ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS REPORT 4/17/08

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS REPORT 4/17/08=

Submitted by Joe Seacrist

1.&n= bsp; Working with Joe McGrail’s invaluable help to have discussions with several l= ocal manufacturers concerning restructuring their debt. In concert with that, have spoken = with the state DECD to see what help they might be.

2.&n= bsp; Met with state Representative Sean Williams concerning the possible location of various new businesses in Wate= rtown.

3.&n= bsp; The Postal Service has requested a meeting with Chuck Frigon, Peg Durkee and me in the next several weeks to reveal to = us the results of their advertisement for real estate in Watertown for a new post office.

4.&n= bsp; Tamarack has gained “Draft” approval from the CT Siting Council for their Watertown Power Plant by a vote of 6-0.&nb= sp; It is highly unusual for the Siting Council to change their opinion between the draft approval stage and the final approval stage. Tamarack now has to get several pe= rmits from the DEP. The DEP recently allowed them to put their interconnection lines to the grid above ground ve= rsus their prior requirement that the lines be buried. Now Tamarack and the DEP have to a= gree on fees for the easement into the state forest, and agree on a price for the timber which will be harvested for the interconnection line pathway.

5.&n= bsp; Acted as Master of Ceremonies for the Watertown/Oakville Chamber of Commerce Annu= al legislative breakfast, where Rob Kane and Sean Williams gave very informative presentations and answered questions concerning pending legislation in Hartford.

6.&n= bsp; Attended a day long seminar in Newingto= n on “When Hollywood comes knocking” sponsored by the CT Commissi= on on Culture and Tourism. It was extremely useful in providing copies of applications for filming in Watertown, and co= pies of legal “Hold Harmless” agreements between film makers and the Town. It also helped with dea= ling with potential parking and congestion problems while filming.

7.&n= bsp; Had discussions with a film location manager concerning a movie which will be filmed in early May, primarily at Taft, but also requesting outside driving scenes to be shot on North= Street between Woodruff Street and Warren Way. I’ve sent them a detailed questionnaire which they promised to return to me this week, detailing where they plan to shoot and when.

8.&n= bsp; Got official news that Baldwi= n School was not the = first choice for the filming of the Wes Craven new film.

9.&n= bsp; Working with Lisa Carew, mailed approximately 150 invitations and applications to a= rea merchants and farms soliciting them for participation in the Farmer’s Market.

10.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Working with Ed Godin of Matthews Real Estate to determ= ine several locations for possible small manufacturers to build in Watertown.

11.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Continuing discussions with Jim Mullen, formerly of the Waterbury Oversight Committee, concerning some possible cooperation between Watertow= n and Waterbury on economic development issues.

12.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Provided some possible Straits Turnpike locations to Don Orsini for one of his clients who would like to find a business location on that street.

13.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Had telephone conversations with a national consultant who has been hired by a large drugstore chain to find potential real estate locations in Watertown.

14.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Have been working with Mark Tedesco in helping him find tenants for his new R= 20;Candee Hill Junction” retail buildings and his property in the industrial park.

15.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Working with Donna Bonasera= on finalizing plans for the EDC “Meet and Greet” to be held at her location in the middle of May.

16.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Continue working with Zenographics on the final touches to our web-site renovation w= hich should be completed by the time of this EDC monthly meeting.

17.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Attended the Monthly Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Board of Director’s meeting, where one of the main topics was how to respond to some legislative critici= sms of the hiring of John Rowland.

18.&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Received official notification that our grant application for a cooperative Marketing program was denied by the Ct. Commission on Culture and Tourism. We had app= lied for a $15,000 matching grant for a Watertown Main Street Marketing plan and funds for an advertising campaign designed to drive tourists to shop in downtown Watertown= .