City gets Silver certification in economic development

WEST HAVEN, May 2, 2022 — West Haven was among 12 cities and towns certified by the Connecticut Economic Development Association on Thursday for exemplifying best practices in economic development and land use.

CEDAS Board President Kristen Gorski announced West Haven as one of eight municipalities certified as a 2022 Silver community, joining the neighboring towns of Guilford, Hamden, North Branford and Woodbridge.

Three others achieved Gold certification, and one achieved Bronze status.

“I commend this year’s accreditation recipients,” Gorski said. “To become a certified community is an immense achievement, which is a tribute to each municipality’s dedication to reviewing existing strategies, determining areas where the community excels, recognizing areas of improvement and actively focusing on advancing economic vitality.”

According to Gorski, the certified municipalities participated in a “rigorous” application review process that required documentation of procedures for development projects, community engagement and consideration of economic development strategies.

The application consisted of four components: communications and marketing, coordination and collaboration, organizational capacity and strategy, and policies and programs.

“I am honored to announce that West Haven has been certified for best practices in land use and economic development,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said. “This certification would not have been possible without the hard work of city leaders, volunteers, stakeholders and residents, who have been working tirelessly on multiple development projects through the years.”

Rossi added: “Projects like the raising of Beach Street, the renovation of the Allingtown Green and the opening of New England Brewing Co. demonstrate the leadership and innovation of West Haven as a model municipality in Connecticut. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the leaders of our community who have paved the way for this honor and to the Connecticut Economic Development Association, which has been recognizing sustainability, development and best practices since it began the certification program in 2019.”

Gorski said CEDAS created the Best Practices Certification Program “to improve the overall quality of economic development services by creating process standards; to drive communities to pursue excellence in land use and economic development by recognizing communities with best practices; to accelerate sharing of best practices among community decision-makers; and to encourage more transparent, efficient, community-engaged economic development throughout Connecticut.”

CEDAS, based on Long Wharf Drive in New Haven, will present awards to the certified municipalities in June.

CEDAS is a not-for-profit membership organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development in Connecticut. The organization provides a forum for the economic development community, hosts educational programs, fosters sustainable economic growth and advocates to improve the state’s economy.

Details at CEDAS.

Genesis Medica opens walk-in medical center in West Haven

Genesis Medica opens walk-in medical center on Rte. 34

WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2022 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, cuts the ribbon with Genesis Medica owner Dr. Sanjay Aggarwal on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of the walk-in medical center’s West Haven office at 518 Derby Ave.

Marking the event are, from left, Genesis Medica advanced practice registered nurse Maureen Jones, office coordinator Alexis Ellison, physical therapist John Armstrong and administrator Sherri Fusco.

The rebuilt West Haven location, formerly Tony & Gary Hair Salon, is Genesis Medica’s newest walk-in center for primary care and addiction medicine.

The 1,800-square-foot office flanks the city’s bustling Route 34 commercial corridor and joins Genesis walk-in centers in Milford and New Haven.

Genesis specializes in patient-centered care tailored to individual needs, said Aggarwal, the lead physician.

Services are offered for wellness and illness visits, smoking cessation, health screenings, physicals, allergy testing, chronic illness management, weight loss management and opioid addiction treatment.

Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurances are accepted.

The West Haven office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Applications accepted for neighborhood tax credit program

WEST HAVEN, April 13, 2022 — The West Haven Community Development Administration is accepting applications for the 2022 Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.

The program is designed to provide funding for municipal and tax-exempt organizations by providing a corporation business tax credit for businesses that make cash contributions to those entities.

To participate, municipal and tax-exempt organizations must complete a program proposal application. The fillable “NAA-01” form is available with detailed instructions at NAA Tax Credit Program.

Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. May 13 to the CDA office on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

The May 13 deadline will allow CDA officials to meet deadlines with the City Council for a public hearing and to submit approved applications to the state by July 1.

Those with questions can call CDA administrative assistant Rosa Richardson at 203-937-3546.

Marchers sought for West Haven Memorial Day parade

WEST HAVEN, March 9, 2022 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council are seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 30.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations for the procession, which has no rain date.

The city will provide transportation for veterans who are unable to walk the 1 ½-mile parade route, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

The parade grand marshal is Emery Linton Sr., an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Download a Participation Form.

Forms are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due May 6.

Completed forms must be faxed to 203-937-3705 or mailed to the West Haven Memorial Day Parade, Office of the Mayor, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.