Manufacturing Plant Zone

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  • A real property owner and/or business tenant first contacts the municipal Enterprise Zone Coordinator to pursue pre-qualification completing a Preliminary Questionnaire:
    • to verify the businesses are registered to conduct business in Connecticut (does it match the spelling of the  business's legal name in the Secretary of the State's business database?);
    • to verify that there intended site address is within the State-approved zone boundaries (can the city or town acknowledge that the address is within State-approved zone?);
    • to discuss the scope of investment and the approximate amount to be added to the Grand List (does it reach the minimum level of investment?);
    • to get an idea of how many new jobs would be associated with the proposed new capital investment within the local Enterprise Zone.

  • The municipal official communicates with the real property owner and/or business tenant:
    • to determine whether the initial requirements appear to be present;
    • to provide the interested business with the State’s “Preliminary Questionnaire” form (also known as a “pre-app”);
    • to review and verify the initial responses to ensure legibility and completeness;
    • to sign/certify and forward for the Preliminary Questionnaire to the State CT DECD (to the dedicated email address DECDenterprisezone@ct.gov) with any other applicable documentation (such as an idleness waiver, copy of notarized tradename certificate, …).

  • The State/CT DECD would conduct a prequalifying review of the responses, and transmit the result in writing.
    • Creates a record in the State/CT DECD program database, confirms with the CT DOL the NAICS code meets the eligibility requirements, and other notifies the municipal contact.
      NOTE 1: If the proposed tenant business, project, and investment meet initial requirements, the CT DECD would prequalify the business(es) and email the blank State forms with instructions on how to submit a formal application package, including a due date by which to return a complete submission.
    • NOTE 2: If not prequalified, the CT DECD would explain in writing.

  • CT DECD invites the prospect to submit a formal application. prequalified business would complete, sign the full application package, and submit to the municipal official for review and municipal certification. The entire package is emailed to the CT DECD (to the dedicated email address DECDenterprisezone@ct.gov) prior to October 1 of the year in which the project will be completed.
    • NOTE 1: Any application package that is not received by October 1 of the current program year may, at DECD discretion, be moved into the next program year.
    • NOTE 2: Any incomplete application and/or incomplete project may be withdrawn, denied, or fail to be acted upon.

  • The State CT DECD is responsible for the reviewing the full application package for completeness, and the decision regarding eligibility.
    • NOTE 1: If the formal application is not approved, then the State CT DECD, the municipal Enterprise Zone coordinator, and the business(es) discuss options to put the application on hold, to re-apply at a future date, or to close the file with no further action.
    • NOTE 2: If the project is approved,
      • the CT DECD issues a final certification letter (“Certificate of Eligibility”) would be emailed to the businesses, municipal officials (including the first year’s claim for zone benefits to the local assessor);
      • the municipal Enterprise Zone coordinator serves as liaison to communicate any known significant updates during the eligibility period;
      • the real property owner has the responsibility to pass on the pro-rated local tax benefits (5 year tax abatement on real property and machinery and equipment, as applicable), and the tenant business has a responsibility to
        • (i) to submit subsequent tax abatement claims for year 2 through and including year 5 for the certified eligibility period directly with the local assessor to receive continued benefits, and
        • (ii) to inform the State on the forms provided of any changes as indicated in the certifying documentation (e.g., changes in lessor or lessee).