Economic Development Commission Members - 5 Members / 5 Year Term
| Shawn Curtis - Chairman | December 22, 2029 |
| Karen Murdoch - Secretary | December 22, 2026 |
| Matthew Beggs - Member | December 22, 2029 |
| Gail Kulas - Member | December 22, 2029 |
| Melissa Zelek - Member | December 22, 2028 |
Economic Development Commission Alternate Members - 2 Members / 2 Year Term
| Holly Bonasera - Alternate Member | May 21, 2028 |
| OPEN - Alternate Member | TBC |
About the Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) serves as the official body for analyzing economic trends and advising the town government on how to foster a healthier, more developed economic environment for local businesses and residents. Based on the Town of Somers, CT ordinances, the mission and purpose of the EDC is focused on research, recommendation, and coordination to improve the town's economic vitality:- Conduct Research: The Commission shall conduct research into the economic conditions and trends in the town.
- Make Recommendations: The Commission shall make recommendations to appropriate officials and agencies of the town regarding action to improve its economic condition and development.
- Coordinate Activities: The Commission shall seek to coordinate the activities of and cooperate with unofficial bodies (presumably groups and organizations related to business and development).
- Reporting: The Commission is required to annually prepare and transmit to the Town Report a report of its activities and its recommendations for improving economic conditions and development.
- January 27
- February 24
- March 31 (Rescheduled to Monday, March 30)
- April 28
- May 26
- June 16
- July 28
- August 25
- September 29
- October 27
- November 10
- December 15
Business Resources
Land Use & Development - Department Page & Resources
Town of Somers New Business Registration Form
Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) - Version January 2026-2029
State of CT Business Resource Center
CT Innovations - Venture Capital Arm
Metro Hartford Alliance
CT Main Street Center
Advance CT
CT Economic Development Association (CEDAS)
Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC)
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM)
CT Council of Small Towns (COST) - Economic & Community Development Resources
Connecticut Green Bank
Somers' Village Business Districts
Somers has two village centers, Somers Center and Somersville. Each has deep roots in the town’s history and a character worth respecting. The Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) identifies both as important civic hubs where business development should be focused. The Zoning Regulations support this with a dedicated Village Business (VB) zone in each village.
Zoning Map - Town of Somers
A Revenue Opportunity for Somers
Commercial Property in Somers - Resource Guide
Somers Center
Somers Center has been the heart of community life for nearly 300 years. Churches, town offices, shops and everyday services are all located here. The Town’s goal is for Somers Center to stay the focal point of the community. To get there, the POCD calls for a walkable, mixed-use village with buildings close to the street, wider sidewalks, safe crosswalks, shade trees, seating and pedestrian-scale lighting.
The State Department of Transportation is planning to realign the Route 190 and Route 83 intersection with a modern roundabout. Work could begin as early as spring 2029.
State of CT - PP-129-002 Intersection Improvements at Route 190 and Route 83 in the Town of Somers (Initial Drafts)
State of CT - PP-129-117 Intersection Improvements at Route 190 and Route 83 in the Town of Somers (September 2026 Drafts)
Somersville
Somersville grew up around a textile mill on the Scantic River in the 1800s. Homes for mill workers followed, and then the shops and services that served them. The mill closed in 1969, and the building was destroyed by fire in 2012.
The Town’s long-term vision for the village has not changed. The POCD calls for the mill property to be repurposed as an anchor for Somersville. It also supports new investment along Route 190 and nearby streets, and possibly a riverway along the Scantic River. Somersville is served by public sewer, and the treatment plant has been expanded with future growth and the mill site in mind.
Final Report - Ad Hoc Committee for Strategic Planning of the Somersville Mill Site - November 6, 2015
Somers Village Players Adaptive Reuse RFP
Somersville Mill Site Progress Update (September 2026)
Respecting Village Character
Somers does not have local historic districts. Some individual homes and buildings in and around both villages may be listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places. Every village has history that deserves consideration.
To protect that character, both villages are designated Village Districts under state law. Within a Village District, the Planning & Zoning Commission reviews the design and placement of buildings, signs, plantings and other features seen from the street. Commercial projects also get a mandatory review by the Town’s Design Advisory Board. The regulations encourage businesses to reuse and preserve existing buildings. New construction or renovation of homes is exempt from Village District review.
What Businesses Fit
The VB zone allows a wide range of village-scale uses, including:
- Retail shops and personal services
- Offices and banks
- Restaurants, including outdoor seating
- Taverns and inns
- Wineries, breweries and distilleries
Mixed-use buildings are also allowed and encouraged by the POCD. These put a business on the ground floor and apartments on the upper floors. Drive-throughs are not permitted in the VB zone.
Plan of Conservation & Development (POCD) - Version January 2026-2029
Built for Walking
| Standard | Village Business zone |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area | 20,000 sq ft (with sewer); 40,000 sq ft (septic) |
| Minimum frontage | 75 ft |
| Business front setback | 5 ft minimum, 15 ft maximum |
| Maximum height | 35 ft / 2.5 stories; mixed-use 40 ft / 3.5 stories |
| Maximum impervious coverage | 60% |
Getting Started
Most business uses in the VB zone require a Special Use Permit from the Planning & Zoning Commission. Contact the Land Use Office early to talk through your project. You can reach Jennifer Roy, Assistant Director of Land Use / Zoning Enforcement Officer, at (860) 763-8220 or jroy@somersct.gov.
Land Use & Development - Department Page & Resources
The Economic Development Commission is also glad to help connect prospective businesses with resources and town contacts. Contact us via email: edc@somersct.gov.
Learn more: Somers Plan of Conservation and Development 2026–2029 (Planning & Zoning Commission page) and Zoning Regulations, Chapter 214, Article IV (ecode360.com/8851811).
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