It has been my privilege to serve Seymour’s residents for the past two years as a member of the Board of Selectmen. The Board has accomplished numerous goals, I have learned much, and being part of the team has been a rewarding experience.
A few people have questioned the progress of economic development in Seymour. Seymour has made, and will continue to make, strides in cleaning up dilapidated properties and bringing business to town.
For example, the burned husk of the Housatonic Wire Factory sat for well over a year despite the fact that the funding was available — an eyesore viewed by thousands passing our community every day on Route 8.
The Miller Administration did what the previous failed to do and cleared the necessary hurdles to remove the rubble. The Administration then successfully secured a $500,000 Brownfield Remediation Grant to make the property marketable.
Another example of economic development in action in Seymour is the former Shell station and Sweets-N-Eats properties that lay empty for years. The properties, located next to Route 8 and also seen by thousands of commuters every day, are now being developed. A convenience store will open soon.
The Tingue Dam Fish Bypass project, stalled for well over a decade, finally broke ground because of the current Administration’s efforts to push the project forward. The Fish Bypass will be an attractive addition to our downtown and help bring business into the bucolic area.
A number of businesses have taken advantage of Seymour’s Tax Incentive Program that the present Administration had the foresight to craft. I had the pleasure of being on the Tax Incentive Committee lead by Mr. John Conroy that drafted the Tax Incentive Program document. The Program has borne fruit and will continue to do so in the coming years.
Grand Light and Clean Harbors are two new businesses that now call Seymour home. Economic Development Director Fred Messore attracted these established businesses to invest in our town. I wish both of these businesses great success. Welcome to Seymour!
Economic development is alive and growing. Please support progress and keep Seymour moving forward by exercising your right to vote on Nov. 5.
The writer is a Republican candidate for the Seymour Board of Selectmen.
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