NVCOG serves as a regional contact for the Connecticut Enterprise Corridor Zone Program, which the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) administers.
Businesses that operate in ECZ-eligible municipalities—Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour, Torrington, Winchester—can access:
- Local property tax abatement on eligible real and personal property
- State corporate business tax credit for eligible businesses
How ECZ Eligibility Works
The Naugatuck Valley Region uses a unique ECZ structure that does not rely on fixed geographic boundaries. Instead, the program ties eligibility to how businesses use the property and whether they submit an approved application.
To qualify:
- A business must operate on property zoned for commercial or industrial use
- The business operator must conduct an eligible activity
- The property owner or tenant must submit a complete application to DECD
Please note:
- All commercial and industrially zoned properties in the regional ECZ can qualify for benefits.
- Although the program applies the benefits to the owner’s real estate tax and the tenant’s personal property taxes (and potentially other state tax liabilities), the exemption does not automatically transfer to the new owner at sale. The new owner or operator must submit a new application to receive the tax exemption.
The ECZ eligibility process begins when the eligible business operator submits an application to DECD. Once the application is filed with the state, reviewed—and if approved—the state Office of Policy & Management (OPM) will send the notice of tax exemption to the town tax assessor.
General information from DECD:
- DECD list of participating municipalities in the Enterprise Zone program: A Summary of Connecticut’s Enterprise Zone Program–Contact
- Dedicated EZ program phone number: 860-500-2456
- Dedicated EZ program email address: DECDenterprisezone@ct.gov
- Enterprise Zone Program Manager: Cowlis Andrews, Community Development Specialist, Office of Business Development, andrews@ct.gov
- DECD does not guarantee that a prospective business will receive a certificate of eligibility. If approved, the municipality handles the exemption claims process. When needed, the State and municipalities will review questions or concerns about eligibility or denials. Incomplete application packages, or discrepancies in documentation can cause delays, move the application review to a later program year, and/or result in denial of eligibility.
Refer to the guiding State statue here: CGS Chapter 585 – Enterprise Zones, Entertainment Districts, Enterprise Corridor Zones and Airport Development Zones.
Enterprise Zones
Some of the larger NVCOG municipalities may qualify for business tax incentives offered through the state’s Enterprise Zone Program, which supports property development in distressed areas
Opportunity Zones
The NVCOG communities of Ansonia, Bristol, Naugatuck and Waterbury include Opportunity Zones, which offer federal tax incentives for investment and revitalization projects.
Staff Contact
Drew Baklik
Director of Municipal Affairs
dbaklik@nvcogct.gov