Ridgefield is showing a welcoming face to businesses looking at moving to town.
The Ridgefield Economic Development Commission has devised an incentive program valued at more than $30,000 for businesses that sign leases, build, or purchase properties in Ridgefield.
The incentive package is geared to — but not limited to — attracting companies that would lease or build between 10,000 to 20,000 square feet of commercial space and have between 10 and 20 employees.
The wide variety of rewards offered include a six-month free trial membership in the Chamber of Commerce, and a free web page on the Chamber’s Destination Ridgefield website.
There’s a free year’s subscription for two to the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, as well as a free membership for each employee and admission for two to select performances at the Ridgefield Playhouse.
A one-year free membership to the Ridgefield Golf Course for two, for unlimited mid-week rounds, is offered by the town golf course, and the Recreation Center offers every employee in the business a three-month all-inclusive family membership.
The Gym will supply 10-day passes for all employees, and two one-month memberships with two training sessions.
The Keeler Tavern Museum will supply a free one-year membership to the incoming business, providing all the employees and their immediate family members with basic membership benefits. And the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum will provide two free passes for one year, with each pass including up to five people.
In addition, several Ridgefield banks will offer the new business free advice on how to save and manage transactions wisely through convenient and flexible bank products tailored to the specific business.
Arnold Light, chairman of the Ridgefield Economic Development Commission, said the incentive package was made possible by the organizations donating the various rewards.
“This program would not have been possible without the cooperation and generosity of the venues mentioned in the program brochure,” he said.
The program 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 is posted on the Economic Development Commission’s website: ridgefielddevelopment.com.
Mr. Light said the Economic Development Commission had tried to make a break in town taxes part of the incentive package.
“The first thing a new business asks is, ‘What are the tax incentives your town offers?’ This package could’ve had a lot more impact if the town’s Board of Selectmen would have agreed to a small tax rebate on a business’s personal property tax.
“It was presented to them but they rejected it, saying that the rebate would take tax revenue away from the town,” 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 ‘three times local dollar multiplier effect’ it could have on the town’s economy.”
In order for a business to avail itself of the incentive program, before signing a lease, or purchasing or building a property, it must request the four-color brochure Ridgefield Business Incentive Package by emailing alight@ridgefieldct.org or calling 203-244-5929.