Page 10 - BusinessWest December 26, 2022

Community Spotlight
Enfield Aids Business Recovery After Pandemic
By Kailey Houle
Even though the worst of the pandemic is over, businesses are still struggling to get their footing. But now, through
Connecticut’s Community Development Block Grant Program, Enfield business owners can take a leap of faith into a new future.
“We’ll work with everybody and anybody to make sure that we get the things that the community needs.”
“We’re trying to piece things together, but meanwhile we just try to work with the appli- cants as best we can,” said Laurie Whitten, direc- tor of Development Services for the town just over the Massachusetts border from Longmead- ow. “We’ll work with everybody and anybody to make sure that we get the things that the com- munity needs.”
She went on to say the Planning and Zoning board has “actually modified regulations because some of the setbacks were a little onerous.” And in order to bring in more businesses, changes
had to be made.
Meanwhile, development is moving forward
on numerous projects, from an almost-com- pleted assisted-living and memory-care facility on Hazard Avenue to the transformation of the former Community Health Center facility into a mixed-use space, including TrackStar Nutrition of Springfield and Magic Salon & Barber Shop.
Town officials have been working with busi- nesses owners on initiatives that will make Enfield more inviting.
“The Town Council approved $450,000
of our ARPA federal funding assistance for a small-business program and a nonprofit grant program in early October,” said Nelson Tereso, director of Economic & Community Develop- ment. His department, with the help of the Eco- nomic Development Commission — made up of local business owners, community members, and people involved in other commissions who have an understanding of what the community needs — are currently reviewing and scoring the applications.
“I know that a lot of other communities throughout the United States used a lot of the ARPA money to provide recovery assistance, either with utilities or payrolls, things of that nature,” he added. “We are doing something
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10 DECEMBER 26, 2022
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
BusinessWest
Enfield at a Glance
YEAR INCORPORATED: 1683
POPULATION: 42,141
AREA: 34.2 square miles
COUNTY: Hartford
RESIDENTIAL TAX RATE: $27.89
COMMERCIAL TAX RATE: $27.89
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $67,402
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME: $77,554
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Town Council, Town Manager
LARGEST EMPLOYERS: Lego Systems Inc., MassMutual, Retail Brand Alliance, Enfield Distribution Center
* Latest information available