In my short time since arriving on the scene as Southbury’s first Economic Development Director, I have received a warm welcome by the community. Some have expressed their curiosity as to what a person in my position actually does. Others have an inkling, but are wary of it; cautioning me not to change what makes Southbury special. I assure them, fear not, I am not here to do that. Quite the contrary. The aim of economic development is to enhance the community in positive ways.
Increasing the commercial tax base is one measure of economic growth, but if in by doing so you make the Town less desirable to live in, then you’ve not done it properly. Each commercial opportunity sought, or received, should be viewed through the lens of the needs and desires of the community.
Southbury is a carefully well-planned town, attractive to people looking for a place to live and do business. Its location, between Danbury and Waterbury, with multiple access points to Interstate 84, make it inevitably desirable for commercial and residential development, and admired by its neighboring towns. However, Southbury has been a cautionary tale. Concern for decades that the town could morph into a city has informed its approach to growth. Not a criticism, rather an observation.
Economic development is a team sport. To better understand how we got here and where we’re going, I have been on a listening (and reading) tour, meeting with internal and external stakeholders, commercial developers, business owners and residents, discussing a wide range of topics, to learn what economic opportunities Southbury should consider, while simultaneously reviewing the many existing plans for the town. These include the POCD [Plan of Conservation and Development], the Strategic Plan Commission’s report, current zoning regulations and other professionally commissioned dossiers.
I encourage the reader to find the Business tab on the Town website: www.southbury-ct.org and see a new checklist on how to Start a Business in Southbury. Next will be an Available Commercial Properties list and a Grand Openings photo gallery highlighting new businesses that have opened.
I will continue to update and educate readers on Southbury’s economic and development efforts in the coming issues. Until then, fear not.
Kevin Bielmeier
Economic Development Director
Town of Southbury
EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov
(203) 262-0683
[This article first appeared in Southbury Neighbors magazine.]