DERBY – City officials are applying for a $250,000 grant from the state to create a conceptual development plan for the Fountain Lake Industrial Park.
The Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen unanimously voted Dec. 11, 2025 to authorize Mayor Joseph DiMartino to sign the application. There was no discussion among the elected officials before voting.
The application is scheduled to be submitted to the state’s Department of Economic & Community Development. Submitting an application does not mean the project will be funded.
The land collectively known as Fountain Lake straddles the borders of Ansonia, Seymour and Derby, not far from Tri-Town Plaza, a shopping center. The land was previously owned by the Ansonia-Derby Water Co.
Farrel Pomini, formerly Farrel Corp. opened its headquarters in the Ansonia section of the property in 2017 after former Mayor David Cassetti’s administration committed $1 million to help build a road into the property.
For years Derby has been looking at various options to spur development on the approximate 30 acres it owns there.
City officials hope to see a road extend into the land and then create 12 manufacturing lots, which could benefit economically distressed Derby’s tax base.
The application to the DECD for a conceptual plan is the first of many steps to see development become a reality.
The application asks for:
- $20,000 to conduct boundary, topographic and existing condition surveys
- Between $7,500 and $25,000 for environmental assessments
- $15,000 to conduct subsurface soil testing to determine suitability for a road and building foundations
- $30,000 for a conceptual plan showing the road alignment, utility corridors and the lot layout
- $35,000 to develop preliminary road and utility engineering plans
- $25,000 for a market feasibility and economic impact study
- $8,000 to conduct meetings with city officials, residents and others for feedback
The items listed above would take about six months to complete, according to the application.