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March 26, 2024

Lawmakers consider efforts to boost tourism at Mystic Seaport, CT shoreline

[Photos | Connecticut Office of Tourism ] The historic Mystic Seaport is among Connecticut’s top tourist attractions.
By David Krechevsky

Two bills that seek to improve tourism on the state’s shoreline will be considered when the state legislature’s Commerce Committee meets Tuesday.

The first, House Bill No. 5432, seeks to establish a working group to “develop a plan for expanding the tourism industry in the Mystic Seaport area of the towns of Stonington and Groton.” The second, HB 5189, would require a study of ways to promote and grow economic activity on the shoreline.

HB 5432 was proposed by Rep. Aundre Bumgardne ( D-Groton) who presented testimony in support of the bill during a public hearing on the bill held March 14. 

“Since last spring, municipal leaders, our state’s top tourism attractions including Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium, community groups, and residents have participated in locally led workshops and discussions on addressing our community transportation needs,” Bumgardner said. “I support any opportunity to collaborate with our partners to help facilitate investments to our region.”

He told the committee there are several projects already underway in the area, including Mystic Seaport’s proposal to restore the Rossie Velvet Mill as a multi-use facility that will open a new area of its campus to visitors.

“After their 50th anniversary, the Mystic Aquarium has many capital projects that are critical to the health and safety of their animals that they care for and rehabilitate,” Bumgardner said. “There are many ideas that have been proposed by my Stonington legislative colleagues that could be discussed by a working group organized by the Connecticut General Assembly.”

In addition to the mill project, Bumgardner said, a recent proposal from Rep. Greg Howard (R-Stonington) would earmark a portion of state taxes generated from tourism for public safety, while Sen. Heather Somers (R-Groton) “has championed enhanced water taxi service that would limit car traffic in our downtown core.”

He said he has also requested legislation that would return the lodging taxes associated with short-term rentals back to the community where the rental properties are located, allowing those communities to “receive back a small percentage of the significant revenue we generate for the state through tourism.” 

He also suggested that the state commissioner of Revenue Services or his designee should serve on the working group. 

“It is essential that the group engages with the public in an open and transparent process that involves input from all stakeholders, including residents, business owners, and community leaders,” Bumgardner said. “This process should include regular public meetings, where residents can voice their concerns and provide feedback on proposed developments with public comment opportunities.”

HB 5189 was also proposed by Bumgardner, as well as Rep. Travis Simms (D-Norwalk) and Rep. Holly H. Cheeseman (R-New London). The bill would require the commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to conduct a “study of the state's ‘blue economy’ and ways to promote and grow economic activity on the state's (shoreline) and waterways.”

The DECD commissioner would also be required to submit a report on the study’s results no  later than Jan. 1, 2025.

DECD Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe spoke against the bill during a public hearing held Feb. 27.

“While we understand the intent of this bill, we do not have the resources to undertake additional mandates, including studies,” O’Keefe said. “We would, however, be happy to lend our expertise and participate on a task force or working group on this important topic.”

Among those submitting testimony in support of the study was Groton-based Thayer Mahan, which develops and operates autonomous maritime surveillance technology.

In the unsigned written testimony, the company states that the United States is “an ocean nation with a growing blue economy.,” and notes that the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that mariner-related gross domestic product grew 4.2% from 2014 to 2019, “much faster than the 2.2% growth of the total U.S. gross domestic product.”

The company added that the American Association of Port Authorities reported the economic activity of America’s seaports grew 17% from 2014-18 to $5.4 trillion, or nearly 26% of the nation’s $20.5 trillion gross domestic product.

“American seaports are adding terminals and piers to meet demand for maritime commerce that is expected to triple by 2030,” the company stated. “As a coastal state, we believe Connecticut should promote and grow maritime economic activity, or the rapidly growing blue economy will benefit other states that do. “

The Commerce Committee was scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Room 1B of the Legislative Office Building.

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