Bringing a new perspective: Curt Leng is the town’s economic development officer

 by Mark Jahne

Editor

Curt Leng was not born and bred here in Connecticut’s “most ancient” town. He has spent most of his personal and professional life in New Haven County.

When he came to town government this past October to become the new economic development manager, he didn’t bring with him any preconceptions about Wethersfield and its business community. He brought a fresh slate.

Leng replaced Gioia Zack, who left town employment for a job in the private sector. His family has lived in Hamden for four generations and he was involved in politics there, serving as mayor for more than six years.

“I won four elections,” he said. “I got involved in government very young. I started running for [Town] Council when I was a teenager and won my first seat when I was 20.”

He also served Hamden as its director of government operations and community development manager.

Curt Leng is the town's economic development manager. (Jahne)

“That was one of my favorite jobs,” he said of the latter.

Other jobs included three years as a deputy director of public housing in Bridgeport and executive director of the Winchester Housing Authority.

“I enjoyed working with the seniors,” Leng said.

The desire to get back into local government in some form is what led him to apply for the Wethersfield job. He is becoming familiar with the town and has a positive outlook.

“Wethersfield presented itself and things worked out,” he said.

A graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, he earned an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Connecticut and followed that up with a master’s degree in education/teaching.

Leng worked as a chief administrative officer for the previous mayor before winning election to the position himself. Hamden’s population is 60,000 and that is more than twice the size of Wethersfield.

It also has a council/strong mayor form of local government, as opposed to the council/manager model employed here.

“I’m kind of a Swiss Army knife because of my experience. The leadership here is very business friendly,” he said.

Leng’s job is not only to attract new businesses to locate here. It’s also to support existing businesses to help them grow and to discourage them from moving elsewhere. He is also expected to promote local businesses and the historic and cultural assets of this town.

He quickly learned that one of the most significant challenges is the fact that only 10 percent of the town’s land is zoned for business. That places great emphasis on redeveloping any under-utilized or vacant properties because the taxes businesses pay reduce the tax burden on homeowners.

One example is a proposal to redevelop a long-vacant nursing home on Jordan Lane into apartment units. The town utilized tax incentives to entice a developer to take on this project.

“The tax incentives certainly helped to bring that [deal] home. You need them to compete,” Leng said.

Another possible redevelopment is the former auction house on Church Street. A proposal under consideration is to convert it into a multi-use property featuring a restaurant, live entertainment venue and shared office space.

“Planning and Zoning approved some changes to the Weight Watchers” vacant building on the Silas Deane Highway to attract a developer who may bring a Chinese restaurant wholesale operation to town, he added.

“The Shop Rite plaza is an area that’s being talked about” at the north end of the Silas Deane. The Masonic Hall on Main Street in Old Wethersfield is being considered for three floors of retail use. The Five Below retail chain is also showing interest in opening a store somewhere in town.

“There are some places that want to expand” and Leng said he is working with them to find suitable space.

“I like the work that’s being done on the Silas Deane to make it more of a boulevard instead of a highway,” he added. “The bike/pedestrian group is very active here” and would benefit from those changes.

The Silas Deane is also part of a study currently taking place in conjunction with Rocky Hill. He was asked what would make this town even better.

“A few more events, a few more locations,” he said. “We need a large-sized mainstream hotel. We’re very hopeful for that one. The Planning and Zoning Commission is doing pre-applications” to ease the process for potential developments.

Leng plans to propose some new programs including better tax incentives and neighborhood revitalization zones to position Wethersfield to better compete for business growth with other cities and towns.

“It will add to the Wethersfield tool box,” he said.

One of many things that pleases him is that businesses regularly reach out to him seeking information about locating here. WL

To learn more about economic development in town call 860-721-2838 or see the town’s website wethersfieldct.gov and click on the economic development link.