Bethel Awarded $100,000 Grant to Expand Business Park

Bethel will receive a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for the planning and design of the Francis J. Clarke Business Park expansion. The expansion will add approximately 10 acres of town-owned land beyond Trowbridge Drive.

The town has selected Milone & MacBroom, a consulting firm based in Cheshire to do the planning work, which includes environmental surveys, conceptual layout plans and an economic analysis.

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) has been investigating potential expansion opportunities as a result of the inquiries received from businesses looking to start or move into the park.

Over the past year, the EDC and the Office of Economic Development have been working with the state DECD and various other state departments to refine the scope of the expansion. The state Bond Commission approved a grant on July 25 in the amount of $100,000 to the town.

The business park is currently composed of 644 acres known as the Terra Haute Estate and was purchased by the town in the 1970s. The development of the Park was the result of a partnership between the state and the town of Bethel.

Francis J. Clarke Business Park is now home to over 70 businesses, employing hundreds of people, and contributes well over $1 million annually in local tax revenue.

Expansion of the business park will continue to support the town’s vision originally set in the 1970s and have local economic significance by providing space for new and expanding businesses, creating jobs, and increasing the town’s tax base while still protecting its open space.

Based on a release from Economic Development Director Janice Chrzescijanek.