As Derby’s newly elected chair of the Republican Town Committee, I would like to thank all who were in attendance at last Tuesday’s St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser at the CWV, and those who supported us as well.
Much was discussed by all regarding the lack of the state’s and city’s economic development, especially with the highly publicized closing of Derby’s Walmart.
The price of doing business in Connecticut is becoming greater and greater. This is never more evident when you begin to see the “mom and pop” stores such as Housatonic Lumber, Nutty Company, Marcucio Gardens, River Restaurant and Fortune Pavilion (to name a few) that were once the heartbeat of the city close their doors or seek other locations.
The decision making on the state level has had adverse effects on our small community. Malloy’s consistent tax increases combined with continuous efforts to cut funding of our local hospitals makes it hard for a city like Derby to not only bring in business but also to keep them here.
The implications of losing an anchor store such as WalMart are great.
I am referring to of course the loss of 150 employees, $19,162 a year in lost personal property tax, and foot traffic for the other businesses in the plaza.
What’s more discouraging is the fact that our mayor somehow tries to put a positive spin in last Thursday’s article in the Valley Independent Sentinel stating:
“It’s not great news for us, but it does open more retail space someone can get into. You can look at the good side — there’s more retail space. The bad side is we’re losing a business.”
Perhaps this would be true if Derby had hired an actual economic developer to help facilitate potential prospects.
With no one at the helm, this negligence on the mayor’s part will again cost us dearly.
Mayor, there are no “pros” in losing an economic generator such as Walmart in Connecticut’s smallest city.
