The town of Bethany is located north of New Haven and is easily accessed from the north or south by Rtes. 63 and 69 and from east or west by Rte. 42. According to the 2010 census, the population is just under 6,000 people. While eager to maintain its rural character, it has much to offer to a prospective business looking to establish or expand. It is an educated, multicultural population whose median age is 38, with 56% of the adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Bethany is part of an excellent regional education authority at the middle and secondary school levels and takes great pride in the quality of education provided at the Bethany Community School for grades K through 6. Our local businesses include a small but distinguished number of advanced preschool and nursery school options for working families.
There is a vast horse community that grew from its roots over 100 years before incorporation in 1832 and today, actively sponsors horse shows, competitions and exhibitions at various times during the year. On any given Sunday, the number of pickup trucks pulling horse trailers can be seen traversing on local and state roads to attend equestrian events all over the east coast. Local equestrians in the past and present are nationally renowned for their horsemanship.
Compared to many agricultural communities, Bethany's farms, a number of which have been active since the 1700s, are supported by residents and visitors at the Farmer's Market that runs every Saturday from June through October at the old airport property on Rte. 63. There you can find fresh picked corn, tomatoes and all the summer vegetables and herbs and pumpkins and winter squash in the fall. There is also a good supply of fresh eggs and flowers. If you are interested in a hayride, there's no doubt you'll find one ready to go.
Bethany is proud of our very active Lion's Club which sponsors a number of community activities and fundraisers throughout the year. The Bethany Athletic Association and the Park and Recreation Department work together to sponsor youth baseball, football and soccer and provide a safe environment for the town's children. Park and Recreation also provides numerous after school and community fitness programs promoting the importance of physical activity to children and adults.
Perhaps one of Bethany's best kept secrets is the community of local artists, sculptors, writers, and photographers who often use the town's serene and natural beauty as a backdrop for their work. There are also local musicians with diverse offerings from classical concerts to square dancing. In fact, you can find a local contra mixer once a month where folks from all over the northeast meet to share a cup of coffee and their love of traditional music and dance. The music is provided by a spontaneous group of fiddlers, drummers, penny whistlers and anyone else who wants to join the jam session. The Contra Dance caller is a Bethany resident who has been guiding dancers for over 30 years and performed his art of calling to audiences all over the country.
Is there any doubt why residents of Bethany are so proud of their community?


Fran Doba is chairman of Bethany Economic Development Commission, Bethany, Conn.