State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Connecticut > Title32 > Chap588k > Sec32-201

      Sec. 32-201. Legislative finding. It is hereby found and declared that a conference or exhibition facility located in the city of Stamford will attract a significant share of the conference and trade shows which rotate among those cities that have adequate transportation, exhibition, meeting and hotel facilities and which constitute a substantial economic activity in this country; that preliminary studies have indicated that an adequate conference or exhibition facility can be constructed on an available site in the town and city of Stamford with appropriate transportation and parking facilities nearby; that preliminary economic feasibility analyses respecting the planning for a new conference or exhibition facility in Stamford shall show that new spending by visitors to anticipated conferences and trade shows should generate an increase in revenues to the state from the various taxes now in effect at least sufficient to pay debt service on the bonds issued to finance the costs of constructing, and to cover certain operating expenses of the conference or exhibition facility; that, because of its location close to existing hospitality facilities and New York's two major airports, and tourism areas such as Norwalk, New Haven and New York City, the town and city of Stamford appears to have geographic advantage in attracting conference and trade shows; that the nation's eastern and western cities are at a disadvantage when compared to the midwestern cities with respect to transportation costs throughout the country, but that with a modern and attractive conference or exhibition facility combined with the historical, cultural, recreational and natural attractiveness of the Connecticut area, such disadvantages can be overcome, all to the benefit of the state economy. Such preliminary analyses shall further show that as a result of the incremental tax revenues to the state, it is not necessary for any municipality to burden its real property tax base to secure such bonds especially since each such base is otherwise needed for essential municipal and regional infrastructure facilities and services; that a successful conference or exhibition facility will diversify the state economy by adding to the benefits of the hospitality industry and broadening the base of the tourism effort; that a failure to construct the conference or exhibition facility will result in the loss of the additional jobs attendant from such construction and operation, including, particularly the ancillary permanent service jobs that can be expected to be added as a result thereof; that other major cities in the northeastern region outside of the state are contemplating the construction of convention or exhibition facilities and, accordingly, the state may miss an economic development opportunity and risks a loss of the competitiveness in attracting business to the state if a conference or exhibition facility is not constructed; that the construction and operation of the existing Hartford Civic Center has proven that a governmental anchor facility can stimulate substantial surrounding economic development and that it is now time for another governmental facility to be constructed in order to stimulate the development and expansion of the area in lower Fairfield County and to complement and coordinate the substantial private development activities now going on in downtown Stamford; that a conference or exhibition facility creates substantial interest in restaurants and other entertainment activities all of which should help assure that the downtown area of the city will be a safe, healthy and vibrant place during the day and evening; and that the recent slowdown in construction and generally depressed business climate in lower Fairfield County indicate that it is appropriate for the state at this time to stimulate new job opportunities and to seek to develop and attract the conference and trade show industry by the construction of a convention or exhibition facility and that, therefore, the necessity in the public interest and for the public benefit and good for the provisions of sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive, is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination; and that, because of the foregoing, the provision of statutory authorization for the necessary state structure, which can take initiative and appropriate action to provide for the financing, construction, ownership and operation of a conference or exhibition facility in the town and city of Stamford is a matter of important public interest and that it is the purpose and intent of the General Assembly to be and remain cognizant not only of its responsibility to authorize and establish the necessary state and local structure and powers for the effective accomplishment of the purposes of a Lower Fairfield County Conference or Exhibition Authority, but also of its responsibility to monitor and supervise the activities and operations of the authority created by sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive, and the exercise of the powers conferred upon such authority by virtue of said sections.

      (P.A. 90-320, S. 2, 14.)