Branford believes in tending to the basics: infrastructure needs, effective management of town finances, low taxes with full service, and working with our business community.
The town is ready 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.
The results of that effort are seen in the arrival this year of Durata Therapeutics and biotech Ancera, as well as Celldex Therapeutics, Investment One Equity Brokers, and Research & Design Innovations, along with new commercial construction activity off Exit 56.
Branford recognizes that infrastructure is a priority for every business and is vigilant in keeping our award winning water treatment plant in top shape, maintaining the town's roads and walkways, and working closely with federal and state agencies to identify and fund new projects and upgrades to keep Branford an ideal business locale.
This can be seen in the newly completed Amtrak Bridge over Rte. 1 at Exit 53. Finished nearly six months ahead of schedule, the higher bridge clearance and additional lanes will allow for increased and safe passage of approximately 30,000 private and commercial vehicles going through the intersection each day. This project also makes the time ripe for increased commercial and retail expansion with a realignment of the "Branford connector" at I-95's Exit 53.
Meanwhile, a critical intersection improvement project nears completion at the juncture of Rte. 139 (North Branford Rd.) and School Ground Road. At the same time, design plans are being finalized for a new School Ground Road bridge over the Branford River. That project will be followed by the replacement of the Rte. 139 bridge and related road improvements.
Combined, these distinct projects will result in marked improvements to the various Rte. 1 and I-95 feeder roads on the east end of town and will have a positive impact on development opportunities in that area, particularly for manufacturing and biotech.
Across town, work is well underway at the Branford train station for a new drop off platform on the north side of the tracks, enhancing our rail service to New Haven businesses or to continue to New York via Metro North or Boston on the Acela, completing avoiding having to get behind the wheel.
The nearby town center continues to be a destination for antiquing and shopping its unique boutiques, as well as being at the top of the list for foodies. European style bakery G-Café opened in late summer and instantly developed a devoted following for its artisan breads, pastries and cakes; Le Petite Café remains an epicurean favorite with its Zagat designation as one of the top restaurants in the country, and G-Zen Restaurant recently won The Nature's Conservancy's "Nature's Plate Award" as the best organic farm-to-table restaurant in Connecticut.
With an enviable Long Island Sound location, Branford serves as both a gateway to New England and a portal to New York. 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 along I-95 and only two hours from the heart of New England - Boston. Clearly, Branford's is a Sound location.
Our businesses are an integral part of a regional economy (www.rexdevelopment.org) that draws on six major universities in the area for a highly skilled workforce, has an extensive rail system with Shore Line East, MetroNorth and Amtrak as well as convenient domestic flights from neighboring Tweed New Haven Airport (www.flytweed.com) and international service out of Bradley Airport.
Branford's low taxes, a triple-A bond rating, an enviable quality of life and Town Hall's "business friendly" environment come together to form a healthy business climate and a diverse local economy ranging from bioscience and manufacturing to healthcare and boutique retail. To learn more about Branford and for assistance in finding a site that meets your needs, go to www.branford-ct.gov, e-mail us at [email protected].
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.