Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1547355
HBJ | 2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS 16 | HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM Groton officials said zoning, a clear development process and a knowledgeable staff are equally essential. "All of these things are key pieces, and if we're missing one, it's a three-legged stool," said Reiner. "If we miss one, the stool's going out." In Hartford, Benjamin, who has been in his position for about a year, said the city has adopted a more active approach to pursuing projects. He wants Hartford to get "at the negotiating table" rather than default to what he called a "rubber stamp no." BALANCING GROWTH Efforts to attract development must also account for the concerns of existing residents. Groton holds recurring public events called "community conversations" to explain proposed zoning or housing changes before a project reaches a hearing, said Piazza. Officials discuss the potential benefits while also addressing residents' concerns. Norwalk requires housing developments to include affordable units through its inclusionary zoning regulation, helping ensure that new units do not serve only the top of the market, Habansky said. In Stamford, a sustainability ordinance requires new developments to include solar panels or green roofs. The requirement is intended to allow continued growth while maintaining the city's environmental standards, according to Kagan. So, what separates one Connecticut city or town from another when it comes to attracting new businesses and development? Municipal officials say it is rarely one factor, but rather a community's ability to recognize its strengths, respond to changing market demands and make development easier without sacrificing local priorities. Santos said development should produce financial benefits and quality-of-life improvements that residents can see, rather than be judged only by headline job numbers. McMahon s aid municipalities mus t be realistic about the projects they can attract and establish processes to help bring them to fruition. Reiner described a constant search for balance — avoiding becoming " too developer friendly " at residents' expense while not imposing restrictions that cause the town to stagnate. For Benjamin, attracting development starts with a basic question. "Very simply, are you open for business?" he said. Municipalities use mix of incentives By Clarissa Garza P roperty tax abatements were once the default tool Connecticut municipalities used to lure commercial development. That's no longer universally true. Many cities and towns — including Hartford, Danbury, Windsor and Norwalk — still use them in some form, but in narrower and more targeted ways. Other municipalities, such as Stamford and Groton, have moved further away, leaning instead on tools such as tax increment financing, discounted sales of publicly owned property and state and federal grants for infrastructure, housing and small-business assistance. The result is a patchwork of approaches to attracting new development and business activity, economic development officials say. SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Hartford Economic Development Director Jack Benjamin described property tax abatements as nearly essential for housing and rehabilitation projects in Hartford. The city's five-year property revaluation cycle creates uncertainty for lenders trying to evaluate a project over a longer period, he said. Without an abatement, the numbers to move a project from concept to reality often do not work, especially in a city with one of the highest mill rates (68.95) in the state. In Danbury, Economic and Community Development Advisor Farley Santos said the city offers tiered property tax abatements, with the percentage declining each year. Windsor generally reserves abatements for manufacturers and projects expected to have a significant fiscal impact, typically those adding at least $60 million in taxable value. The town has granted abatements for fewer than 10 projects, including two Amazon distribution facilities and two large office buildings, said Windsor Director of Economic Development Patrick McMahon. Norwalk offers abatements through its enterprise zone program but generally does not negotiate them on a project-by-project basis outside that framework, said Jay Habansky, the city 's chief of economic and community development. "We certainly would consider it for the right opportunity, but we don't have a formal abatement program offering tax credits to businesses," Habansky said. "We want businesses to come here because they want to be here." TIF DISTRICTS Stamford has moved almost entirely away from traditional tax abatements, except for affordable housing developments, said Leah Kagan, the city's director of economic development. Instead, the city has used tax increment financing in connection with two major projects: Harbor Point, where former industrial properties in Stamford's South End have been redeveloped with housing, offices and other uses; and Mill River Park, a downtown green space that has anchored nearby development. TIF allows a municipality to use some of the New Playbook Continued from page 15