Janowski Pitches Vernon Enterprise Zone Benefits at Capitol

Former State Representative and Democratic Mayoral Candidate Claire Janowski said today she is committed to seeking State Enterprise Zone Benefits for Vernon. She pitched her idea to House Majority Leader Matt Ritter at the Capitol this week and is working with Vernon State Representative Mike Winkler to craft language for the upcoming session. She said Enterprise Zone Benefits should be part of Vernon’s renewal solution. Janowski said, “I will embrace and pursue State Enterprise Zone Benefits as part of Vernon’s renewal solution. This is a very important piece of the puzzle to help revitalize Rockville, and it’s worthy of pursuit.”

In addressing comments previously made by her opponent that “rather than pursue Enterprise Zones, the town should continue to offer their own tax incentives,” Janowski said the town tax incentives and state Enterprise Zone benefits are not mutually exclusive. They would work in harmony, because State Enterprise Zone benefits would only apply to Neighborhood Revitalization Zones and Main Street Program areas. She said the premise of her proposal is to expand entry to smaller towns who fit similar need criteria as the bigger urban towns. The big advantage with abatements under State Enterprise Zones is that the town would not lose as much revenue, because the state would reimburse the town 50% of the revenue loss.

“Since there is no reimbursement under the ‘town tax incentive,’ the potential for 50% reimbursement under Enterprise Zones can only help reduce the overall loss in revenue to the town and save taxpayers money; that’s a good thing,” Janowski said.

Janowski has said that State Enterprise Zone Benefits would attract interest in Rockville’s downtown and help fill some of the empty storefronts, enhancing both the purpose and intent of grass roots revitalization being undertaken by local community groups, and has the potential for putting the unused Citizens Block building adjacent to Elm Street back on the tax rolls. “The benefits will attract new merchants and incubator type businesses as well as investors for building a much needed parking structure in the area as first proposed over 20 years ago,” Janowski said. Lack of downtown parking was a major complaint of senior citizens at the old senior center building that now sits empty as well as merchants in the area. Parking is something that needs to be addressed for a viable downtown, she said.

Janowski says State Enterprise Zones were established by Connecticut statute, and can be modified by the State Legislature and are under the jurisdiction of the State of Connecticut. Once a town is added to the Enterprise Zone Benefit listing, there is no yearly application for requalification or inclusion. The benefits include low-interest business loans for property and equipment, state-reimbursed tax abatements, and state tax credits for creating new jobs. Entry into the program can only be requested and pushed for by the Mayor of a municipality, and the town has not applied for the benefits before. As Mayor, she will pursue the benefits wholeheartedly.

“I will give this initiative the priority and attention it deserves. The benefits to businesses, taxpayers and our town are just too good to pass up,” Janowski said.

In addition to her 16 years of service as Vernon’s State Representative, Janowski also served on the Vernon Town Council and Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission, and chaired Vernon’s Human Services Commission. She has been devoted to quality-of-life issues and acquiring millions of dollars for Vernon projects. Examples include saving local Dial-a-Ride and Rental Rebate programs; Roosevelt and Talcottville Mills rehabs; Vernon Public Library and Vernon Historical Society additions; Town Council Chamber restoration; Central and Talcott Park improvements; local bridge, road, and school construction funding; and increased state education dollars.