Report: Economic Development Encompasses a Wide Variety of Factors

While Canton’s land-use process and its potential effects on business development has received much attention in the past several years, a recent report by a town agency states that the key to the town’s economic future involves much more.

Certainly land use, the number of boards and commissions and the time it’s taken to revamp the town’s zoning regulations are part of a recent report by the town’s Economic Development Agency. (See the report attached to this story).

The report, however, also advocates enhancing town’s look and image, rebranding Canton and Collinsville, exploring increased grant and partnership opportunities, modernizing and maintaining a property inventory on the town web site, fixing and adding infrastructure, and even expanding green space as crucial pieces to the economic puzzle.  

Canton needs to reduce its 85 percent reliance on taxpayers for services and needs some an additional $40 million in tax positive property, according to the report. However, the agency understands the diverse opinions in town and the need to keep commercial growth in certain areas and enhance recreation and open space in others,chairman Kevin Jackson said.

“We are a consensus-drive group,” Jackson said. “We are looking for what the town wants and we are working in that direction.”

The further development of green space is even beneficial to the town’s economy, Jackson added, citing the visitor's the Farmington River Trail brings to town. 

“Green space is hugely important to us,” he said.

In its recommendations, the agency even adopted some suggestions from a student-run charrette – such as the extension of the Farmington River Trail behind the Shoppes at Farmington Valley and a Farmington River walkway.

Jackson, however, does feel the town has often been too negative when it comes to improving the town.

The agency is looking to put the “Can” back in Canton, he said.

The report make several suggestions when it comes to infrastructure and advocates projects in a suggested bonding packaging such as roofs, roads and a track and field project at the high school. It also supports a "lower cost" town garage and while estimates are being refined, Jackson feels the current one of nearly $7 million is much too high.

When it comes to Land Use, the agency has echoed the sentiments of some business advocates in town, saying the process is inconsistent, time consuming and that a zoning rewrite has lingered for too long.

EDA members can also help analyze the land-use property, continue to identify tax base value targets and enhance economic activity and help identify grant opportunities, according to the report.

The agency is also working on a new land-use initiative, Jackson said. Members Glenn Arnold, incorporating ideas from Town Planner Neil Pade, is working on software that will create customized flow charts for business applicants to help them navigate the process.

First Selectman Richard Barlow said it would be a great addition. 

“That’s an exciting piece,” Barlow said.

In all, the report is a good one, Barlow said.

“We’re pleased they incorporated a number of issues selectmen and the town have been talking about,” he said.

Selectmen Tom Sevigny agreed.

“It kind of parallels what the Board of Selectmen has been doing, which is good,” Sevigny said.

As a past president of the Canton Advocates for Responsible Expansion, which has sometimes spoken against some large-scale retail proposals, Sevigny said he is not at all offended by the report’s notation of "frequent vociferous opposition to commercial development.”

A better plan, more specific regulations and design standards are needed, Sevigny said.

“People will know exactly what’s going to be happening,” he said.

And while it’s no secret there’s been some tension between Jackson and some selectmen, Sevigny said it’s his hope and belief the groups can move past that to work on some specific and common goals.

“I see the Board of Selectmen and the EDA coming together,” he said. “In my opinion, we have the same goals and objectives.”

Later this month, selectmen will likely meet with the EDA to discuss the report and what steps to take next.

The EDA’s report is attached to this story. More on the agency’s activities can also be found on its page on the town Web site.  Jackson said anyone with ideas and concerns is welcome to contact him at Kjackson62@comcast.net or (860) 543-3435.