PRESS RELEASE

Norwich, CT – Norwich, CT – Norwich Community Development Corporation and the City of Norwich are pleased to host Cannabis Conversations: Starting Your Business in Norwich

Join us for an exploratory session focused on answering your Social Equity Licensing questions, opportunities for cultivation and manufacturing, site selection, and general information about this new industry. Meet developers, investors, industry professionals, and potential partners at this early stage development event.

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PRESS RELEASE

Norwich, CT – Norwich, CT – Norwich Community Development Corporation and the City of Norwich are pleased to announce a Code Correction and Vanilla Box Project award of $10,073 to Ventura Barbershop. The grant was made possible through the American Rescue Plan funding received by the City of Norwich.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Carlos envisioned a better life for himself and his young family. Settling in Norwich, he found himself ready to open his own business. With the support of friends, family, NCDC, and the City of Norwich, he has been able to open a space of his own.

Owners Carlos and Brenda Ventura dedicated themselves to rehabilitating and opening a formerly vacant location on Jewitt City Road in the Taftville section of Norwich. Reimbursing approximately 1/3 of the costs to bring the space into Code Compliance and occupancy readiness, the matching grant program directly supports this local, minority owned service business, once again demonstrating the need for the Code Correction Program and the Vanilla Box Project.

NCDC is proud to partner with the City of Norwich, property owners, developers, and entrepreneurs to continue to revitalize our community.

For additional information about the organization and projects that we have been involved:

askncdc.com

PRESS RELEASE

Norwich, CT – Norwich Community Development Corporation is pleased to announce receipt of a $40,000 grant from The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation in support of the award-winning Downtown Revitalization Program’s Vanilla Box Project.

What is a Vanilla Box and how does this substantial and generous grant help the project achieve its goals?

A Vanilla Box is a commercial space that has not been improved but is ready for tenant fit out. The investment gap that exists between property owners and potential tenants is one that prevents the activation of vacant or unusable space. The Lord Family Foundation grant helps to close that gap.

The Vanilla Box Project has been instrumental in redeveloping and reactivating formerly vacant locations in and around downtown Norwich. Through a series of sub-projects and associated programs, the Vanilla Box Project has contributed to an increase of 100,000 square feet of occupiable space.

The Lord Family Foundation recognizes the value of investing in downtown Norwich and their financial contribution supports the efforts of NCDC to create a vibrant and dynamic downtown area for property owners, investors, business owners, and residents.

For additional information about the organization and projects that we have been involved:

askncdc.com

PRESS RELEASE

NCDC President and Executive Director Appointed

July 1, 2021

Norwich, CT – Norwich Community Development Corporation is pleased to announce Kevin “Red Eagle” Brown has been named President and Executive Director.

Kevin, a West Point graduate and 24-year Army veteran, has deep roots in our area. In addition to his Mohegan heritage and service to his tribe, his long family history in Norwich and involvement in state and regional development provides him unique insights into our area’s challenges, features, and economic development potential.

A lifelong learner and dedicated public servant, Kevin will bring years of education and experience to navigate the post-Covid economic recovery, bring a renewed sense of pride to Norwich, and develop strong partnerships with economic development and government organizations. Kevin has earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from West Point, a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Arts in Public Diplomacy from Norwich University and currently holds PhD candidacy in Security Studies from Kansas State University.

Kevin succeeds Jason Vincent, former President and Executive Director of Norwich Community Development Corporation, and will continue to explore, develop, and execute many of the ideas Jason envisioned. In conjunction with existing programs and partnerships, Kevin will engage with new entities, organizations, and agencies to advance and fulfill the mission of NCDC.

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ABOUT NCDC

The Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC), led by business and civic leaders, has over forty years of experience in creating opportunities for business. NCDC has been responsible for several development initiatives in Norwich including the creation of over 45 business locations and 2,300 jobs in the Stanley Israelite Business Park; the Mercantile Exchange building- a 100,000 square foot class A office building and the Norwich Superior Courthouse – both constructed in the heart of historic Downtown Norwich.

In addition, NCDC was instrumental in securing and managing funding for both the renovation of Otis Library and the Norwich Marina.  NCDC is proud of its reputation for being active in developing relationships and collaborating with the City for the betterment of Norwich and for partnering with the City and Norwich Public Utilities to create a place where businesses grow and thrive. We know how to get things done.

For additional information about the organization and projects that we have been involved:

askncdc.com

All of us here at NCDC are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our President, leader, and friend Jason Vincent. We, like everyone in the community, are trying to cope during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family. With that in mind, we will plan a proper tribute to Jason in the not-so-distant future.

Our plan is to collaborate with other organizations that Jason held close to his heart and to be inclusive of the entire Norwich community. We will make sure we give Jason the proper recognition and acknowledgement that we all know he deserves. We appreciate your patience while we navigate the sudden loss of a great man who loved our city deeply.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
NCDC Board of Directors

For more information please contact:
Mary Riley
Community Manager
Norwich Community Development Corporation
860-887-6964
mary@askncdc.com

THE DAY (May 28, 2020) — Reopening downtown restaurants for outside dining as the state eases COVID-19 restrictions proved to be a group effort in Norwich, with the city, local banks, a construction contractor, a waste removal company and even Frontier Communications helping to make it happen.

Norwich Community Development Corp. Senior Vice President Jason Vincent told the NCDC board of directors Thursday that efforts to open downtown restaurants to outside dining last week required a group effort of public and private entities. The city provided concrete barriers, traffic warning barrels and picnic tables at the start, and the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce and Global City Norwich loaned tents, Vincent said.

Several other businesses stepped up to donate supplies and services. Dime Bank purchased barrels of flowers and additional tents to enhance outdoor dining spaces, and Eastern Savings Bank quickly followed suit, buying outdoor dining tables and flowers, Vincent said.

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THE DAY (May 28, 2020) — Norwich Community Development Corp. President Robert Mills will retire from the economic development agency July 31 after 12 years, reducing the agency’s staff to one full-time person.

Mills, 67, announced his retirement following the NCDC board of directors video conference meeting Thursday. The board met for an hour in executive session to discuss a personnel matter and did not discuss Mills’ departure in open session. The board has been discussing his position in executive session for the past several months. He said he has been working on a retirement plan for the past two years.

Mills’ departure will leave Senior Vice President Jason Vincent as the sole full-time staff member and apparent successor to Mills at NCDC and its Foundry 66 co-workspace. Vice President and Community Manager Jill Fritzsche left May 15 to become Killingly economic development director.

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THE BULLETIN (May 18, 2020) — Even though the yearly Haitian festival in Norwich is canceled due to the presence of COVID-19, Norwich Alderman Darrell Wilson said he and others wanted to show “our small piece appreciation and honor for such an important community in the City of Norwich.”

To commemorate the presence of the Haitian community in Norwich, a ceremony for Haitian National Flag Day was held Monday in front of the Norwich City Hall by the United Congregational Church. The U.S. flag and the Haitian flag flew next to each other.

“Haitians around the world celebrate National Flag Day, expressing their national pride, honoring the forefathers of the Nation, and replenishing their resolve for Haiti’s future in the face of their ancestors’ tremendous and unique accomplishment,” the website for the Haitian embassy in Washington, D.C., states.

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