Deborah Cox
New zoning regulations, which were approved in July, paved the way for greater flexibility in heights, setback requirements and permitted uses in the commercial areas. The new regulations provided a base for approval of some new developments in town which are expected to break ground sometime this year.
A Hyatt Extended-Stay Hotel received the first approval under the new regulations and it will be built in the Trumbull Corporate Park. The hotel will be a welcomed addition to the park which is also occupied by a number of national and international corporations, including Unilever, Gen Re, ITT Flygt, and Pilot Pen.
Sentinel Data Centers received approval to add a 120,000 s/f building that will primarily be used for data center operations. When completed, the building will reside next to their existing facility in the Trumbull Corporate Park.
CooperSurgical received approval to build their third building in Trumbull. The new facility will house their corporate headquarters. Construction is currently underway and is expected to be completed by summer.
Millions of dollars were invested in revitalization projects. For example, Trumbull Marriott completely remodeled the hotel from top to bottom. Anything a guest touches or sees was replaced and upgraded in 2008. Newtown Savings moved to a completely remodeled and refaced building in Trumbull Center. Simultaneously, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development awarded the town with a grant for streetscape improvements in Trumbull Center. Implementation of new sidewalks in the center is expected in the spring.
Trumbull welcomed dozens of businesses to town, including such companies as M Cubed, SFA Marketing, Santa's Best, Super Coups and Newnet. AFLAC established its Connecticut headquarters in Trumbull. A number of medical practices moved into town, such as Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Cardiology Associates of Fairfield County, and Fairfield County Integrative Medicine.
In 2009, Trumbull's themes are "Welcome, Service, and Value." We place much value on businesses that are located in Trumbull, and we look to be of service in fostering their success. There is no doubt that times are challenging for all organizations, and we want to support new and existing businesses anyway we can.
With new leases currently in negotiation, land on Reservoir Ave. designated for purchase and development, and Home Depot expecting to open this October, we're looking forward to welcoming new businesses to town. We are also focused on fostering a welcoming and conducive business environment for existing businesses, so we are planning activities, events, and communications to strengthen our businesses' networks.
Service is a key this year as well. The town's permitting and application processes have been clarified and streamlined, resources have been identified, and Trumbull's Economic Development is keeping watch to facilitate or coordinate where needed.
We're striving to add value to our business community by helping companies make money as well as save money, time and resources. The Economic Development Office is available to help identify locations; financing, employment or training resources; business set-up information; or make useful connections. In addition, the "Business" section of the town's website, www.trumbull-ct.gov, provides links to available properties as well as useful resources that address local business needs. To this end, Economic Development has partnered with the Trumbull Library to establish a Business and Career Resource Center that offers business materials, access to online research, marketing data, company lists, and workshops.
Trumbull is the home of some well recognized national companies, such as: Unilever, United Healthcare, Oce Imagistics, Affinion Group, CooperSurgical, Gardner Denver Nash, Gartner, ITT Flygt, Gen Re, Pilot Pen, Marriott, Sikorsky Helicopter Support, and Westfield.
The town consistently proves to be an excellent location for businesses. Commercially developed areas are primarily found adjacent to major highways near the exterior borders of town, making it particularly convenient for commuters, business travelers, and customers. Trumbull's infrastructure is sophisticated and well suited to support the needs of all types of business, and Trumbull is particularly noted for its high quality of life standards.
As noted by Connecticut Magazine and Money Magazine, Trumbull is a great place to live, work, and grow a business, and vacancies and development opportunities are available.
Deborah Evans Cox is director, economic development for the Town of Trumbull.