CREATIVITY & THE ARTS: FEATURED STORY
City of New Haven Entertainment District
On March 22, 2010 the city Office of Economic Development and the Economic Development Corp. (EDC) of New Haven announced the incentive program, called “Produce It Here.” They are administering the program in cooperation with the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
Businesses in certain parts of New Haven are eligible to receive the tax breaks because they are within a state-designated “entertainment district,” but the program is being expanded to any qualifying business in the city.
The geographic areas of the District somewhat mirror the City’s planned areas of development such as; Science Park, Mill River (including parts of Grand Avenue), Downtown and Erector Square (Peck Street).
The tax benefit provides an 80% abatement for personal property tax for five years for businesses new to these designated areas whose business functions fall into the entertainment sector designation. (The State maintains a statute mandating what type of business qualifies.)
Currently the City’s Department of Economic Development and the EDC are in negotiations with a video game designer, and an animated film producer to relocate here from the West Coast. These companies would add to the city’s growing hub of innovative digital and computer based companies.
