CT HB06529

Expands Connecticut's airport development zone program from one zone to two zones, adding a new zone around Oxford Airport comprising census tracts in the towns of Middlebury, Oxford, and Southbury (tracts 3442, 3461.01, 3461.02, and 3481.21), effective October 1, 2012.

The existing airport development zone surrounding Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Suffield, East Granby, and Windsor is retained with its specified census blocks.

Extends property tax exemptions for manufacturing facilities, service facilities, and associated machinery/equipment to qualifying businesses located in the new Oxford Airport development zone, consistent with benefits already available in enterprise zones and the existing Bradley Airport zone.

Requires the state to make annual grant payments to municipalities within any airport development zone equal to 50% of the tax revenue lost due to the manufacturing facility and equipment exemptions, with claims filed by August 1 each year.

Qualifying uses in an airport development zone include warehousing or freight distribution of goods transported by aircraft, as well as businesses dependent upon or directly related to the airport (e.g., information technology and other business services), while excluding certain retail and personal service establishments.