The website ctisprime.com, created in the hopes of luring Amazon to build its second headquarters in the state features a map of Connecticut in proximity to New York City and Boston. ctisprime.com
A portion of ctisprime.com, the state’s website created to lure Amazon to build a second headquarters here. ctisprime.com
HARTFORD – While communities statewide are hoping drone footage, video greetings and promises of tax incentives and land can lure Amazon’s planned second headquarters, Waterbury is keeping it low key.
The Brass City has made no extravagant tax promises and used no flashy advertising in its bid. James Nardozzi, interim chief executive officer of the Waterbury Development Corp., said the city’s quasi-governmental economic development agency submitted a paper application with text and printed maps. No batteries required.
Waterbury’s chief promise is to quickly to claim 35 properties, totaling about 104 acres along the Naugatuck River, for the headquarters.
Nardozi said apart from staff time, the application cost less than $1,000 to print and ship.
Nardozzi doesn’t know when the city might expect a response. “I have been following this story on the national news,” he said.
“All of the reporting I’ve seen says Amazon will do it on their own time. I have no deadline.”
STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith said the state’s submission, which includes a video greeting from Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, was a multifaceted effort.
The state was billed $35,000 by a Glastonbury company to provide renderings and drone imagery, and to coordinate and produce diagrams and supply video. The state was also billed $5,250 by a Connecticut-based web developer to design CTisPrime.com.
The department said it did not provide any details about the financial assistance offered in its proposal to “preserve the ability to enter into direct negotiations.” But DECD said the package will include “direct incentives for Amazon” as well as “funding to support needed investments in communities benefiting from Amazon’s growth.” DANBURY
Danbury is offering a seven-year, 100 percent abatement of local property taxes on real estate and personal property. It’s also providing a one-year, 100 percent sewer and water fee abatement, and a land lease for an airport hangar.
A local printer was paid $426 to print 13 copies of the application and for graphic design work. Another Danbury company was paid $750 for a video shoot and edit. A Vernon web development company was paid $1,500 for online advertising.
There’s a map of the region highlighting the suggested location – a former conference and banquet center – and its proximity to sites such as Candlewood Lake, the Danbury Municipal Airport, Western Connecticut State University campuses, the New York state line and the Brewster, New York, train station.
NEW BRITAIN
Documents show New Britain is offering a 30-year tax deferral on parcels Amazon uses and the city also proposes giving Amazon 25 acres of land it owns.
The site is zoned for a “technology park” and is adjacent to I-84. The application also promises the city will be “completely transparent, aggressive with incentives and considerations to make your business our number one priority.”
Records show New Britain paid a local printer, Sir Speedy, $389 to print five binders for the Amazon application.
There were also expenses for drone footage of the community but the amount wasn’t listed.
An email containing a draft letter from New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart to Amazon indicates the Republican hopes her relative youth sways the company.
– Staff writer Michael Puffer contributed to this report.
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