STRATFORD – Citing the town’s ability to save $2 million in electric costs by installing solar panels in schools, the continued strength of defense contractor Sikorsky Aircraft, and the myriad real estate developments, Mayor Laura Hoydick declared the town to be strong both financially and economically.
She made the comments during a “Conversation with the Business Community” hosted by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) and Milford Bank at the Blackhawk Country Club on Tuesday.
“Over the years we made major progress in diversifying revenue and in longterm sustainability,” Hoydick told the attendees. “A key initiative was installing solar panels on six schools using energy grants. We expected them to pay for themselves in just 3 1/2 years while improving clean energy for over 20 years. We also secured steady rental income by leasing space for (solar) cells generation. Together, these efforts generated over $2 million in savings and revenue.”
She added that with that extra revenue the town would be able to offset a half-mill in taxes. Such savings combined with Stratford’s balanced budgets the past six years has allowed the town to become financially sound, Hoydick said. The town closed 2024 with a $6.1 million surplus, raising the town balance to $27.7 million, more than tripling what we had in recent years, she said.
Current development projects
While Hoydick addressed all of the nearly 60 members of the BRBC at the luncheon, she did single out such companies as Sikorsky Aircraft, Avangrid (owner of United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas), and Ashcroft Precision Instruments. Those are just some of the companies that are major taxpayers and employers in Stratford. In the case of UI and SCG, the power companies have been integral in the energy efficiency plans put forth by Hoydick.
She cited Sikorsky’s recent contract with the Israeli Ministry of Defense to build CH-53K helicopters for the Israeli Air Force. Israel purchased 12 of those helicopters as part of a foreign military sales contract with the U.S. government.
Additionally, Hoydick pointed to the many developments and renovations taking place in town. The Republican mayor has led Stratford since 2017. Prior to that, she served as the state representative from the 120th District. She was also executive director of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce from 2003-2007.
Those projects she pointed to include:
- Development of Stratford Army Engine Plant Property (formerly Avco) – The environmental remediation contractor performing the tidal flats portion of the project, ENTACT, has begun dredging of the tidal flats with anticipated completion by mid-2026. Meanwhile, demolition and remediation of the buildings on the upland is occurring and fill is being brought in. The Sniffens Lane portion of the property should be ready for development by the end of the year.
- Greenway Phase III – The town is working with the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize the project scope. The engineering firm WSP USA has been hired to design the third extension of the Greenway Trail. The project will accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians along the Route 130 portion of Ferry Boulevard (between Elm Street and the Devon Bridge).
- Former Center School Property (1000 East Broadway) – Romano Brothers Builders has signed a contract to purchase the 3+ acre former Center School Property from the Town of Stratford and to develop an apartment complex in this transit-oriented district.
- Contract Plating (540 Longbrook Ave.) – Fuel cell provider HyAxiom has invested approximately $30 million and has signed a 20-year lease for the southwest corner of the former Contract Plating property where they will install 11 fuel cells. The installation should take six to seven months to complete. The fuel cell system will be gas-powered and will generate approximately 5 MW of power continuously, totaling over 44,000 MWh annually, helping to support a decentralized power grid. The fuel cells are scheduled to be delivered to the site sometime this month.
- Parkway Plaza (behind Ryder’s Landing) – Phase II of the new development will be a boutique waterfront hotel and the last phase will consist of a mixed-use building with a restaurant, along with an additional restaurant along the street front.
- Raymark Superfund Clean-up – The excavation is complete along the Ferry Boulevard Corridor. The next area scheduled for cleanup is 576 Ferry Blvd. and Shore Road. The Raybestos property to which the remediated material has been transported will be capped and ready for development by September of this year.
- The Village of Stratford (apartment building) – The completion of The Village, Stratford’s newest 103-unit apartment complex located within Stratford’s Historic and Transit Oriented District, at 2009-2019 Main St. The 3-acre site will preserve and restore the historic Lillie Devereux Blake House, creating four apartments. The complex will include a 5,500 square-foot amenity area. Plans are to open in 2026.
- Stratford Performing Arts Complex – The town is working with the EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers and the architectural firm Svigals + Partners, to coordinate future improvements to the property, which will likely happen in conjunction with the EPA’s upcoming remediation of Shore Road. The Town Council voted to award a $461K contract to Svigals to oversee the renovation and expansion of the 200-year-old John Benjamin House into a new community arts center.
“By fully funding education and working closely with the superintendent, the state of the credit ratings Stratford delivers responsible growth without sacrificing services,” Hoydick said. “From scenic coastlines to vibrant neighborhoods, Stratford shows off its natural beauty and inclusive government. Stratford is strong.”
