Bradley International Airport, Connecticut's flagship commercial airport and New England's second largest, is a major economic driver for the State of Connecticut. An Economic Impact Analysis conducted by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development found that "Bradley is the centerpiece of the I-91 transportation corridor, and the greatest opportunity for future economic growth in the state."
The State of Connecticut, Connecticut Airport Authority, MetroHartford Alliance and Bradley Development League are working together to aggressively position Bradley as a strong economic engine. Passenger traffic is growing with the addition of new direct routes to Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta and Washington D.C., amongst others. The dated Murphy terminal will be demolished this summer to make room for a consolidated rental car facility and a future terminal when the market dictates.
Private sector development in the airport region continues to be strong thanks to access to I-91, a high quality workforce from Connecticut and Western, MA, the availability of attractively priced land and buildings and incentives through the airport development zone, and of course, the presence of Bradley International Airport.
New Route Development - Improvements to Bradley's route offerings have helped drive an upswing in passenger traffic. These advances include American Airlines' daily nonstop flight to Los Angeles, JetBlue Airways' Fort Myers and Tampa daily nonstop service, and Southwest Airlines, through its wholly-owned subsidiary AirTran Airways, three daily nonstop flights to Atlanta. Numerous customer service enhancements, such as the establishment of a Frequent Parker program, expanded concession offerings, and improvements to passenger processing wait times have also made Bradley a highly attractive option to Northeastern travelers.
"The Connecticut Airport Authority takes great pride in achieving this milestone of revitalization. One of our greatest selling points to our customers, in addition to our convenient terminal and on-airport parking facilities, is Bradley's tremendous accessibility from anywhere in the Northeast," said Kevin Dillon, A.A.E., executive director of the CAA. "We believe that the best is yet to come. We are excited about working with all of our stakeholders as we continue to aggressively seek additional daily nonstop destinations for our customers from one of the region's most convenient gateways."
Bradley Airport Development Zone - The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) recently approved the application and issued a certificate of eligibility for Multi-Mode Logistics, LLC, which is the fifth business to be included in the Bradley Airport Development Zone (BADZ). The Zone provides tax incentives to companies that expand and support economic growth around the Airport.
Multi-Mode Logistics, LLC has operated in the Windsor Locks area for approximately 14 years. The company handles air freight, ocean, truck, rail and customs bonded shipments and has expanded its operation steadily over the past decade. They have purchased a building in Windsor Locks which meets the BADZ idleness criteria.
"We are excited to continue to expand our business footprint near Bradley International Airport with our recent property purchase at 495 North Street in Windsor Locks," said John Kumpa, president/owner of Multi-Mode Logistics, LLC. "It has been a pleasure to work with the state of Connecticut, namely the Connecticut Airport Authority and the Department of Economic and Community Development, in order to be accepted into the Bradley Airport Development Zone."
"The Connecticut Airport Authority is pleased to add Multi-Mode Logistics, LLC to the growing list of businesses that have been accepted in the Bradley Airport Development Zone since its creation in 2011," said Mary Ellen Jones, CAA chair. "This latest addition to the BADZ continues the ongoing development of the local economy in the areas surrounding the Airport."
"The CAA has worked cooperatively with the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Bradley Development League, Metro Hartford Alliance and local municipal leaders to develop the policies and procedures for the BADZ, said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the CAA. "The Development Zone continues to pay dividends as Multi-Mode Logistics, LLC joins Nufern, Merchandising Partners LLC, International Transfer Service Inc., and Metal Finish Equipment and Supply Co. in taking advantage of the tax incentives as well as advancing economic development and job growth in the region."
The Bradley Airport Development Zone extends tax incentives to airport related business firms which utilize Bradley for distribution, manufacturing and other specified businesses that develop or acquire property in the zone and foster job growth. A business qualifies for tax incentives associated with the program if it acquires an idle facility or constructs, substantially renovates or expands one and uses the facility for specified uses. Eligible uses include manufacturing, as well as research and development related to manufacturing and work to significantly service, overhaul, or rebuild machinery and equipment for industrial uses. Incentives are offered to eligible businesses located in East Granby, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Suffield.
Patrick McMahon is the development officer for the Bradley Development League, Windsor Locks, Conn.