Terence Elton, Town of Branford

Recent action by the town’s planning and zoning commission illustrate that businesses continue to discover Branford’s strategic location, skilled workforce, low taxes and business friendly environment.

PZC approvals include Virginia-based Artis Senior Living’s plans to construct and operate a new 60,000 s/f, 64-bed memory care facility on Rte. 1 near I-95’s Exit 56.  With approvals in place, permits are being pulled and work about to begin. 

The commission also recently approved Bausch+Ströbel’s application to build a new 59,000 s/f manufacturing facility on four acres on Rte. 139 near Exit 55 to meet the growing demand for its pharmaceutical packaging products and to serve as its North American headquarters. Back on Rte. 1 near Exit 56, American Polyfilm has finished its new 40,000 s/f state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and is now transitioning from its former location. Almost directly across Rte. 1 from Polyfilm, the Army Corps is on schedule for a January 2016 completion of its new 37,000 s/f training facility. 

And off the I-95 / Route 1 corridor, the town continues to nurture “work-live-play” development.  P&Z has approved the master plan for Atlantic Wharf, a seven acre TOD mixed-use complex.  The development is ideally located in the town center along the Branford River, a short walk in one direction to train station and in the other to the town green and its concerts, shops and restaurants on Main Street. 

Another TOD development is the hugely popular Stony Creek Brewery.  Also boasting a Branford River address close to train and bus service, it sits next to Anchor Reef’s residential units and is a short walk to Main Street and the town green.  Already one of Connecticut’s most sought-out destinations, Stony Creek Brewery has become a frequent gathering place for many of the young professionals who are part of the town’s biotech, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare industries. 

Meanwhile, more beer is flowing at Thimble Island Brewery’s newly expanded operation in the refurbished 30,000 s/f former Gravy Master building near Exit 56.     

These companies and others have discovered that, in addition to being a gateway to New England and a portal to New York, Branford:

•  Is a highly competitive full service town with low taxes and a coveted triple-A bond rating;

•  Is strategically located – less than 10 miles to New Haven and Yale University, 40 miles to Hartford, 50 miles to Stamford, 75 miles to Providence, 90 miles to Manhattan, and under 140 miles to Boston;

•  Has multiple transit outlets - direct access to I-95 and only minutes to I-91 – daily commuter rail to New Haven & Yale and to Metro North service to Stamford/NYC and Amtrak to Providence and Boston – numerous air carriers from Tweed-New Haven, Bradley [Hartford], TF Green [Providence], and LaGuardia and JFK [New York];   

•  Has a highly educated and skilled workforce with nearly half of its residents having a bachelor’s degree or more; 

•  Is minutes away from a dynamic academic cluster of world class universities led by Yale, Quinnipiac University, and the University of New Haven; 

•  Has access to world class healthcare and medical services at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Smilow Cancer Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare, and Quinnipiac’s new Netter School of Medicine; 

•  Enjoys an enviable life-style with boating, fishing, hiking & biking and birding throughout town and along the shoreline; 

•  Has endless cultural opportunities with classical, folk, pop and jazz concerts year throughout the year, and award-winning stage productions at nearby Schubert and Long Wharf Theatres and Yale Rep;    

•  And yet maintains the comfort and charm of the small New England town it is.

To discover more about Branford and for assistance in finding a site that meets your needs, visit www.branford-ct.org or email info@branford-ct.gov.

Terence Elton is special projects manager for the Town of Branford, Conn.