth has been fueled, in large part, by the desire of many people to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the peace and quiet of the countryside, without a strong and vibrant business community, the welfare of the community as a whole would suffer. Schools, police and other town services would be chronically underfunded. Part-time jobs for teenagers would be scarce. And no one wants to drive all the way to another town to buy the groceries, get a haircut or pick up a pizza. An active business community makes for a good town. An active business community controlled by sound planning makes for a great town, and that’s the aim of the Cromwell Business Development Commission.

Northern Tier Industrial Development

For several years, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) has been working to develop the industrially zoned lands in the northern most section of town. This area is defined by U.S. Interstate 91 on the west, to the east by Connecticut Route 99, to the north by the town of Rocky Hill and in the south by Coles Road, Geer and Court Streets.

To facilitate development of this area, significant infrastructure improvements need to be made. These improvements include but are not necessarily limited to: extension of utilities, improvements to existing roads, making the access road to the Town transfer station a public road and the replacement of the sewer pumping station that services the area.

Two grants have been obtained from the State of Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) totaling $945,000 for the purpose of making infrastructure improvements. Through this grant program the Town has conducted a marketability study of the area and is currently working on a Connecticut Environmental Policy Act study. The grant is being managed by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), which requires the study prior to releasing any funds for infrastructure improvements. Currently, there is a need to prioritize the infrastructure improvements to determine how the existing grant funds will be used.

In 2004, a Delta Building Corporation, a local developer, purchased a 13-acre track of land formerly known as 233 Shunpike Road. The Town contributed to the development of this parcel by making a grant to Delta in the amount of $350,000 to extend the sewer line and to make necessary road improvements. Delta made a subdivision application in the spring of 2004 to create seven building lots and named the project Coles Brook Commerce Park. The project has been extremely successful.

Advanced Copy Technology Inc., an existing Cromwell business has constructed and begun occupying the first building on the site. The building is 9,000 square feet and the business employs twenty-five individuals full time.

The second completed project is a 10,000 square foot building constructed by Merola Properties LLC. The current building is the first phase of a two-phase project that will ultimately consist of a 24,000 square foot mixed use building. Millard Enterprises, an operating company owned by Merola, is the first tenant in the mixed-use building occupying approximately 4,000 and employing ten people. When fully built out, it is expected the project will house up to seven businesses.

The third project completed was the 10,000 square foot class “A” office building housing PrimePay of Connecticut, another existing Cromwell business. PrimePay will employ twenty-five employees at the new location with intentions to grow to 50 employees within five years.

This spring saw the ribbon cutting of The Computer Company, Incorporated’s new $1.2 million, 9 thousand square foot facility. The Computer Company began as an IT solutions provider and soon experienced dramatic growth in products, services, and clients. The relocation of the business and its 20 employees represents a commitment to further growth that will be marked by an increase in 15 employees within the coming years and exciting new products and services.

In addition to these projects, a fifth building is being planned for a local wholesale distribution company. This building will be approximately 8,000 square feet.

The Development of Coles Brook Commerce Park has substantially sparked interest in the surrounding industrial area. The owner of a majority of the property is the Gardner family. They currently operate an ornamental plant nursery on much of the property. They are considering development options. A well-known national developer is working with the family to develop the highest potential of the Gardner lands.

Cromwell has had discussions with the Town of Rocky Hill regarding the mutual development of the area. Both towns need infrastructure improvements to facilitate development and intend to work jointly if possible to the mutual benefit of both.

The transfer station driveway is in the process of being made a public road. Long awaited sanitary sewer improvements to service this area will be designed and put out for bid this year.

Riverfront Development

The Town of Cromwell offers for development a unique 32-acre site along the Connecticut River in Cromwell. The Town owns the property. The project area is centrally located and provides great opportunity for private development. The town is seeking to develop the site into an attractive gateway project and capture the advantage and market potential of the area. A detailed vision plan was prepared in 1997. It has been used as a guide for development objectives.

The site presents formidable development challenges. It is entirely within the 100-year flood plain and over 60% of the site is located in wetlands. Overcoming these challenges will require substantial local and state regulatory involvement. Significant investment in time and effort will be needed to overcome the challenges.

The Economic Development Commission conducted environmental evaluations of the property in 2006 to determine the viability of commercial development. The studies, as well as discussions with the State Department of Economic and Community Development, have indicated that such potential does indeed exist. To further examine this potential and provide future developers a more complete development prospectus, the EDC secured a State grant to conduct a Phase II Environmental Analysis.

Historic Downtown Development

The EDC has formed a committee to work with stakeholders in the historic downtown area. The committee’s central purpose is to form a grassroots organization that will employ the “Main Street” approach to redevelopment. A four-prong tactic of organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring has begun in the tried and true fashion.

Working jointly, the EDC and grassroots committee will prepare and submit an application for a STEAP grant to develop a façade improvement program, a painting program and to construct or improve focal points of the downtown area. The historic downtown is also the setting for the Town’s annual Riverport Festival. A street festival with vendors, games, rides, food and entertainment that celebrates Cromwell’s downtown, riverfront and history as a center for shipping. The committee will assist in cleaning up the area by sponsoring a neighborhood clean up. They will also assist in promoting the event.

The committee is strong and has more than 30 volunteers making up its membership. The EDC has paid for a membership in the Connecticut Main Street Center’s Downtown Revitalization Institute and this allows volunteers to attend training and receive technical support from statewide and national resources focused on downtown redevelopment. The committee meets the first Tuesday of every month.

The Town received a $250,000 Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance grant to enhance the historic downtown area. Enhancements will include improvements to public areas such as Memorial Green and Stocking Triangle; the continuation of an ornamental lighting program and the initiation of a façade improvement program to provide incentives private property owners to make improvements.

Community Promotion

Despite a lack of inventory the EDC stays busy with a straight-forward promotional campaign. The message is simple and directed to both an internal and external audience. Messages include opportunities that exist in Cromwell for the consumer, traveler and resident. In addition, economic development projects, new and growing businesses and incentives to relocate are also featured in the various venues.

In the past three years, Cromwell has exhibited via an information booth at the Travelers Championship, a national PGA golf tournament held annually in the town. The EDC is also afforded other sponsorship benefits to aid in promotion. This information booth/welcome center is also set up and staffed at the Riverport Festival and the regional chamber of commerce business exposition.

Other promotional activities included the EDC’s web site, mycromwell.com, featuring information about local businesses, available commercial and industrial property and other economic development related information. The EDC has also been working with the private sector and civic groups to improve the Town’s gateways by improving welcome signs.

Development of the Route 372 Commercial Gateway

2006 and early 2007 have seen an explosion of activity in the Route 372 gateway. The area stretches along Connecticut Route 372 (Berlin Road) from the intersection with Route 9 in the east and I-91 in the west. Four major commercial development projects are currently underway.

The first to be completed will be Hammer Head Place. The project will remake the site of a former Asian restaurant and 7-11 retail store and replace these abandoned structures with viable retail including a Walgreen’s Store, American Eagle Federal Credit Union and an additional three thousand square feet of retail

Almost across the road from Hammer Head Place is the Cobblestone Plaza. Another great project by Premier Builders, this project, when completed, will include a CVS, Staples and Starbucks. The ambitious project will provide an excellent use of the Town’s commercial property.

Another Premier project is Willow Brook Plaza. This mixed-use project will provide additional retail development, a medical office for a local dental practice and additional development opportunities that may include a top national restaurant chain.

Finally, Lowes is working to develop a site for its new 130,000 square foot retail center. The project will bring additional retail opportunities, more than 100 jobs and significant tax revenue to this blossoming community.