10/26/2018 - First Selectman's 2018 Business Appreciation Breakfast Address & Video
BUSINESS APPRECIATION BREAKFAST
October 26, 2018
Address by Vicki Tesoro, First Selectman, Town of Trumbull
Click to View Video on YouTube:
I am honored to be here this morning. A special word of thanks to Rina Bakalar Trumbull’s Economic and Community Development Director, Gayle Andreyka, and the Economic Development Commission who worked so hard to make this great event such a success.
Welcome, and thank you all for joining us this morning. We are pleased to have many of our Trumbull businesses here, our Board and Commission volunteers, elected officials, developers, realtors, technical staff, and others who support Trumbull’s vibrant economy.
A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Jason Beske.
I stand before you just about eleven months into my term of office. I consider my service to our Town to be a great privilege and I am working with my outstanding staff and team each day to make sure that Trumbull’s economy grows in a safe, balanced, well-planned way.
As I was thinking of my remarks today one phrase kept coming to mind. “Trumbull is the place to be.”
If you are a senior citizen looking for a place that is safe, with excellent services and varied housing options. Trumbull is the place to be.
If you are a young family looking for a place to raise your family with great schools and ample opportunities for recreation, Trumbull is the place to be.
If you are a small business looking for a Community that supports its businesses, Trumbull is the place to be.
If you are a Corporation looking to leverage a highly educated and highly motivated workforce, Trumbull is the place to be.
As First Selectman I am optimistic about Trumbull today and optimistic about the future of Trumbull. I am optimistic because our people are as determined as I am to make this great community even better. But don’t take my word for it. Let me quote from Standard and Poors Global Ratings in August of this year: “We consider Trumbull’s economy very strong.”
They go on to say that “We view the Town’s management as strong with good financial practices and policies…”
Strong management, strong economy, strong budgetary performance, great schools, great services, and great people. Clearly, Trumbull is the place to be.
To say that we have been busy this year in the Economic and Community development arena would be an understatement.
We have over $320,000,000 in development approved or moving through our Land Use Boards. Many of the projects will help prepare Trumbull for the future and grow our grand list over time. Thank you to those here who are investing in Trumbull’s future.
We are thrilled that 48 Monroe Turnpike (the former United Health Care site) has been purchased and the site will be redeveloped with a continuum of housing and services for our over 55 population. They will be moving through our land use boards in the coming months. We applaud the community-oriented approach the new owners are taking with this application. Reaching out and getting input early contributes to a strong project which enhances Trumbull.
We have had almost twenty ribbon cuttings for new businesses and business expansions this year starting with Henkel Corporation back in January. We welcomed Wahlburgers and Ulta Beauty to the Mall. We have three new business locations in Trumbull Center including the delicious Bianco Rosso. Code Ninjas opened in Madison Village, Liv’s gifts and Radzwillas Kitchen and Design opened on Main Street. Dolce Vida Medical Spa moved to Trumbull from Shelton and many others.
We are looking forward to a number of new business openings in November and December including the “Escapeology, which is an Escape Room,” the Trumbull Tradesman Center in our Corporate Park, and two new state-of-the-art early learning centers among many other businesses.
We hope everyone will continue to welcome and support our local Trumbull businesses.
As we are supporting and welcoming development and new businesses to town, we are also taking great care to make sure the character of our community is preserved and that new development is safe, of high quality, and well planned.
To that end, I have requested detailed planning studies for two of our industrial zones to make sure our underperforming properties are occupied or redeveloped and that any public investment in those areas enhances the attractiveness and value of those neighborhoods.
We are aggressively seeking grant funds to support improvements throughout town and especially in our Long Hill Green Village area, where we have secured almost $1,000,000 for improvements.
I have directed the staff to apply for funding for the relocation of the dangerous crosswalk on Route 111 and to install a light at the Chip’s Plaza. Making these types of improvements supports our businesses, residents, and makes Trumbull a stronger community.
And on that note, I want to applaud the developers that I have met with since taking office. These are quality groups that want to do a good job in our community.
They have changed or altered their proposals based on our conversations and feedback from the community. That is what it means to work in partnership and I appreciate your willingness to adapt for our community.
This does not happen in a vacuum. It does not happen by one person alone. Rina, Rob and their team, our Economic Development Commission, our elected officials and others are working together with me to ensure a bright future.
I thank all of them. Trumbull thrives when we work together.
In closing, I am bullish on Trumbull’s future. My administration is doing everything possible to hold the line on taxes and ensure fiscal stability despite what may be happening at the State. This is essential to attracting, retaining, and growing our businesses.
I want you to know we are partners. My door is always open to you. You will continue to see that TRUMBULL IS THE PLACE TO BE.
So thank you all again for being a big part of making Trumbull a vibrant community of choice.