With nearly a half million dollars in EPA remediation funds, the site of the former Atlantic Wire in Branford is undergoing a clean up that will allow a manufacturer to expand its operation into the facility and create new space available for similar expansions and start ups. And only three blocks away in the town center two new restaurants have opened, joining the broad array of fine eateries and unique boutiques that look out on the town green and occupy the heart of Branford.

This type of activity is what the CT Economic Digest recognized when it described Branford, as having "a strong economic base, low taxes, and excellent schools and municipal services. The town is rather unique among the shoreline towns east of New Haven in that it has encouraged substantial development in well-defined districts."

Enjoying four exits on I-95 and only minutes from I-91, Branford is just ten miles east of New Haven, 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. The town serves a dual role as a gateway to New England and a portal to New York.

Branford is an integral part of a regional economy [visit 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 with frequent discount fares [www.flytweed.com] and international air service out of Bradley Airport.

Current infrastructure projects to support our business community include the recent expansion of the Branford train station now accommodating 500 vehicles; construction of a new 34,000 s/f fire house centrally located on Rte. 1 near I-95; bridge replacement and widening of School Ground Rd. to improve the Rte. 1 - Rte. 139 link on the east end of town; and the Amtrak bridge replacement over Rte. 1 at Exit 53 and Rtes. 142 and 146 on the west end of town, a major stimulus project that will result in improved traffic flow and create commercial expansion opportunities.

With a healthy business climate and a diverse local economy that includes bioscience, manufacturing, healthcare, service industries, and retail ranging from unique boutiques to the leading national chains, Branford's major commercial residents include: 454 Life Sciences, an R&D powerhouse in biotech; CAS Medical, among the Connecticut Technology Council's "Top 40" fastest growing technology companies; Branford Hills Health Care Center, recipient of the American Health Care Association's "Step 1 Quality Award"; and Zane's Cycles, a national leader in retail and active lifestyles.

The past year Branford has seen a variety of new and expanding businesses: manufacturers Accurate Wire has started on a 20,000 s/f expansion; CT Orthopaedics opened a new 18,000 s/f surgical facility with three operating rooms and new medical offices; new biotechs PhytoCeuticals and GigaCyte have opened R&D facilities in the Business Park Dr. area with high tech manufacturer Pexagon joining in as a new arrival; and following major facelifts to retail giants Walmart and Kohl's, the neighboring Dress Barn plaza is now undergoing a renovation and expansion of its own at its Rte. 1 location on Branford Hill.

These businesses recognize that Branford offers what every company seeks: full municipal services (water, sewer, etc.), a skilled workforce, one of the lowest tax rates along the I-95 corridor, and convenient transit links. And the town's triple-A bond rating assures everyone that Branford is financially well-managed - quite an accomplishment in this economy.

Undoubtedly there is a site in Branford for just about any new or expanding business, especially in bioscience or high tech. And finding a site to meet your business needs is only a few clicks away at www.branford-ct.gov.

Centrally located on the Long Island Sound with more than 20 miles of shoreline, Branford has a quality of life and sense of community that is second to none. All of this combines with a "business friendly" approach that encourages new ventures and expansions.

For more about Branford, visit www.branford-ct.gov, or e-mail us at info@branford-ct.gov.