Marina at American Wharf boycott: restaurant bar takes from the community funds!

Children Lose Funding While Business Profits: The Truth About Marina at the Wharf

Norwich residents, take a hard look at what’s happening in your town. A business at the Marina at the Wharf has taken public funds—money meant for children’s programs, summer camp scholarships, healthcare, police, and the library—to elevate itself at the expense of the community.

Where Did the Money Go?

Norwich has an operating budget of $300 million, with about $150 million allocated to schools. But the remaining funds, along with federal aid from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), were supposed to help the town recover from COVID—funding essential services like youth programs, emergency services, and public health.

Instead, Marina at the Wharf received a reallocation of these funds. The result? Children’s summer camp programs were cut, Parks & Rec funding disappeared, and community services were left scrambling to make up the difference.

Businesses Should Support the Town, Not Take from It

A thriving business should contribute to a community, not take from it. Yet, when concerned citizens criticized this misuse of funds, defenders of the marina dismissed the concerns outright.

A few responses highlight this indifference:

"So you would rather the marina stay empty and in shambles instead of bringing revenue and taxes to the town?"
"How do you plan to boycott a marina that pulls no funds from you without a boat?"

Here’s the reality: This isn’t about opposing business. It’s about opposing businesses that take public funds away from our children.

Who Pays the Price? The Kids.

With funding diverted to the Marina, here’s what happened:

🚫 Parks & Rec lost funding for youth programs.
🚫 Fewer summer camp scholarships were available for local kids.
🚫 Essential community services like the police, library, and healthcare took a financial hit.

Meanwhile, the business moves in, benefits from public funds, and tells the community to just accept it.

A Bad Business Move That Won't Be Forgotten

It’s important to note that while "These Guys Brewing" may not have directly taken federal funds, they chose to move into a space that did—a space that exists at the expense of Norwich’s children and essential services.

The ethical failure here is undeniable. A business that willingly operates from a location funded by money taken from summer camp scholarships, healthcare, and emergency services is making a bad business move.

Norwich residents have long upheld a standard of righteousness and community-first values. Supporting a business that prioritizes profits over people sets a dangerous precedent.

Boycott the Marina at the Wharf

A formal complaint was filed in December 2024 regarding the misuse of ARP funds. The public deserves answers, and the town’s leadership needs to be held accountable for allowing this to happen.

For those who don’t see the problem—enjoy your meal, enjoy your drinks at a business built on the backs of our children, emergency responders, and community programs. The rest of us will continue to fight for what’s right.

Final Thought: Ethics Over Profits

Laws might allow it. Policies might excuse it. But morality matters. A business that doesn’t respect the community it operates in has no place in Norwich.

Support businesses that support the town. Boycott those that take from it.

Boycott Marina At The Wharf And Restaurant Incites Insults On Facebook Page (Shocker!) Wharf Took ARP Funds From Townspeople Services