At its May meeting the south central Connecticut CID featured Branford's first selectman and the chairman of the town's economic development commission speaking to more than 50 of the area's top commercial brokers and Realtors. Highlighting the town's assets and strengths, they spoke to how well the town meets the needs of growing industries, particularly bioscience and high tech manufacturing. Evidently the town's message was well received, as they have been invited back to present again to the September meeting
Their message is clear - the town extends a standing offer to work with start-ups and expanding manufacturers, biotechs, technology companies, and others to help find the right site and to get up and running as quickly as possible. Branford is committed to making an extra effort for the emerging industries of bioscience, information technology, and photonics.
And that offer is a proven commodity, evidenced by the opening earlier this year of Durata Therapeutics and biotech Ancera, and the more recent arrival of Celldex Therapeutics, Investment One Equity Brokers, and Research & Design Innovations, as well as in the construction of a new 12,000 s/f commercial building, phase one of a two phase development on East Industrial Rd. near exit 56.
A priority highlighted at the brokers meeting is the town's ongoing commitment to its infrastructure. Progress continues with the new Amtrak Bridge over Rte. 1 and is expected to be finished this fall, six months ahead of schedule; the town has worked closely with DOT to avoid disruptions to local businesses and completion of this project will allow for commercial expansion and a realignment of the exit's I-95 connector.
Across town work is underway to improve the intersection of Rte. 139 and School Ground Rd. When that is completed the School Ground Rd. bridge will be replaced, followed by the replacement of the Rte. 139 bridge and related road improvements. School Ground Rd. and Rte. 139 are important feeder roads to Rte. 1 and I-95 exit 56 on the east end of town and will have a positive impact on development opportunities in that area.
Near the center of town, work is scheduled to begin later this year at the Branford train station for a new drop off platform on the north side of the tracks. Meanwhile, the town center continues to thrive. New additions to Branford's collection of fine restaurants and shops include Edwin Taylor Antiques, an expansion and new location for Lucy's Tailoring, opening of Foe's Food & Catering, and the soon-to-open artisan bakery Whole G Breads.
All of these companies and businesses recognize Branford's assets - an ideal location, low taxes, full municipal services, highly skilled workforce, and convenient transportation. Add to that both our proximity to Yale and the region's university cluster and town hall's "business friendly" character. Branford's economic development office and its land use officials are ready to help entrepreneurs, start-ups, new arrivals, and expanding enterprises to find the right property as well as identify available resources to help with their growth and development.
With an enviable Long Island Sound location just ten miles east of New Haven and only minutes from I-91, Branford boasts four exits from I-95 onto Rte. 1 and is only 45 miles south of Hartford and Bradley International Airport, an hour from Providence on I-95 and only two hours from the heart of New England - Boston. Clearly, Branford's is a sound location.
Branford serves as both a gateway to New England and a portal to New York, and is an integral part in a regional economy [www.rexdevelopment.org] that hosts six major universities, an extensive rail system with Shore Line East, MetroNorth and Amtrak, convenient flights from Tweed New Haven Airport [www.flytweed.com] and international service out of Bradley Airport.
Located on the Long Island Sound with more than 20 miles of shoreline, Branford combines low taxes and a triple-A bond rating with a quality of life and sense of community second to none, a "business friendly" environment in town hall. The result is a healthy business climate and a diverse local economy ranging from bioscience and manufacturing to healthcare and boutique retail.
You're invited to take us up on our offer to find in Branford what every company seeks: some of the lowest tax rates along the I-95 corridor, full municipal services (water, sewer, as well as full time fire and police), a skilled workforce, and convenient transit.
Terence Elton is special projects manager for the Town of Branford, Conn. and serves on the board of directors for CEDAS, the CT Economic Development Association.