While Norwich has had a cannabis retailer, Zen Leaf Dispensary, since last year, it’s yet to have a cannabis cultivator.
On Thursday, the Norwich Commission on the City Plan held a site walk for Nautilus Botanicals LLC at 105 Stonington Road for its proposed cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility. The Commission on the City Plan will hold a public hearing on the site on Aug. 20.
The property is a currently wooded area on the border of Norwich and Preston. The development will be in three phases, with 2,100 square feet of modular trailers for temporary use. The finished project will have a 9,600-square-foot building and two greenhouses: one 10,000 square feet and the other 4,400 square feet. Landscaping will be planted along the road during the first phase of construction, and the facility will have a driveway and be away from the street, according to the plans from CLA Engineers.
Nautilus intends to use the site for outdoor and greenhouse growing, and manufacturing cannabis products including pre-rolls, flower, and vape cartridges. The products will go to Nautilus’ dispensaries or be sold wholesale to other dispensaries. Up to 25 people will work there when completed, Vice President Connie DeBoever said.
Legislative change makes it possible
Norwich aims to be a good business partner for the cannabis industry. Now that the state allows outdoor growing facilities, which includes ones using greenhouses, it’s a way to attract more businesses to the city, Norwich Community Development Corporation Kevin Brown said.
“We have to prove our mettle with this first operator to go through this review, to demonstrate that we are supportive of this kind of operation,” he said.
However, cultivators are still interested in starting indoor growing operations, including in Norwich, Brown said.
Norwich has been welcoming to Nautilus, and the company is interested in forming partnerships with organizations “as a good corporate citizen,” DeBoever said.
More:Norwich’s first cannabis dispensary opens, bringing jobs and tax revenue
Norwich has approached the cannabis industry with responsibility in mind, and continued growth in the industry gives the city more tax and utility revenue, and provides more jobs. Specifically, the Zen Leaf Dispensary location on West Main Street has been holding up their end of social equity contributions, while the tax revenues to the city are more than expected, Brown said.
“All the licensees are looking to Norwich as a place where they can come grow their operations and provide jobs,” he said. “I’m very optimistic about where we are.”
Commission on the City Plan Chair Frank Manfredi declined to comment.
