A Ridgefield Economic Development Commission program packed with economic and quality-of-life incentives helped draw Ceponis Financial Group to the town recently.
“After carefully evaluating all the factors in selecting a new home for our business such as location, rent rates and convenience to town resources, the REDC incentive package was the deciding factor,” David Ceponis, president of Ceponis Financial Group, said in an REDC press release. CFG is relocating to 100 Danbury Road from Wilton.
The REDC places the value of the package at $30,000. It includes a six-month membership in the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, a Web page on Destination Ridgefield, a year”™s subscription for two to the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, a membership for each employee and admission for two to select performances at the Ridgefield Playhouse, and a one-year membership to the Ridgefield Golf Club for two for unlimited midweek rounds. The Ridgefield Recreation Center will offer every employee a 3-month family membership, and the gym will supply 10-day passes for all employees and a pair of one-month memberships with two training sessions. The Keeler Tavern Museum will supply a one-year membership for all employees and their immediate family members, and The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum will provide two passes for one year, with each pass accounting for up to five people.
For a business to avail itself of this incentive program before signing a lease or purchasing or building a property, it must request a brochure by emailing alight@ridgefieldct.org or calling 203-244-5929.
Ceponis said he learned about the program through Ceponis Financial Group”™s broker At Danbury-based Ryer Associates.
Arnold Light, chairman of the REDC, in the press release said the brochure is being distributed through the chamber of commerce, Town Hall, the first selectman”™s office, landlords and commercial real estate brokers. It is also posted on the commission’s website.
“The first thing a new business asks is what are the tax incentives your town offers,” Light said.
Light said the REDC favored including a town tax rebate for businesses in the package but it was rejected.
“This package could”™ve had a lot more impact if the town’s Board of Selectman would have agreed to a small tax rebate on a business’ personal property tax,” he said. “Unfortunately, they didn”™t take into account the value of new dollars coming into town as a result of new business and the 3x local dollar multiplier effect it could have on the town”™s economy.”
