Ports and railways. Those are the two key projects the City of New London wants to invest in to make the area competitive for trade and commerce.
New London Mayor Michael Passero teamed up with Senator Richard Blumenthal and the Connecticut Port Authority Friday to talk about plans to build up the port and freight rail service in New London. They didn't announce any specific projects, but say new jobs and new business is what they're after.
"(New London) was the richest city, the most prosperous city in the state because of this port. Because of this asset," Passero said, adding the state and federal governments have since failed to recognize the importance of the port in the city.
Applying for money for better lighting, fixing the rails and finding better ways to move cargo can go a long way, said Scott Bates, chairman of the Connecticut Port Authority.
It would also keep more trucks off the road, Blumenthal said, touting how using the ports or trains are less expensive and more environmentally friendly options. It also could New London very competitive on a global scale.
Currently the port only receives a shipment every three weeks, according to Joe Salvatore, program manager for the Connecticut Port Authority. He wants that number to ramp up to one shipment per week. But he understands it will take time.
All three leaders said the investment could create thousands of jobs, both permanent and temporary.
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"You're talking about construction jobs, then we get more shipping in here, you have longshoreman, you have truckers, you have people who run the restaurants down the hill," Bates said.
The Connecticut Port Authority is still working on a proposal, but Bates says it will ask for millions of dollars.
"So we can get the port moving to its full capacity," he said.
One possible plan is creating a commercial fishing pier.
"We buy all whole fish and we struggle to get our hands on a lot of this stuff most of the time. Availability of the species that we buy is not always there," said Shawn Overend of The Mystic Fishery/The Fishery.
Overend said these fisherman are bound to a lot of restrictions. But he is cautiously optimistic about a potential new commercial fisherman pier opening up in New London to provide even more purchasing options.
A recent $8.2 million grant will also help increase the New England Central Railroad's freight-carrying capacity that starts in New London and services Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Canada.
