A proposal to create an economic development zone around an airport in Plainville has been revived by the state legislature.
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A proposal to create an economic development zone around an airport in Plainville has been revived by the state legislature.
Senate Bill 134 would establish an airport development zone in Plainville made up of nine specified census blocks around Robertson Airport, which is owned by the town.
The bill would make taxpayers eligible for partial property tax exemptions for improving or acquiring qualified manufacturing facilities, as well as related machinery and equipment, in the designated area.
Businesses located within the airport development zone would be eligible to receive a five-year, 80% property tax exemption if the commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development determines they depend on, or are directly related to, the airport.
Airport development zones currently exist only in East Granby, Suffield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
The bill originated in the legislature’s Commerce Committee, which conducted a public hearing and voted unanimously to approve a favorable report before it was referred to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
In testimony submitted during a Commerce Committee public hearing held in February, Plainville’s Director of Economic Development Cal Hauburger said the facility has become a full-service airport as well as a tool for recruiting new businesses.
Creating an Airport Development Zone “would significantly lower the burden of entry and operation for aviation-related services while also offering a path for “successful growth and innovation in Connecticut,” he said.
The legislation follows an effort last year to establish an economic development zone around Robertson Airport. Two bills, SB 724 and SB 575, were raised, but the first died in committee and the second was not raised for a vote in the House after being approved in the Senate by a 35-1 vote. Sen. Mae Flexer (D-Willimantic) was the lone vote against the bill.
