EDC Details Cigna Meeting, Grant Push

Other Committee · Meeting of September 8, 2026

BLOOMFIELD — The Bloomfield Economic Development Commission reviewed an update on a first Cigna leadership meeting in years and advanced a Toby Road signage rebrand. Consultant Dave told the commission town officials, including Town Manager John Coleman, met with Cigna CEO Brian Ivanko's team about reviving ties and possible land use for retail. Consultant Denise said the town's $4 million stake plus a requested $12 million from the state represents about 20 percent of an $80 million to $100 million town center project, with an $11.2 million state grant decision expected around September 18.

Resident Steve Kaplan said existing sign plaques cost "about twelve hundred dollars if not more" and offered event space at his building. The commission set a district tour for November 10, a public meeting the same week, and moved its regular November session to a special November 17 meeting.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,675 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

Call to Order and Minutes

The Bloomfield Economic Development Commission opened its September 8 meeting at 8:31 a.m. with what the presiding member described as a quorum of three, though five participants were present on the call. Commissioners approved the August 11, 2026 minutes without discussion, on a unanimous voice vote. The only other procedural action of the meeting was a unanimous vote to adjourn at the close of the session.

EDC Consultant Reports: The Cigna Meeting

Background and stakes: The commission has for years sought a working relationship with Cigna, one of Bloomfield's largest corporate presences, after what a consultant identified as Dave described as repeated unsuccessful attempts to secure a meeting with former chief executive David Cordani.

The question before the body: whether a recent meeting with Cigna's new leadership opened a path toward renewed cooperation on development, arts programming, and funding support.

Substantive content: Dave told commissioners that town officials, including the mayor, an official identified only as Al, and Town Manager John Coleman, met with Cigna's new CEO, Brian Ivanko, and his government relations staff. The meeting was arranged by Brian Cutterback, described in the meeting as the town's Cigna liaison. Dave said the session was "cordial" and that Ivanko was open to discussing a renewed relationship with other Cigna executives. Topics raised included the town's concert series and whether Cigna would open some of its land, including a parcel previously slated for donation to a children's museum, for retail development through Cigna's real estate team. Dave said he gave Cigna's federal, state and local government relations contacts the town's full downtown redevelopment plan, with a request that they raise it with legislators in Washington and Hartford, and separately briefed a local legislative contact identified as Christine Keeley.

The deliberation: a commissioner asked whether there was any indication the town would actually receive requested funding this round, noting a previous indication did not pan out. Dave and Denise, another consultant, said it was "hard to tell," but noted a recent meeting with state Senator Slap and incoming state representatives identified as Kahn and Gibson. Denise argued that publicizing the town's $4 million contribution toward the project was important so residents understood the scale of local buy-in.

"I think it should be made very public so that the residents who feel that it was an improper thing or unnecessary, so they understand better," [00:04:47] — Denise, economic development consultant.

Outcome and what is next: No vote was taken; the item was informational. Commissioners did not set a follow-up date specific to Cigna relations, though the broader town center funding question recurred later in the meeting.

Town Center Grant and Developer RFP

Background and stakes: The town center redevelopment is envisioned as a mixed-use project anchored by an expanded town green, intended to draw private investment alongside public funding.

The question before the body: an update on the status of a request for proposals sent to developers and a pending state grant decision.

Substantive content: Denise told the commission the town's $4 million contribution combined with a requested $12 million from the state represents about 20 percent of the roughly $80 million to $100 million total project cost, the remainder to come from a private developer. An RFP for the project went out to about 25 developers personally contacted by consultants Mike, Justin and Brad, under Mike's name, and a developer information webinar drew roughly six firms. Written questions, limited to three, were required to be submitted afterward to comply with procurement rules; materials from that session are posted on the town's bid page under the town center RFQ/RFP listing. The project would be located in the Bloomfield Center District, a mixed-use zone, and would roughly double the size of the town green to accommodate larger community events.

The deliberation: a commissioner asked whether the project, if funded, would take years to materialize. Denise responded that developer selection and buildout take time regardless of funding timing. Separately, commissioners discussed a related $11.2 million state Community Investment Fund grant, which Denise said is moving through a review process that includes state Representative Matt Ritter and roughly a dozen other legislators, with a program official identified as Matt Pugilis at the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development reviewing applications before a recommendation goes to the governor. Denise said town officials, including the deputy mayor, met last month to press for legislative backing, calling it "the political push for it right now."

Outcome and what is next: No vote was taken. A decision on the $11.2 million grant was expected around September 18, after the meeting date.

Special Permit Process Review

Background and stakes: Members and staff have previously flagged the Bloomfield Center District's special permit requirement as a barrier to small businesses changing uses, such as converting a nail salon to a barber shop.

The question before the body: whether staff were working on a fix, and who was leading that effort.

Substantive content: Justin, a staff member working on zoning matters, said towns generally try to minimize special permit requirements where possible, since the process requires a public hearing, newspaper notice, added expense and added time compared with a standard site plan application. A commissioner noted the issue was especially acute for small operators at 31 Toby Road.

"It takes significantly more time than going just through a site plan application. It requires a public hearing, it has to be noticed in the paper, it's more expensive, it's more time consuming," [00:10:11] — Justin, town staff.

The deliberation: a commissioner said the existing rule "almost feels like a way to not let businesses come into town," calling its effect "a very negative connotation." Another commissioner said Town Manager John Coleman and a staff member identified as Linda were working through possible changes, though neither was present to confirm specifics; Justin was asked to follow up with John Coleman by phone during the meeting.

Outcome and what is next: No vote was taken. The item remains with town staff for further review; no date was set for a proposed amendment.

BEAT District Branding and Signage Proposal

Background and stakes: The commission had previously asked the branding firm Artifacts to design new gateway signage for the Bloomfield Entertainment Arts and Trades district (BEAT) after an earlier concept, built around the word "bad," drew a strong negative reaction from district businesses. The district's existing signage is old, and the plaza fountain was cited as a comparable maintenance failure to avoid repeating.

The question before the body: which of several new sign concepts to advance, and how to build community buy-in before taking a design to the town.

Substantive content: Artifacts presented roughly five design options, shared on screen by a staff member identified as Rebecca, for primary signs at Toby Road and Cottage Grove and at Toby Road and Granby Street, plus smaller secondary signage. Designs varied in their use of a script "B," a color palette echoing but not matching the town's green signage, and dimensional elements referencing the town seal. All versions were built around swappable tenant name panels to address the existing problem of outdated signage. One commissioner favored a version with added dimensional "peak" detailing and a seal-like round element; a commissioner described as an entrepreneur in the group said she preferred the same option "but just different."

The deliberation: the presiding member said she did not want to bring a design to the town yet and instead wanted to route it through the Arts Commission and the Design Review Board first, and to hold a tenant and public meeting to build buy-in among the district's business community before finalizing anything. Justin said buy-in from district businesses was essential, since "if it's just the town saying we're going to do this and there's no buy-in from the community in that area, it's not really going to amount to much." On payment, the commission confirmed any business wanting its name on new signage would pay for that slot, likely on an annual basis, similar to the town's existing paid plaque system; Home Depot and Lowe's panels were cited as the baseline example already in place.

Outcome and what is next: No design was formally selected. The commission agreed to seek Arts Commission and Design Review Board feedback and to hold a public tenant meeting before any decision reaches the town.

Scheduling: Tour, Public Meeting, and Special Meetings

Substantive content and outcome: After discussion of holiday timing constraints, commissioners settled on a sequence: a bus tour of the district on November 10, with an option to drive individually, followed immediately by a presentation at Artifacts' conference room in lieu of a separate public meeting location; and a special commission meeting on November 17 to replace the canceled regular November session. A separate special meeting, already planned for October 6, was reconfirmed because a member will be traveling. Commissioners ruled out a public meeting the week of November 3 due to municipal elections and avoided the week of Thanksgiving. One commissioner, Steve Kaplan, offered an event space and a vacant former dance studio at his Toby Road building as an alternative to holding the meeting at the Hooker site to avoid any appearance of favoritism; staff indicated no other business in the district currently has comparable event space.

Town Council Commissioner Vacancies

A staff member identified as Linda confirmed, after checking, that the Town Council was expected to make recommendations for two open commission seats at its meeting Monday, October 14, after conflicting references earlier in the meeting to the 18th and the 24th. Commissioners asked to be notified by email once the date was confirmed so members could watch or attend.

Public Comment: Steve Kaplan

Steve Kaplan, who owns a building at 31 Toby Road, told the commission during public comment that he and other businesses previously paid for sign plaques at the Toby Road and Cottage Grove, and Toby Road and Granby Street intersections, at a cost he recalled as roughly $1,200 or more per plaque, through an effort run years earlier by a former economic development staffer he identified as Deborah Davis. Kaplan said he currently owns two plaques at one intersection and five at the other, that a daycare center on Toby Road had used two of his plaque slots and agreed to return them when he is ready to reuse them, and that other property owners, including a funeral home, similarly paid for their sign placements.

Commissioner Updates: Public Art and Copaco Gateway

A commissioner reported a conversation with Dustin Hicks, a business owner who recently went before the Town Plan and Zoning Commission for facade and signage renovations, saying Hicks has contracted with a Hartford muralist for public art on his buildings and agreed to examine signage at the Copaco property, which the commissioner described as "the gateway to our district."

Plan of Conservation and Development Update

Background and stakes: The town's POCD update has been in progress for some time and carries implementation consequences for zoning in the Toby Road and Granby Street corridor.

The question before the body: the status of the final draft and its effect on the commercial district commissioners oversee.

Substantive content: Linda, presenting the town planner's report, said a final draft book was printed and distributed to the POCD commission at its August 27 meeting, with staff meeting the POCD chair the next day to schedule a special review meeting. A public hearing is expected within 65 days of that review, with adoption targeted for November or December. The proposed future land use map would reclassify the industrial area around Granby and Toby Roads, currently shown in purple as all-industrial, as "mixed use one," one of two mixed-use categories distinguished by residential density. Linda said the POCD would allow "middle housing" of up to nine units by right in any commercial district townwide, a change she characterized as small in scale. A separate zoning amendment to address food trucks was described as a future implementation item requiring its own analysis.

The deliberation: a commissioner asked whether the changes would affect businesses in the district doing manufacturing or industrial work; Linda said yes, zoning in that area would ultimately change even if the current zone remains designated industrial on paper, since POCD implementation would drive rezoning.

Outcome and what is next: No vote was taken on the POCD itself at this meeting; the public hearing and adoption timeline fall to the separate POCD commission.

Town Center Development and Infrastructure Update

Substantive content: Staff confirmed construction has begun on a Popeyes location, after what one commissioner described as persistent outreach to Perdue, identified as the corporate owner of the Popeyes brand. Separately, commissioners asked about visible construction activity near Witchy Berry Avenue, across from Carbone's Kitchen; a commissioner identified as Denise said crews are relaying track on the Griffin rail line, mobilizing in an area near the old train station and extending toward the former Home Depot warehouse site, with similar work also underway in Enfield.

Development Agency Visits

Dave reported on a visit to a Toby Road manufacturer undertaking a 10,000-square-foot addition, a contract manufacturer he said builds equipment such as conveyor systems for clients including Amazon and components for aerospace clients. The company's owner, identified as Jonathan Pierce, is pursuing an enterprise zone application and expressed enthusiasm for the commission's district improvement efforts and interest in joining a group to clean up the area. Dave also described a meeting with an executive at a GE facility near Verona Street who raised concerns about road conditions; staff said the town's public works department could not widen the road but is examining other options, and the executive separately raised a request to use parking at a neighboring property.

Bonnie — presided over the meeting and led the branding and scheduling discussion; role and surname not confirmed in available sources. Denise — economic development consultant; participated by phone. Mike — economic development consultant; participated by phone, initially muted. Dave — economic development consultant; reported on the Cigna meeting and a manufacturer site visit. Trish — commissioner, described in the meeting as "the entrepreneur in the group." Sadiq — commissioner; participated by phone. Vivian ("Viv") — commissioner with a design background; confirmed availability for the October 6 special meeting. Justin — town staff member working on zoning, RFP and economic development matters. Linda — town staff member; delivered the town planner's report and POCD update; participated remotely. Rebecca — staff member who managed screen-sharing and virtual meeting logistics. John Coleman — Town Manager; absent, reported traveling back from Cape Cod. Steve Kaplan — public commenter, business owner at 31 Toby Road. Deborah Davis ("Debbie") — former economic development official referenced by Kaplan; not present. Dustin Hicks — business owner referenced regarding a Town Plan and Zoning Commission facade application; not present. Jonathan Pierce — Toby Road manufacturer and property owner referenced regarding an enterprise zone application; not present.

Cigna — insurer whose new chief executive, Brian Ivanko, met with town officials in a relationship-building session discussed at length. Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) — administers the Community Investment Fund grant the town is pursuing for the town center project. Artifacts — branding and signage contractor that presented BEAT district design concepts. Arts Commission — body the commission plans to consult before finalizing branding. Design Review Board — body the commission plans to consult before finalizing branding. Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ) — approves special permits in the Bloomfield Center District; also referenced regarding Dustin Hicks' facade application. Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) — final draft distributed August 27, 2026; cited for proposed future land use map changes and middle housing provisions. Griffin railroad line — subject of ongoing track relay work near Cottage Grove. Perdue (Purdue Poultry) — identified as corporate owner of the Popeyes location under construction. GE / Verona Street facility — executive raised road-condition concerns addressed in the development agency update.