The unanimous decision by the Connecticut Airport Authority to create an economic development zone at the Oxford Airport is very welcome news for Oxford.
The generous tax incentives for businesses will finally make Oxford a prime location for new business and industry.
Oxford has been waiting for this news for two years. Speaking for everyone in Oxford as well as our Democratic Town Committee, we thank Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Airport Authority for finally taking action.
Unfortunately, the current First Selectman and his hand-picked economic development director have taken almost no action to foster economic development in Oxford.
In fact, Oxford now spends less on economic development than it did two years ago. Tax revenues from commercial and industrial sources have declined since 2011.
That means Oxford’s hard-pressed homeowners have seen their taxes rise because this administration has done nothing. I will bring back the kind of economic development team that had a proven record of success and that helped hold down property taxes for homeowners
The writer is the Democratic candidate for Oxford First Selectman.
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