On her second fact-finding tour to Fairfield County, Joan McDonald got an earful.
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development commissioner hosted a forum Jan. 22 at the University of Connecticut Stamford, soliciting feedback for a statewide economic strategy due in July 2009. It was one of three meetings on the calendar for Fairfield County, along with a Jan. 10 gathering at the University of Bridgeport, and a Jan. 29 confab at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
Whereas Bridgeport attendees made general recommendations for improving education, housing and health care, McDonald listened to specific proposals from the Business Council of Fairfield County (BFBC) and others from the city, which has set the economic pace in Connecticut this decade thanks to a surge in employment by financial services companies.
In prepared remarks, BFBC CEO Chris Bruhl proposed the state establish a $1 billion housing trust fund, expanding the Connecticut Housing Authority”™s second mortgage program to encourage home ownership for cash-strapped employees in the area.
While praising Gov. M. Jodi Rell”™s commitment to investments in rail and bus systems, BCFC argued for:
Ӣ tolls on major state roadways;
Ӣ an improved rail station in Stamford and more frequent service;
Ӣ direct service to Penn Station in Manhattan;
Ӣ joint project planning with Westchester County and the Bronx; and
Ӣ increased bus service to reduce congestion on streets.
To improve the state”™s top cultural and tourist attractions, BCFC proposed a “Connecticut Treasures Challenge Fund” to offer matching funds for facility and endowment campaigns; and called for a 300 percent increase in grants to such institutions through tax increases.
BCFC also requested streamlined procedures for new power generators and increased funding for fuel cells, which produce electricity without harmful emissions.
Some Fairfield County observers have testified at hearings in other cities, including Winthrop Baum, a Norwalk commercial real estate broker who spoke in New Haven Jan. 8.
“We”™re out there trying to sell Connecticut on a daily basis, literally,” Baum said of his real estate peers. “It”™s not an easy chore. We are up against a lot of competition, and, unfortunately, what we”™ve been running into is a lot of push back from companies outside the area.
“For the last few years what we have been doing as commercial brokers is simply moving companies around the state,” Baum continued. “I don’t have to tell you, that”™s a recipe for disaster, and our economic forecasts show that if we do not start getting new companies coming into this state, we”™re going to be in deep economic trouble.”
