The View from the Mayor's Office: When Will CVS Open?

The #1 question I receive from our citizens has to do with CVS.  As one who has been involved with the original decision to build a new Gales Ferry School and market the existing property for economic development, I share your impatience.

But the eagerness to welcome the first new commercial development in many years must be put into perspective with the other question I am regularly asked: What am I doing to attract new development to Ledyard?  The answer to this question is more complex.  During my campaign for Mayor I outlined my plan to make Ledyard more attractive to new and existing businesses:

1) Develop a government which is receptive to business, demonstrates an environment which is not overregulated, and makes every reasonable effort to expedite the approval process.

2) Manage a government which provides services in the most cost effective manner and requires a tax rate that is competitive with surrounding towns.

3) Work with existing businesses to upgrade and expand their operations to provide essential services to our town.

But these objectives conflict with the obstacles that Ledyard faces: a soft economy, the highest tax rate in Southeastern Connecticut, and a lack of infrastructure.  

The recent notice that Styron, Ledyard's #3 taxpayer, was decommissioning one of the two latex production units at Allyn’s Point site was a sobering reminder that our concern must also be focused on the well-being of existing business in town.  My conversations with those enterprises indicate that many of them may be struggling. 

Working closely with the Economic Development Commission I am in discussions with Ocean State Job Lot, owners of the Riverside Mall, and they have demonstrated a willingness to upgrade their property and actively work to attract suitable tenants.  There are several businesses which have recently relocated to Ledyard and we are working to retain others currently in town that may need more space. 

 As always, should you have ideas on this subject or know of businesses interested in our town please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Oh, to answer the #1 question, CVS is on track for a Spring groundbreaking and a late fall opening.