Business Tax Break Expansion Eyed In Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The town's push to help local businesses has resulted in a new measure to expand the scope of how it doles out tax breaks for commercial operations.

A proposal to expand tax benefits for commercial operations is the subject of a Southington Town Council public hearing on Monday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m.in the municipal center, 200 N. Main St, Southington.

At issue is a proposal to revise local regulations allowing for significant tax breaks to qualifying operations outside the town's so-called enterprise zone.

The tax benefits subject to debate and, possibly, a town council vote on Monday, are for items outside the specially designated enterprise zone in town, where most development takes place.

These new tax breaks would be for operations conducting major improvements on their facilities and would amount to a 50 percent tax break from the town for five years.

This, especially, applies to operations like sports/recreation instruction; theatre organizations; sports teams/clubs; amusement/theme parks; and skiing facilities.

None of these tax breaks would be reimbursed by the state of Connecticut and all tax breaks are subject to town council approval of applications for them.

Currently, only operations and developments within the town's so-called "enterprise zone" are allowed.

Southingotn's enterprise zone tax benefits for manufacturers call for a five-year, 80 percent break on personal/real property taxes owed for five years.

Under this component, the town realizes a 50 percent reimbursement from the State of Connecticut.

In addition, commercial developers in the enterprise zone get a seven-year break on real estate taxes, with a 100 percent break the first two years, then a declining break scale of 50 to 10 percent over the next five years.

For more information on the proposed tax break proposal, click on this link.