City of Ansonia Strategic Plan Presentation

7/27/2019 City of Ansonia Strategic Plan Presentation

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ACS Consulting

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Economic Development

Strategic Plan - City ofAnsonia

Prepared by Peter Kelly


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Issue 1:

Promote and Generate Redevelopment Activities

in the Downtown City Center & Throughout Ansonia


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1a. Designate staff resources to more effectively facilitate development

activities

Deliverables: Hiring of an Economic Development Director to serve as ombudsperson for

businesses and development projects and initiatives.

Benchmarks: Hiring process to be completed in June/July 2013

Responsible Parties: City Council, Economic Development Board

1b. Provide assistance and resources to Washington Management to facilitate

the redevelopment of Farrel properties

Deliverables: Meet with Mr. Moustapha Diakhateto determine the developers needs, such

as environmental surveying and remediation, capital acquisition, site plan approval, and

tenant acquisition; Work with Mr. Diakhate and his staff to more fully understand any issues

(e.g, structural integrity, asbestos, environmental contamination) that might compromiseredevelopment efforts; Assist in identifying and securing the resources necessary (e.g., New

Market Tax Credits, EPA Brownfield Remediation funding) to insure the projects success.

Benchmarks: Introductory and periodic meetings with Mr. Diakhate to provide assistance

and resources, and collect informationImmediate and ongoing.

Responsible Parties: City Council, Economic Development Board, City Staff (Economic

Development, Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Utilities, and Public Safety).

1c. Assemble and implement an automated process for monitoring and tracking

of Commercial Development projects and initiatives

Deliverables: Near termProcess developed and staff participants identified for bi-

weekly review/update meetings; Internal reports developed and distributed bi-weekly to

Planning, Public Works, Utilities, Public Safety, and Economic Development. Long term

Purchase and deploy an automated system to track projects and issues.

Benchmarks: List of meeting participants assembled. Bi-weekly meetings of participants to

begin August 2013. Automated system procured at the earliest opportunity once funds

become available.

Responsible Parties: City Council, Economic Development Board, City Staff (Administration,Economic Development, Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Utilities, and Public Safety).

1d. Development and implementation of a grant-writing strategy that focuses

on securing funds to improve Ansonias transportation infrastructure and

built environment


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Deliverables: Funding sources identified for key projects, with special emphasis on the City

Center and the promotion of Transit Oriented Development (TOD); Maintain partnership

with Valley Council of Governments to assist in the planning, selection, and approval of

ConnDOT and FHWA projects initiated in accordance with the approved Transportation

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Benchmarks: Projects initiated and completed in accordance with specific individual project

design schedules

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development, Public Works)

1e. Establish an expedited review process for site plans and building permits

Deliverables: Establish informal priority permitting process; Develop Fast-Track and

expedited review processes and procedures.

Benchmarks: Distribution of surveys and facilitation of input sessions with development

communityFall 2013; Formal Fast Track process developed and implemented once data

is compiled and analyzed.

Responsible Parties: City Council, Economic Development Board, City Staff (Administration,

Economic Development, Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Utilities, and Public Safety).

1f. Create Form Based Code for Redevelopment Areas, including design

guidelines that encourage walkable areas conducive to street cafs,

targeted retail, and wireless opportunities in an urban setting

Deliverables: Form Based Code for Redevelopment Areas by 2014.

Benchmarks: Staff Draft completed by Spring 2014.

Responsible Parties: City Council, Economic Development Board, City Staff (Administration,

Economic Development, Planning, Public Works, Utilities, and Public Safety).


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Issue 2:

Create Economic Development Incentives Program
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=hhFEItsfnaGFjM&tbnid=q-Vk_vOJGcIkUM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.greenpointep.com/&ei=343IUbWAG4764AONjIDgDA&psig=AFQjCNFmbyaWkO1-UM_Q3-IZkoZ-bOK-ZQ&ust=1372184378345007


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2a. Development of City of Ansonia Incentives Program to generate

competitive position

Deliverables: Assemble draft list of incentive programs for targeted industries. Examples

include: tax abatement and special tax rates on Biotech and IT/Data Center equipment, fee

waivers for site plans, building permits, and rezoning in Enterprise Zones andRedevelopment areas; Ratification and marketing of Incentives Program; Evaluation of

offers for commercial/industrial development and applications for incentives.

Benchmarks: Preliminary analysis of and draft list of potential incentive programs

assembled by Staff for review by Economic Development Board and City CouncilFall

2013; Ratification and marketing of Incentives ProgramWinter 2013.


Development, Finance, Administration).

2b. Creation and utilization of alternative financing options to stimulateincreased development activity

Deliverables: Establishment and authorization of Community Development Authorities (e.g.,

Industrial Revenue Bond Board) and/or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to fund

infrastructure costs in support of commercial/industrial development.

Benchmarks: Joint Economic Development Board/City Council workshop on CDAs/TIFs

Winter 2013; Creation of TIF Districts/CDAs to support and encourage economic

development opportunitiesSummer 2014.

Responsible Parties: City Council, Economic Development Board, City Staff (Administration,Economic Development, Planning and Zoning, Public Works, and Utilities).

2c. Consideration and research of a Tourism Zone to attract tourism related

amenities and activities in Ansonia

Deliverables: Evaluation/feasibility assessment of Tourism Zone (particularly in the

downtown area) with focus on attraction and development of higher-end hotels and

restaurants.

Benchmarks: Feasibility study/assessment - Spring 2014.


Development).


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Issue 3:

Increase Awareness of Economic Development

Opportunities in Ansonia


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3a. Launch an aggressive marketing campaign to highlight Ansonias business

and development advantages

Deliverables: Assemble and codify a comprehensive marketing strategy; Produce and

deploy printed, online, and media pieces that are consistent with Ansonias long-term

economic development goals and highlight new Charging Ahead brand, newly developedIncentives Program, Enterprise Zone ordinance, workforce development capacities, and

community resources.

Benchmarks: Announce completion of Strategic Economic Development Plan and new

Charging Ahead brand July 2013; Draft and disseminate RFP for services to pursue a

firm that offers abilities to integrate web design, graphics support, paid media buy

experience, and offers a robust background in economic development and tourism (NOTE:

This RFP should make it a requirement that the firm have specific expertise in marketing to

and attracting retail entities, and demonstrate and ability to assist in implementing

Facebook, Twitter and other new and emerging social media technologies; As funding

becomes available, execute paid campaign utilizing print, online, and mass media outlets.


Development.

3b. Creation of a cooperative marketing initiative to leverage limited Ansonia

dollars with business dollars

Deliverables: Develop plan of action and implementation strategy to share resources with

area partnersChamber of Commerce, VCOG, CT Department of Economic and

Community Developmentto promote Ansonia.

Benchmarks: Complete planFall 2013; Begin implementation of planWinter 2013. If

Successful in obtaining buy-in from the private sector, first advertisements could be launched

in early 2014.


Development), regional partners.


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Issue 4:

Enhance Small Business Assistance Programs


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4a. Develop a comprehensive list of existing programs and partners offering

support to small businesses

Deliverables: Develop products and literature listing and describing all local, regional, and

state programs available to the small business community that assist with marketing, capital

acquisition, sales growth, management, and general business development.

Benchmarks: Creation of a Doing Business in Ansonia brochure Winter 2013; Updates

to the Citys Economic Development webpage to include a complete list of links to small

business support resources offered locally, regionally, and at the state and federal

government levelsWinter 2013.

Responsible Parties: Economic Development Board, Staff (Economic Development)

4b. Improve and develop mechanisms for informing business community about

program offerings

Deliverables: Develop and assemble program information/materials for distribution in

Economic Development office, on website, through BRE visits, and through other general

correspondence; Include program representatives on invitation lists from the Citys Economic

Development Department for business community functions to promote in-person networking;

Advocate for entrepreneurs by proactively providing local government assistance and help

address issues and challenges.

Benchmarks: Information posted to Citys Economic Development website and print

materials made available to area small businessesWinter 2013.

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development Department)

4c. Monitor use of external business assistance programs to determine

exposure and effectiveness in serving businesses in Ansonia

Deliverables: Work with local, state and federal program representatives to gather reports

of use in Ansonia on semi-annual or annual basis.

Benchmarks: Comprehensive review of support servicesSummer 2014

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development Department)

4d. Provide walk-in business start-up consultation services

Deliverables: Personal assistance and business consultation services offered to walk-in

visitors to the Economic Development Office, using referral model.

Benchmarks: Business start-up packages made available for distribution, contact

information for walk-ins captured and added to the Economic Development database, and


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coordination with other City departments and area program providers who assist new

businesses to increase the longevity of business start-ups.

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development)


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Issue 5:

Create Opportunities to Solicit Additional Input on

Economic Development Policies from the Private Sector


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5a. Development and implementation of ongoing Business Retention and

Expansion (BRE) visitation program

Deliverables: Distribution of the BRE survey to at least 100 existing Ansonia businesses

annually, followed by site visits to assess satisfaction levels and identify concerns, company

specific needs, and common themes; Enter results into BRE database (e.g. Executive Pulse)and report out annually.

Benchmarks: Face-to-face visits with at least 100 local businesses annually; Resolution of

issues identifies, as possible/appropriate

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development, other departments as required)

5b. Conduct development process surveys and focus groups with development

industry representatives and City staff to identify opportunities for

improvement of development regulations and processes

Deliverables: Circulation and dissemination of development process surveys and facilitation

of focus groups, followed by compilation of a report; Distribution of internal surveys and

facilitation of internal focus groups with report; Compilation of Development Improvement

Action Plan.

Benchmarks: Internal and external surveys completedSpring 2014; Focus sessions held

and data collectedSummer 2014; Draft Development Improvement Action Plan available

for reviewFall 2014.

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development, Public Works, Planning, Utilities,

Public Safety, Administration), VCOG

5c. Promote continuous proactive outreach through e-newsletter and other

available means

Deliverables: Develop and distribute e-newsletter highlighting the Economic Development

Departments accomplishments and ongoing projects/initiatives; Coordinate and collaborate

with area and regional partners on quarterly business related forums

Benchmarks: E-newsletter ready for distributionWinter 2013; Business forums hosted

ongoing beginning Spring 2014.

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development, Administration) in cooperation with

regional counterparts


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Issue 6:

Improve Ansonias Ability to Retain and Attract a High

Quality Workforce


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6a. Improve Quality of Life by expanding recreational facilities

Deliverables: Earmark funds for use in expanding and improving recreational facilities in

the Citys Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); Research and consideration of bond initiative to

fund recreational facilities improvement projects.

Benchmarks: Identification of recreational facilities improvement projectsWinter 2013;

Inclusion of recreational facilities improvement projects in CIPSpring 2014

Responsible Parties: City Council, City Staff (Administration)

6b. Prepare current and future workforce to meet private sector needs

Deliverables: A formal document that summarizes and describes information gathered from

industry clusters, offers recommendations, and outlines a plan of action to maintain focus on

workforce development.

Benchmarks: Report completedSummer 2014.

Responsible Parties: City Staff (Economic Development), VCOG and other area partners


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Task List

Issue Deliverables Benchmarks ResponsibleParties

CompletionDate

AccomplishmentStatus

Notes/Comments

Documents

City of Ansonia Strategic Plan Presentation