Windham economic development director selected to head Norwich Community Development Corp.
May 18—NORWICH — The economic development director in Windham and formerly in the greater Danbury area, was chosen Tuesday as the new president of the Norwich Community Development Corp.
The NCDC board voted 12-1 in a special meeting Tuesday morning to offer the president position to James Bellano as the successor to former President Jason Vincent, who died Dec. 30 at New River Gorge, West Virginia. Bellano was selected over former Mohegan Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown after both were interviewed by the board Thursday.
NCDC Board Chairman Robert Buckley said Bellano was selected for his extensive experience in economic development in Windham and Danbury, his "numerous contacts" in state government, including the Department of Economic and Community Development, and his knowledge of commercial real estate. He also was cited for his experience in private-sector real estate development and real estate law.
"Basically, it just came down to his years of experience in municipal economic development," Buckley said. "We didn't have that many of the remaining candidates who had true direct economic development experience."
"It was a difficult choice," said Mayor Peter Nystrom, an NCDC board member. "Both people came in with lots of life experience I think many people found intriguing."
Norwich City Manager John Salomone voted against the selection. Salomone said Brown was a "dynamic person, who could have taken NCDC to a higher level." But he said he fully supports the selection of Bellano and will work with him as the city emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
"He will do a fine job and is very well suited to the work with his experience at the municipal level," Salomone said. "I'm excited about having a new person there, and I'll work closely with him. There's a lot for NCDC to do."
Buckley said after the meeting that he is waiting for Bellano's response to the offer. The final contract, salary and transition schedule is not yet set, but Buckley said he hopes Bellano can start within a month.
Bellano has served as economic development director in Windham for the past six years and served as interim town manager in 2017. He was responsible for grant writing for Windham departments and supervised administration of grants.
Prior to starting in Windham in 2015, Bellano served as real estate development manager for Scope Realty Associates in Danbury from 2006 to 2015. He was economic development director for the Housatonic Valley Economic Development Partnership in the greater Danbury area from 2000 to 2006.
Bellano could not be reached for comment immediately Tuesday morning.
In his application letter to NCDC, he cited his strong relationships with private sector developers, lending institutions and small businesses. He cited the city's assets, including Interstate 395 access, proximity to the region's two casinos, the Norwich business park and downtown.
"I see working with an organization like NCDC as a natural next step in my career path," he wrote in the application. "Perhaps the most attractive element of working for NCDC would be the potential I see within the city of Norwich."
