As the Plymouth Business Park is required to target primarily manufacturers and also eager to see development of the available sites, the EDC is seeking a developer to assist in expanding opportunities and increasing the attractiveness for manufacturers needing to expand or relocate their facilities. This would be achieved by providing a virtually pre-designed and permitted building ready to meet the needs of the typical end-user.

The Developer would be guaranteed via their status as Preferred Developer and upon the submission of a letter of intent from a qualified end-user: (1) A 12-month guarantee for the ability to purchase a building lot of their choice for the price indicated below; (2) A 3-year 50% tax abatement on the completed building; (3) The ability to offer potential end-users a relocation grant to cover a percentage of their relocation costs. (4) A $5,000 grant sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power will be offered to the developer to offset the costs of design and planning.

“Businesses become frustrated with the regulatory process and many do not have the time and expertise to get involved with design”, comments John O’Toole manager of Community and Economic Development for CL&P. “A program like this enhances competitiveness.”

If designated, the Preferred Developer will be required to: (1) Prepare and submit a site plan for the concept depicted as part of the candidate’s response to this RFQ; (2) Seek and obtain approval from Economic Development Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission (if applicable) and Planning & Zoning Commission for the site plan; (3) Work with the Economic Development Commission and the Town’s Economic Developer to market the opportunity to qualified end-users.

The Town of Plymouth in partnership with the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration developed a business park with 22 shovel ready sites ranging in area from 1.5 to 5 acres each, capable of being combined and suitable for various sized facilities from approximately 5,000 to 50,000 sq. ft. of floor space. Any of the 17 remaining available sites, once selected, could allow for breaking ground within 90 to 180 days.

Connecticut Light & Power is partnering with the Town to further demonstrate the value of shovel ready sites. CL&P is the sponsor of Connecticut’s QuickTracts program. The program offers an online inventory of pre-qualified, easy-to-develop sites in Connecticut. If you need to break ground within 90 to 180 days and would like existing infrastructure within 400 feet of the site, to learn more visit www.QuickTracts.com and search the database.

For more information about the program, call Craig Stevenson at 860-306-8325.

  REQUEST FOR QUALIFIED PREFERRED DEVELOPER
The Town of Plymouth is seeking a developer capable of partnering with the Town to design and construct an industrial building for lease or resale to a qualified end-user on one or more of the available lots in Phase III of the Plymouth Business Park. Developers selected for this program would qualify to receive a grant from Connecticut Light & Power Company in the amount of $5,000 to offset the costs of planning and design.

Background and Overview:
The Town of Plymouth in partnership with the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration have developed a business park with 22 shovel ready sites ranging in area from 1.5 to 5 acres each, capable of being combined and suitable for various sized facilities from approximately 5,000 to 50,000 sq. ft. of floor space. Any of the 17 remaining sites, once selected, could allow for breaking ground within 90 to 180 days.

Due to the source of the State funds, a development policy requires industrial/manufacturing or professional office usage. The stress on manufacturing industry created by the international economy and competition has created a need for an even greater amount of expedience in the development process. A manufacturer needing to expand today cannot wait the typical 12 to 18 months for a building to be completed, nor can they devote the time and expense often associated with the development process. In addition, the cost of building has continued to skyrocket with no moderating foreseen.

As the Plymouth Business Park is required to target this particular end-user and the Town of Plymouth is eager to see development of the available sites, the Economic Development Commission is seeking a developer to assist in expanding opportunities and increasing the attractiveness for manufacturers needing to expand or relocate their facilities. This would be achieved by providing a virtually pre-designed and permitted building ready to meet the needs of the typical end-user.

If designated, the Preferred Developer will be required to: 1. Prepare and submit a site plan for the concept depicted as part of the candidate’s response to this RFQ; 2. Seek and obtain approval from Economic Development Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission (if applicable) and Planning & Zoning Commission for the site plan; 3. Work with the Economic Development Commission and the Town’s Economic Developer to market the opportunity to qualified end-users; 4. Selected Developer would initiate regulatory process within 90 days of designation as Preferred Developer.

The Developer would be guaranteed via their status as Preferred Developer and upon the submission of a letter of intent from a qualified end-user: 1. A 12-month guarantee for the ability to purchase a building lot of their choice for the price indicated below; 2. A 3-year 50% tax abatement on the completed building; 3. The ability to offer potential end-users a relocation grant to cover a percentage of their relocation costs. 4. A $5,000 grant sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power will be offered to the developer to offset the costs of design and planning.

CHECKLIST OF RFQ SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Each developer or development team candidate must provide the information listed below as part of its submission to the Request for Qualifications. All materials submitted will become the property of the Town of Plymouth and may be subject to public inspection under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Each submission in response to the RFQ must contain the following information and adhere to the following format:

Ten (10) copies of the complete RFQ response package

Formal letter of interest on principal developer's letterhead to:

Attn: Plymouth Business Park Development Proposal
c/o William Kuehn, Town Planner
Town Hall
80 Main Street
Terryville, CT 06786

Identification of Development Entity:
It is requested that a full description of the principal firm, its development entities and subsidiaries and other team members making the submission be provided in a narrative form that is clear and comprehensive. Brochures and collateral material on the firm(s) can be included as appropriate. Descriptions of the development entity need to include:

Description and history of Firm/Entity:

Staffing:

Description of Development Experience:
Developers making the submission will provide a list of relevant and comparable projects completed or in process.

Developer's Financial Capacity:
Developers making submissions must present evidence of the financial capacity to successfully undertake a project of this magnitude. Financial capacity will be evaluated based on submitted documentation indicating both the current financial condition of the submitting developer and its past-demonstrated ability to obtain debt and equity financing. Greatest weight will be given to information providing clear, well-documented disclosure of financial capacity. Independent evaluations by credit rating agencies may also be taken into account.

Conceptual Plan:
Developers are required to submit a conceptual plan for the development of the site in both narrative and graphic form. While the concept plan is intended to reflect the developer's vision for the site, it must be of sufficient detail to allow the selection committee to begin to assess the fiscal and practical viability of the proposed development. Developer's concepts should include:

A 100 scale plan depicting a manufacturing facility of no less than 9,000 square feet that meets the requirements set forth in local zoning regulations and set forth in the covenants of the Plymouth Business Park.

A delineation of major issues and concerns that the developer has identified which would impact the proposed development program.

References:
All submissions should include a minimum of four references that in the opinion of the developer can best attest to the development experience of the submitting firm. Two of these references must attest to the submitting firm's financial capacity to undertake the project.

RFA Selection Criteria:
Responses to the RFQ will be judged on the quality of the proposed concept for the development of the site and the developers’ relevant experience in carrying out the project. The following criteria will be used by the selection committee as a guide in evaluating all submissions:

  Real Estate News
The Woodmill, LLC, a Naugatuck wood products manufacturer will become the newest occupant in the Plymouth Business Park. The 25 Gear Drive property was conveyed in July 2007 by the owners of Phoenix Products. Since its initial acquisition in the Park by Phoenix in 1998, the company has expanded operations through several other property purchases, thus making 25 Gear Drive available for a new business opportunity. Hiram Morales, owner of The Woodmill is a Plymouth resident.

Parker & Fitch, a custom cabinet manufacturing company and metal fabrication shop based in Southbury has placed a deposit with the town for Lot #18 on Container Drive . Robert Parker presented preliminary plans for a 12,000 square foot building to the Economic Development Commission on July 11, 2007.

There continues to be strong interest in the park, particularly for existing buildings. More information on the properties available can be found online at www.ctsitefinder.com.

Precision Color Coating LLC purchased 50 Altair Avenue in late 2006 and began operations of high quality finishing primarily for the cosmetic and personal care industries. Additional space within the facility is available for leasing. Details are online at www.ctsitefinder.com.

  Expansions In Plymouth
Elm Press, a publishing and printing firm has completed and occupied a 9,600 square foot addition to their 16 Tremco Drive facility. The expansion nearly doubled the total square footage available for its operations.

Uniprise, at 50 Napco Drive, has received land use approval for a 7,200 square foot addition to its manufacturing facility.

Construction is nearing completion on a 5,400 square foot addition to E. S. Metals at 11 Allread Drive.

Construction continues on an innovative project at 84 Napco Drive. Approved in 2006, this 9,600 square foot facility will provide incubator opportunities for small manufacturers in a growth mode to establish themselves with similar businesses, all utilizing a centralized office/service core. Further information can be found online at www.ctsitefinder.com.