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NILES -- City Council has passed a new resolution allowing the city to team up with Gearmar Properties, a company that owns about 122 acres of land in Weathersfield.
This agreement, called an expedited type one annexation, will let the land become part of Niles, which council expects to attract new businesses and growth in the area.
City leaders, including Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz, said they've been working with the company for over a year to make this happen. The agreement includes Weathersfield, which approved the annexation at a Sept. 18 meeting.
Weathersfield Township Administrator David Rouan said at that time the annexation agreement was reached to foster economic development that will benefit both the township and the city.
He said the property, which is located on North Main Street, west of Route 169 near BRT Steel, will be annexed into Niles but remain in the township, which will receive the property tax, while the city will receive the income tax from whatever Gearmar builds on the land.
"This is a big deal for Niles," said council member Doug Solitto, D-At large. "It's a lot of land, and while it won't happen overnight, it will bring new businesses and money to the city over time."
The annexation means Gearmar Properties will get lower utility rates and access to special programs, like tax breaks, that Niles offers to businesses. These benefits could help the company expand, possibly doubling the size of its current operations, according to council member Aaron Johnstone, D-2nd Ward.
While no one knows exactly what Gearmar Properties plans to build yet, the company has been talking with city leaders about future ideas. The plan still needs final approval from county commissioners, who will review it soon. Mientkiewicz is confident the agreement will go through smoothly since all parties agree.
The land was once home to the Brainard Strapping plant, which Gearmar Properties bought in 2005. Now, this large piece of land could bring new opportunities to Niles, by creating jobs and helping the city grow.