|
PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHY LOCATE YOUR BUSINESS IN HADDAM? Haddam offers unique opportunities for the creation of new business, given its proximity to the Connecticut River, the Valley Railroad and the excellent access to Connecticut Route 9 expressway. Higganum Village circa 1800 was the center of most economic activity due to the abundant water power in the area. Higganum Landing was a natural cove and well-suited to development as a river port. Higganum now contains the town's traditional village center, which still serves as the shopping and civic center for the town. In this area, there is the village green with its war veterans' memorial and museum, youth center and a gazebo. There is also in this area a grocery store, hardware store, banks, pharmacy, gift shops, post office, package stores, barber shop, dry cleaners, restaurants and other retail establishments. Tylerville Village Center was originally the site of extensive ship building, and ship repair yards, in addition to serving as an active seaport. The first sailing vessel was built in 1734 and shipbuilding continued through the early 1800's. The Tylerville area also includes relatively new commercial development in the nature of a neighborhood shopping center, retail shops, gasoline service stations, restaurants and gift shops. At the juncture of CT Route 82 and the Valley Railroad, is a retail store and gift shop. The abundance of vacant land and/or under-used parcels of land with the heavily traveled scenic Route 154 and Route 82 and with one of the few bridges connecting the east and west sides of the CT River provides an opportunity to create new economic activity based on the tourist trade.
|
|||||
|
PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The guiding philosophy behind this planning effort is that well considered, creative town planning and healthy economic development are compatible goals. In fact, good design may create economic development, and should be used as a tool to harness the economic power of development to achieve the desired results. We are fortunate to live in a town and a region which are noted for their historic charm and natural beauty. A well thought out plan which addresses aesthetic improvements to the "built environment", as well as the underlying market realities, will not only protect the character of the town, but can be used as a tool to enhance it. There are varying opinions of the need for economic development as it is perceived in Haddam. It is imperative for any analysis of the opportunities for economic development in Haddam to also be sensitive to both the historic and bucolic nature of the town. The existing historic charm, natural beauty of the town and its proximity to tourist attractions, have served as a springboard for the planning concepts. Additional input was sought and considered from a variety of sources, including the business community, the property owners, the Planning and Zoning Commission and the citizens who participated in the public hearings that were held by the Economic Development Commission during the past two years. The purpose of this input is to create development plans for the two commercial centers of Haddam - the Villages of Higganum and Tylerville - and to assure that future development is compatible with the Plan of Conservation and Development.
The Former Scovil Company site, now occupied by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The Haddam Town garage occupied by the Town of Haddam Public Works Department. Haddam Veterans' Museum and Youth Center (The Former Scovil Company office facility and former Haddam Volunteer Fire Department Company 1) A Brief History Higganum has been a center of economic activity since the first gristmill opened in the 1670's. Because of the tributary streams dropping almost 500 feet down to the Connecticut River, over two dozen mills had located here by the nineteenth century. Higganum Cove, with direct access to the river also provided an ideal location for shipbuilding, merchant shipping and manufacturing. The wealth of Higganum Center continued for many years, but eventually economic forces spelled the end of prosperity. Against this historical backdrop of bustling activity, Higganum Center probably does less business now than at any time in the last three hundred years. Today the mills closed their doors long ago, yet they leave behind old industrial buildings, which can be used today to strengthen our community.
TOWN OF HADDAM EMAIL ADDRESS: Selectmen@Haddam.org Website created by Susan Rosano, Cromwell, CT |
