NWCT CEDS and Action Agenda
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Northwest Connecticut Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy and Action Agenda
Objective/Initiative #2: Commercial/industrial property analysis and
marketing
Objective/Initiative Description: Analyze existing and available commercial/industrial
sites for potential reuse or potential deconstruction and assure that available properties are
listed on the CERC SiteFinder Inventory and other appropriate locations.
This Initiative Supports Goal 2 - Brownfields/Commercial Real Estate/Construction
Background Information
In most business recruitment efforts, the availability of suitable real estate ranks as one of the
critical elements. Frequently, this can be an important component of business retention and
expansion as well. For Northwestern Connecticut, reuse of brownfield sites is also important.
A review of listings in CERC’s SiteFinder inventory for the 20 communities in the region found
66 available buildings totaling more than 1.1 million square feet (of which nearly 783,000 is in
Torrington), but only 26 sites totaling 485 acres (of which 20 totaling 100 acres are in
Winchester, 2 sites totaling 275 acres are in New Hartford, and 1 site of 95 acres is in
Litchfield). While 15 of the region’s 20 communities have at least one available building, only 5
of the communities have an available site for business development.
Several important points are obvious from even a cursory look at these listings:

First, the list is incomplete because it depends on a voluntary listing of properties with
CERC; therefore, this information understates the region’s commercial and industrial real
estate resources. Many brownfield properties are probably not included at all.

Second, those resources must be effectively marketed to maximize the region’s
competitiveness for obtaining and retaining businesses.

Third, not all of the available real estate is of equal utility in the competitive marketplace;
some buildings do not meet the needs of modern industry, and some sites are not “shovelready”.

Fourth, many vacant brownfield sites are not listed with CERC. These sites, which usually
have existing utilities, need particular attention. Their abandonment and/or underutilization
often create significant obstacles to local revitalization efforts.
Real estate available for commercial development can be an important regional asset. This
Objective/Initiative aims at better quantifying that asset by preparing an objective evaluation of
properties that are usable as is, those that require improvement, and those where older
development should be removed and replaced with new construction. Emphasis will be placed
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Northwest Connecticut Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and Action Agenda
NWCT CEDS and Action Agenda
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on returning brownfield sites to productive use. In addition, the Objective seeks to increase
property marketing efforts by having more available properties listed in the SiteFinder Inventory
or marketed more effectively by other means. If/when DECD establishes a Certified Sites
program, suitable sites should be included on the list.
Objective/Initiative #2 Major Action Steps and Schedule
Action Steps
Schedule
1. Appoint a person or group to be responsible for this Objective.
2. Create an outline of factors to be evaluated in assessing the region’s
commercial real estate inventory.
3. Design a Site and Building Information Template for collection of
information needed to complete an assessment.
4. Select a process through which sites and buildings will be evaluated,
and identify specific outcomes of this evaluation process.
5. Working with community representatives, prepare a master list of
properties to be evaluated.
6. Assure that all appropriate properties are included in the CERC
SiteFinder Inventory.
7. Carry out the evaluation process.
8. Prepare a Site and Building Evaluation Report on the results of the
evaluation process and recommended next steps.
9. If/when DECD establishes a Certified Sites program, take action to
have suitable sites included on the list.
10. Identify other methods for marketing the region’s available
commercial and industrial properties.
11. Implement other recommendations from the Site and Building
Evaluation Report.
2nd Qtr 2014
2nd Qtr 2014
2nd Qtr 2014
2nd Qtr 2014
3rd Qtr 2014
4th Qtr 2014 and
Ongoing
3rd & 4th Qtrs 2014
1st Qtr 2015
As appropriate
Ongoing
As appropriate
Responsibility
Primary:

Support:

NWCTEDEC

Municipal Economic Development
Commissions
Litchfield County Commercial Real Estate
Agencies
Resources Needed
Funding:


Other:


Item
Project support
SiteFinder Annual
Membership
Implementation Support
Staff and volunteer time
Amount
$1,000
$550 per
year
Unknown



Possible Sources
NWCTEDC Budget
Real estate brokers
Property owners
Performance Measures


Master list of properties developed by September 2014
Site and Building Evaluation Report issued by March 2015
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Northwest Connecticut Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and Action Agenda
NWCT CEDS and Action Agenda
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Occupancy or development of property evaluated in this initiative occurs by July 2016
Timeframe
This Initiative is:
 Short-term
 Intermediate-term
 Long-term
 Continuing
(1-2 years)
(3-5 years)
(5+ years)
Implementation
Additional Information
To access CERC’s SiteFinder Inventory, go to: http://cerc.zoomprospector.com/
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Northwest Connecticut Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and Action Agenda