Town of East Lyme, CT

GIS Economic Gardening Program and Development Center Services:

If you are thinking of starting a business, this is the place to be. The Department of Planning's Economic Gardening Program now hosts a powerful set of tools that local businesses can use to help their small business grow and succeed. The information contained within this set of tools is current, up-to-date information of numerous resources available to businesses, as well as a comprehensive one-stop-shop of business formation regulation information.

We have resources to help you go from idea to opening your business. The first step for any propsective business owner is to visit the Department of Planning's GIS Economic Gardening Program and Development Center. The GIS Economic Gardening and Development Center can assit you in property identification, researching demographics,  navigating the various local commissions and departments, as well as some state agencies to bring your business idea to reality.

A prospective business owner may meet by appoint with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , in an informal format which allows prospective entreprenuers to discuss thier initial plans. In addtion to basic information that would need to be formally reviewed in subsequent applications, a Development Services Team, comprised of applicable Department Heads, would be assembled. The Development Services Team could then provide insight into special considerations, which should be addressed in developing thier project.

GIS Component of Economic Gardening:

Combines GIS technology with extensive demographic, consumer spending, and business data for the entire United States to deliver on-demand, boardroom-ready reports and maps. GIS uses over 3,000 variables for demographic, consumer spending, business, and traffic data. These data variables can be analyzed in a geographic context as granular as block groups, census tracts, or ZIP Codes.

Instantly Visualize Data:

• Identify locations of existing customers or sites
• Find new customers based on the characteristics of your most profitable existing customers
• Analyze market areas to show the proximity of your stores to those of your competitors and discover opportunities for new store locations or store consolidations
• Reach your customers effectively through targeted marketing messages and channels by identifying specific market segments and their preferred media and communication choices
• Identify your most profitable customers and find more like them by analyzing current spending versus potential spending
• Search/explore businesses you can target for your products and services
• Compare prospective sites you are considering for a new business location by generating comparison reports based on hundreds of variables
• Perform drive-time traffic analysis; visualize the results in a map; and make more informed and timely decisions about how to adapt and react to changes in your marketplace 

How Does It Work:

We will meet business owners for about an hour in a "strategy session," to identify how best we can help your business grow and succeed. Depending upon your needs, we will generate reports, identify your core and developing customers, analyze your website, and identify potential real-estate opportunities (both inside East Lyme and nationwide) where your business will have the best chance at success.

Call us today for additional information about the East Lyme GIS Economic Gardening Program and how to get started, at 860-691-4114 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thinking of Opening a Business? / Do you Already Own or Manage a Business in East Lyme?

We would like to help you grow!

Economic Gardening, first introduced in the mid 1980's, is now seeing a more prevalent use here in Connecticut. The term, "Economic Gardening", in short, means to cultivate existing business into Economic Growth in our town.

As we discussed above, with the use of our Planning Department's Geographic Information System (GIS), and other town available data, we can help your business grow and expand. From small home based businesses to larger, commercial operations, the Town of East Lyme is ready, willing and able to help you develop the tools necessary to function as a successful business.

The first step in growing or opening any business is to become educated in business. By going to school, taking classes, and getting degrees and certifications a business owner's credibility increases. Classes and conferences help new owners and existing owners to network with other businesses and agencies to get a glimpse of what the actual market will be like.

Helpful resources:

Connecticut Small Business Development Center offers free events and workshops for small business owners: http://www.ctsbdc.org/

Connecticut Licensing Info Center offers information on registering and licensing information for various types of businesses through the various state agencies, including businesses that require certifications: http://www.ct-clic.com/content/smart_start_for_business.asp

SCORE http://www.southeasternctscore.org  - Service Corps of Retired Executives  is a nonprofit organization that is federally supported to provide free business mentoring and low cost training to aspiring and existing business owners. Resources include workshops and advice for all categories of business owners and their environments. Lead by an in-depth board of directors and management teams, this site enables entrepreneurs to succeed.

Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (SECTER) offers information on structuring a business, as well as various other tools, including free events with local agencies: http://secter.org/Home/Tools/StartingaBusiness/tabid/99/Default.aspx

Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce is a collaborative of business and community leaders dedicated to securing and enhancing the economic vitality of eastern Connecticut by providing forums for business networking, leadership development and educational programs, and promoting a strong and sustainable regional economy by acting as "the voice of business" for the region creating regional awareness locally, statewide and nationally: http://www.chamberect.com/