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Common questions and their answers for everything Norwich and NCDC!

Getting Started with NCDC

We're Norwich's economic development catalyst, connecting businesses with opportunities through our BREAD approach: Business Retention, Expansion, Attraction, and Development. For 62 years, we've provided resources, funding connections, and hands-on support to help businesses start, grow, and thrive in Norwich. We're Available, Active, and Transparent

Just reach out:

  • Call: 860-887-6964
  • Email: info@askncdc.com
  • Visit: 66 Franklin Street (drop-ins welcome)

Absolutely. We'll provide market data, demographic analysis, site tours, and honest assessments. We'd rather help you make the right decision than the wrong one.

No. Our business development services—site selection, grant application support, regulatory navigation—are provided at no cost. We're funded to support Norwich's economic growth.

All of them. We've successfully supported manufacturing, cannabis, retail, hospitality, professional services, and technology startups. If you're creating jobs and investing in Norwich, we're interested in helping you succeed.

Financial Incentives & Programs

Norwich offers compelling incentive packages:

  • Norwich Revitalization Program: Up to $1M per project for commercial improvements
  • seCTer RISE Grants: Small business support
  • Enterprise Zone Benefits: 80% property tax abatements (5 years), 7-year assessment deferrals across 270 acres
  • Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Project-specific opportunities
  • Community Investment Fund 2030: $35M+ in secured state grants for transformational projects

We help identify which programs fit your project and navigate applications.
  1. Contact us first to discuss eligibility and feasibility
  2. Submit application with project plans, budget, financing, timeline
  3. Review process: Typically 60-90 days
  4. Get support: We guide you throughout

Diverse projects including:

  • TT Investments: 3 blighted buildings → 117 apartments
  • Reid & Hughes: 21 residential units
  • Water Street Lofts: 42 units
  • Ponemah Mills: 139 units
  • Small-scale commercial renovations to large-scale developments

Properties & Site Selection

  • AdvanceCT Site Selection Portal: Comprehensive Connecticut property database
  • Contact us directly: Personalized site selection, tours, and detailed information

We know every available property and can help you find the perfect fit.

Norwich's premier industrial opportunity:

  • 384 acres with 2M+ SF buildable space
  • 80-foot building height allowance
  • Direct I-395 access
  • Shovel-ready: Approved plans, permits in place
  • Anchor tenant secured with $11.3M state infrastructure funding
  • Labor shed: 1.99M people within 60 minutes, $150.8B regional economic output

Common requirements include:

  • Zoning approvals
  • Building permits
  • Site plan approvals
  • Environmental permits (if applicable)
  • Utility connections
  • Cannabis licensing (for cannabis businesses)

We provide regulatory navigation as a core service—identifying requirements, coordinating with departments, and troubleshooting obstacles.

Yes:

  • Occum Industrial Center: Shovel-ready with infrastructure funded
  • Downtown commercial spaces: 560,000 SF tenant-ready through Revitalization Program
  • Norwich State Hospital site
  • Waterfront properties
  • Brownfield sites: With Municipal Liability Relief Program support

Norwich Public Utilities provides competitive rates for electric, gas, water, and sewer.

We're your advocate and coordinator:

  • Facilitate communication with city departments
  • Attend meetings and troubleshoot issues
  • Leverage our 62 years of relationships
  • Help prepare complete applications
  • Identify concerns early and problem-solve

Business Support & Resources

Comprehensive, hands-on support:

  • Business development: One-on-one guidance, business plan review, strategy development
  • Grant & funding assistance: Program identification, application support
  • Site selection support: Property search, tours, comparative analysis
  • Permitting & regulatory navigation: Streamlined approvals, agency coordination
  • Workforce development: Hiring assistance, training connections
  • Networking: Business introductions, supplier connections, partnership facilitation
  • Foundry66 events, workshops, and business gatherings
  • Global City Norwich cultural connections
  • Business-to-business introductions
  • Supplier and partnership connections
  • Banking and professional services relationships

Full-service coworking space and business incubation center offering:

Physical Space:

  • Private offices, dedicated desks, hot desks
  • Meeting rooms and event space
  • High-speed internet and professional amenities

Business Support:

  • Mentorship programs
  • Workshops and training
  • Networking events
  • Direct NCDC resource access
  • Grant application assistance

Yes, that's the "Expansion" in BREAD. We support with:

  • Growth planning
  • Facility expansion assistance
  • Additional financing connections
  • Workforce scaling
  • Incentive programs for expansion projects

Helping existing businesses grow is exactly what we're designed to do.

Community Engagement

Our community engagement platform where residents shape development:

  • View current projects and provide feedback
  • Influence decisions through transparent process
  • Participate virtually at envisionnorwich360.com

NCDC's multicultural outreach initiative celebrating Norwich's diversity through:

  • Cultural programming and flag raising ceremonies
  • Heritage celebrations and international events
  • Downtown activation
  • Community-building that supports economic development
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