First Selectman Mike Freda invited attendees at a recent economic development breakfast to board an “imaginary bus” as he took them on a tour of the “success, opportunities, and challenges” seen around town in recent years.

Freda hosted the first economic development breakfast in five years on Oct. 29, welcoming town officials and business stakeholders for his presentation at the Best Western Hotel on Washington Avenue.

The introduction of businesses of various sizes was touted by the first selectman, referencing those in the areas of hospitality, photography, and rehabilitation for senior citizens. One of those businesses Freda mentioned was the popular Abate’s Pizza Restaurant, whose relocation from New Haven to North Haven following a fire that burned down its establishment in the former town was touted by Freda as a notable success.

“We now have a formal and official New Haven pizza restaurant in North Haven,” he said.

Freda also mentioned success in the food and drink industry, noting the popular Twelve Percent Beer Project on 341 State Street. The introduction of the brewery was presented as an example of the “revitalization” of the State Street area, which has also seen the introduction of an automobile restoration facility, a roofing company, and the incoming Hampton Inn and Suites.

The new hotel, expected to be completed in spring 2025, is expected to provide hospitality for business people in North Haven, including executives doing business at the MedTronics campus on Middletown Avenue.

Freda said the hotel is part of his goal to see further development on Universal Drive, which includes big names like Cinemark and Chick-fil-A.

Other successes touted by Freda included the acquisition of a structure at 60 Dodge Ave. by the multinational energy company Schneider Electric and the introduction of multiple other popular food chains, such as Five Guys and Panera Bread.

A major success touted by Freda as “an example of attracting a company from out-of-state” was the $5.1 million acquisition of a 5.6-acre parcel of land at 50 Devine Street A&M Bronx Bakery. The New York-based business plans to renovate the warehouse, which will be opened by the end of this year. Freda expects it to be a “predominant success and a wonderful addition to our business community,” he said.

Staying in the Devine Street area, Freda also addressed his continued vision for a Department of Transportation-designated “Transit-Oriented Development” project for a train station off State Street and between Devine Street and Stiles Street.

Freda said, “That train station will happen” since the state has already invested $7 million into its design, “but the construction money is not there yet, and until the state releases the money to start the construction, it’s not going to happen.”

The train station is one of several opportunities and challenges that lie in the way of greater growth in North Haven. Others include spots of developable land along Valley Service Road, such as a new industrial building at 400 Valley Service Road up to 40,000 square feet “to try to get contractors who are looking for space in North Haven,” said Freda.

Transforming vacant and dilapidated structures is a major opportunity for the town, said Freda. The first selectman mentioned the structure 102 Middletown Avenue, which will be knocked down and transformed into a 2,400-square-foot gas station with breakfast and lunch foods.

The former Donato’s Restaurant that abuts the North Haven Fairgrounds at 270 Washington Avenue has also been identified as a major opportunity for development.

“That building will be torn down within the next three weeks, and I am working with a developer out of Westport. We’ve got a very exciting concept that can go there,” said Freda.

Freda also acknowledged that he has faced failures in economic development, such as being unable to find a location for a Trader Joe’s market in North Haven. Despite some of the opportunities that have come the town’s way not being realized, the first selectman told town officials and associates that the future of development in North Haven remains bright and “melodious.”

“The songbirds of success, of economic development, will continue to whistle a melodious tune throughout the town of North Haven in the coming years,” said Freda. “For as long as I’m here, ladies and gentlemen, I will continue to deliver a relentless and implacable approach to all aspects of this job…we will continue to work with all the different agencies that we have relationships with to continue to ensure that North Haven grows, not only today but tomorrow and well into the future.”