Selectmen, Economic Development Agency to Focus on Main Street, Collinsville

While the Board of Selectmen and members of a local agency discussed numerous aspects of economic development Wednesday, trying to secure grant funding for beautification of Main Street in Collinsville emerged as a priority.

First Selectman Richard Barlow said Collinsville represents the town’s largest chance for substantial economic growth.

“The one area where we have an opportunity is Collinsville," Barlow said adding the town should do "anything that we can do to move that section of town along.” 

While Kevin Jackson, chairman of the Economic Development Agency, said he has not had success discussing the issue with one partnership, he and selectmen agreed the agency could research additional opportunities with the state and other groups. The town would submit any actual applications.

Barlow also broached on a subject that hasn’t been discussed much publicly in recent months, redevelopment of the former Collins Company factory complex.

“If we can get something to enhance downtown Collinsville, I think it enhances that effort,” Barlow said.

Jackson said the factory is top priority but had not been discussed by the agency at the request of some in the private sector working on a redevelopment plan.

Barlow responded, “It doesn’t give me any value to hear that any more, later adding, “maybe there’s a role for the town. I’ve sat way too long.”

“It’s demolition by neglect,” added selectman Tom Sevigny.

Jackson conceded that there would be avenues the town could pursue if it got to that point.

The EDA did agree that Main Street efforts are a priority. It is in fact in a list of agency priorities.

The EDA said other top priorities include reaching out to small and large business, business retention, amenities improvements (a new garage, trails, a proposed high school track, Farmington River access, etc.), marketing (branding, updating the town web site) and completion of plans to map out the town's future and improve the land-use process. 

Also during the meeting, EDA member Glenn Arnold spoke about software he is developing to help businesses through the land-use process.

Arnold, who was reappointed to the agency Wednesday, said the software would help developers, business owners and members of land use boards navigate the process for each specific project. The software can be changed as Canton’s regulations or state laws do, he added.

Jackson said the EDA members are also planning, on an informal basis, to help businesses large and small as they come to town or existing ones take on projects.

“Basically we’re just trying to provide a Ritz Carlton concierge level of service,” Jackson said.

However, while they said the EDA could certainly offer input into other projects, selectmen said they felt some of those issues the EDA has emphasized, such as the land-use changes and the cost estimates of proposed bonding projects, should largely be left to the other boards and commissions studying those projects.

Earlier in the meeting, before unanimously reappointing Jackson to a term that expires in July 1, 2016, he and selectmen did have a fairly lengthy discussion about the EDA’s role in town and its relationship to the board and town employees. A recording of that discussion can be found at the town’s web site