Hamden Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) is an independent, 501C4 Corporation that serves as a tool to develop the tax base and create jobs in Hamden and as an advocate for businesses in Town. The HEDC focuses on redevelopment of properties and other projects that the conventional real estate community are unable to work on due to contamination, tax problems and complicated title issues.
Funded by a grant from United Illuminating, a study was recently released to explore how Hamden can reduce its carbon footprint and create more economic growth by focusing attention away from fossil fuels and encourage the development of Electric Vehicles in the market place.
The Hamden Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) is pleased to provide the following update regarding the Hamden Business Incubator. The Hamden Business incubator is owned and is currently being developed by the Hamden Economic Development Corporation. The project began in 2016 is currently in the middle of the Phase II of construction. This phase will be concluded in the spring of 2019 and we will welcome the first tenants at that time. Phase... 3 will begin in some time 2019. Funding for the project comes from several sources, The CT Department of Economic and Community Development (Brownfield and Urban Act funding), funding from the Federal Economic Development Administration and Historic Tax Credits, including Bridge lending by Guilford Savings Bank. “We have been very fortune so far to not ask the Hamden taxpayers for any funds for this important project. We are taking a historic treasure and making it functional again to benefit the local economy, create jobs, encourage business development and help reduce blight in the Highwood/Newhall Neighborhood.”, stated Dale Kroop Executive Director of the Hamden Economic Development Corporation.
There will soon be a small but a significant step towards the redevelopment of the former middle school site. Contractors are wrapping up the abatement of asbestos and other hazardous materials in the auditorium at the former Michael J Whalen Middle School. The Hamden Economic Development Corporation has managed the project and has been working with BL Companies and Wiese Construction since January with the goal of the demolition of this building and removal of pavement around it. It also includes the attached hallway to the main classroom building. The estimated project cost will be $500,000 and is being paid for entirely by a grant secured by HEDC from the State Department of Economic and Community Development.
Good news was delivered this week to Hamden. On Tuesday 2/14, Hamden was notified by the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), that the Hamden Economic Development Corporation has been awarded $600,000 for the asbestos cleanup and demolition of the Auditorium at the location of the former Michael J Whalen Middle School. The 16,000 S.F. structure has substantial asbestos contamination and is severely blighted.
