Members of the State Bond Commission approved a $22 million tax incremental financing package for Bass Pro Shops to move into the Steelpointe Harbor development project in Bridgeport.
Forecasting future sales tax revenue, the state awarded the credits to help the store’s management develop its property across the harbor from downtown Bridgeport. The anchor tenant at Steelpointe Harbor, the store is expected to draw customers from New Jersey and New York.
Bridgeport Landing Development L.L.C., under RCI Marine Inc., is the project’s developer.
“The bond commission”™s approval means jobs, revenue and economic growth for the City,” said Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “A project of this scale and complexity requires a strong partnership between the public and private sector. With this vote, the state, city, and BLD have demonstrated their collective commitment to bringing Steelpointe to fruition.”
The retailer is the first to sign on to the 50-acre development project, which is expected to bring in up to two dozens new retailers and restaurants. For more than 20 years city officials have planned to develop the  property and have since spent more than $50 million preparing and cleaning the lot.
With the state’s bonding approval complete, news of which retailers will be moving in next are expected to be announced soon. The Bass Pro Shops store is expected to open within a year.
