December 23, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brattleboro Foreign Trade Zone LLC
Greg Worden,
(802) 257-7044
vtart@sover.net
Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development
David Mace
(802) 828-5229
david.mace@state.vt.us
BRATTLEBORO Federal officials have approved designation of Brattleboro as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), a move designed to help area businesses to flourish and create jobs.
With the stroke of a pen this week U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez created what may well be the largest foreign trade zone in the country. Brattleboro Foreign Trade Zone LLC (BFTZ) encompasses 14 sites totaling more than 316 acres throughout Brattleboro.
“This is the kind of innovation we need to attract new businesses and help existing ones expand,” Governor Jim Douglas said. “I commend local leaders for their efforts in making this possible.”
While most foreign trade zones are comprised of two or three large businesses and located in a centralized area, Brattleboro’s zone has sections in the north end, downtown and in the southern portions of town. This should allow for small and medium-sized companies to take advantage of the foreign trade zone benefits and help strengthen the Brattleboro’s tax base, according to Joseph Famolare, President of BFTZ.
“When these sites are activated, the businesses located there will enjoy numerous benefits, including faster delivery of imported goods and the opportunity to assemble or repackage goods before paying duty on the items they ship out,” Famolare said.
The designation represents the culmination of a three-year effort. The formal application to the Foreign Trade Zones Board was made in January of this year. Famolare said the original intent of the project was to give Brattleboro an extra boost to help fill existing empty warehouse space and help create good jobs. Fifty-one entities from throughout the town sought the designation, and 18 were included the formal application. Fourteen were eventually approved.
"From its inception our board has been pre-merchandising the Brattleboro Foreign Trade Zone to the rest of the U.S. and other countries. I believe that we are prepared to facilitate a successful and intelligent new growth of ventures with the business community of the State of Vermont,” according to Famolare. Famolare and the other BFTZ board members John Leader, Roger Allbee, James Cramer and Greg Worden worked diligently to gain local, state and federal support for the proposal, which is more inclusive and extensive than most foreign trade zones.
In addition to the backing of the Douglas administration, the entire Vermont congressional delegation; the Vermont General Assembly; and the town of Brattleboro lent their support.
“Due to the efforts of the BFTZ board to develop and pursue a new model for foreign trade zones, Brattleboro can look forward to renewed use and revitalization of empty industrial space in town. We believe the new Brattleboro Foreign Trade Zone will provide a positive long-term economic impact for Brattleboro and our surrounding area,² according to Brattleboro Town Manager Jerry Remillard.
“Businesses throughout Brattleboro and southern Vermont are model international trading partners,” said Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat-Vermont, who notified the BFTZ of the federal designation. “Now these businesses, and potentially many, many more, will have a new competitive advantage thanks to the Foreign Trade Zone designation. The Brattleboro Foreign Trade Zone is a true sign that Vermont has gone global.”
Senator James Jeffords, Independent-Vermont, said, “A foreign trade zone will benefit the entire Brattleboro economy. New jobs will be created, existing jobs secured, local businesses strengthened, and the health and vitality of the town will be greatly enhanced. Brattleboro is an ideal location for this endeavor, with its convenient access to Interstate Highway 91 allowing for easy travel to Boston, Hartford and New York. Many groups came together to make this a winning proposal, and I will continue to support these efforts now that the new trade zone has been established.”
“I am happy to have supported Brattleboro’s successful foreign trade zone application,” said Representative Bernard Sanders, Independent-Vermont. “This new
designation will hopefully lead to greater opportunities for manufacturing and assembly here in the U.S. for foreign markets. I congratulate those in Brattleboro who made this effort a success.”
The designated sites include the C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. facility on Old Ferry Road; the former Northeast Cooperatives building, now owned by Vermont Collateral Holdings LLC, on Technology Drive; Delta Industries LLC, the Omega Optical Delta Campus on Omega Drive; the Leader Distribution Systems Inc. complex on Putney Road; the DeWitt Beverage facility on Putney Road; Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Business Park (formerly the Book Press) on Putney Road and the Cotton Mill on Cotton Mill Hill; the Midtown Mall building on High Street; and the former Town Crier building on Town Crier Drive. Also included are a seven-acre site in the Exit One Industrial Park; 106-110 Main Street; Emerson’s Realty warehouse on Elliot Street; the Fischbach Industrial Building on Mercury Drive; and the Estey Organ Factory complex on Birge Street.