Business & Tech

Economic Development: More Gains Than Losses in Hamden in 2013

Businesses continued to grow in Hamden in 2013, according to the town's Economic Development Director.

In a tumultuous economy and real estate market, Hamden experienced positive business growth in 2013 and there already are new projects approved for 2014 and beyond.

That's the assessment from Economic Development Director Dale Kroop, who said that in 2013, more than 25 new business opened or grew throughout Hamden. 

There was growth in Health Care, including Amity Physical Therapy, Family Dental, Express Care and Urgent Care; Manufacturing, including Taylor Freezer and the Burt Processing expansion; Restaurants, including Eli's on Whitney, Cast Iron Soul and Chipotle, and other small businesses, such as JW Moving, DC Luxe, Minuteman Press, Monkeys Joes, Kroop said. 

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Additionally several businesses grew into new or expanded space, such as Lee Partyka Chevy and Mazda, AAA and Quinnipiac Bank and Trust, he said. 

Hamden continues to have very low vacancy rates even in a difficult economy, Kroop said.

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 "New space has been created to provide more opportunities for small businesses in 2014 and beyond," he said. "Several projects are approved or are under construction." 

NU Development is in the process of redeveloping the former Centerville Lumber property, which will included a five story mixed-use building, a three story hotel and a rehabilitation of the 13,000 SF. original Centerville Lumber building

Next to Mount Carmel Post Office is construction of a 14,000 square foot mixed-use building, Kroop said.

The Hamden Business Incubator, a 40,000 square foot former school which is owned and developed By the Hamden Economic Development Corporation, is being developed in to a small business facility for up to 20 new businesses. 

But Hamden also experienced the loss of a key business in 2013, Kroop said, with the closure of the Stop and Shop at Putnam Avenue 

"It was a big loss for the community," Kroop said. 

Several other small businesses could not survive the economy, he said, but the net outcome for the town was positive for the year. 

"We feel bad for the people who depended on Stop and Shop for employment and goods," Kroop said. "While we recognize that some business loss is inevitable, we will continue to move forward and grow the local economy. We have good partners to call on tools to use such as business incentives and will keep marketing them in the region and through the State of Connecticut."

 

For further information about the Town's Business Incentive Program contact Dale Kroop at 203-287-7030, dkroop@hamden.com or visit us on the web at www.hamden-ct.com.


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