Justin Malley, Bristol
Development Authority

The city of Bristol, Conn. – a community of 60,000 residents with a storied manufacturing history – offers a unique package of incentives to entice new businesses. Located midway between Boston and New York City, Bristol offers the possibility of tax breaks, a unique grant program to encourage development, and other State incentives. Home of ESPN and just a short drive from some of the country’s largest aerospace firms, Bristol boasts a skilled local workforce, highly rated public schools, burgeoning downtown district, competitively priced housing options, and more.

Tax Benefits

The city’s Enterprise Zone encourages development in downtown Bristol. Eligible businesses in the zone, as well as large residential developments, may qualify for tax benefits. Most notably, these benefits may include either a five-year, 80% abatement of local property taxes on qualifying property or a seven-year program with a graduated yearly abatement schedule: 100%, 100%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%.

The Urban Jobs Program is available for manufacturers and warehousing firms located outside the geographic boundaries of the Enterprise Zone. Under this program, a manufacturer locating anywhere within city limits may be eligible for a five-year, 80% abatement of local property taxes. Warehouse firms are also eligible for the program, but must be undertaking new construction. 

The city also boasts a Bioscience Zone which provides a similar tax abatement schedule to businesses engaged in biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical/photonics research, development, or production. Bristol is located just eight miles from the Jackson Laboratory genetic research facility and University of Connecticut Health Center research hospital in Farmington.

In addition to the programs listed above, the city of Bristol may be able to tap additional tax abatement programs to aid other development projects.

Economic Assistance Grants

The city of Bristol also boasts a unique Local Grant Program for new construction, expansions, and other projects. The awarded grant amount is determined by several factors, including the investment being made by the company, new tax revenue associated with the project, the addition of employment opportunities to the community, and more. Recent success stories include a grant of $150,000 to a manufacturer that purchased land within the Southeast Bristol Business Park and constructed a 30,000 s/f facility. Also, an expanding spring manufacturer received $100,000 after relocating to an existing facility in need of significant renovations.

Available Property

Located on CT Rte. 229 just minutes from I-84 and ESPN’s world headquarters, the Southeast Bristol Business Park is attracting manufacturers and other companies interested in building the facility of their dreams. The park offers several building lots from 1.27 acres to over 6 acres in size, with the ability to combine lots for larger projects. The park is ideal for manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, biotech companies, and other corporate headquarters.

Located in the heart of downtown Bristol, up to 11 acres of land is available for a variety of downtown-friendly uses, from mixed-use, to residential, to office, to retail projects, and more. This downtown location is near public transit, government offices, a pending 150,000 s/f medical office complex, and more. The site is also within the Enterprise Zone, which offers the possibility of substantial property tax abatements.   

Attractive State Incentives

In addition to local incentives, the state of Connecticut offers incentive programs for businesses of all types and sizes. For example, the Small Business Express program may provide grant/loan assistance to companies with under 100 employees planning to relocate. Also, energy efficiency programs such as C-PACE incentivize the installation of energy saving equipment and renewable energy such as solar. 

Ready to Learn More?

It’s easy to learn more about bringing your company to Bristol. Visit www.bristolct.gov/BDA to put together an incentive package that can put your business where it needs to be: Bristol!

Justin Malley is the executive director of the Bristol Development Authority, Bristol, Conn.