Jeremy Shingleton
The town of Cromwell is filled with vast history and a charming New England culture. The first settlers arrived in 1650. At the time, the community was known as the Upper Houses section of Middletown. For 200 years, it remained a part of Middletown, before incorporating as a separate municipality in 1851.
Over the years, Cromwell has undergone tremendous growth and progress. In 1984, Cromwell became a regular stop on the PGA Tour. The championship-caliber Tournament Players Club of Connecticut, one of the finest golf courses in the United States, recently became the host of the Travelers' Championship. This year, the tournament is being held June 22-28. Some of the top golfers in the world have already signed-on to compete in what is the biggest professional sporting event in the state of Connecticut.
Over the past three years, Cromwell has experienced more job growth than any other town or city in Middlesex County. With a new business park on Corporate Row, noteworthy industrial developments along Sebethe Dr., and a new state of the art high tech business park being developed in the Northern Tier, significant growth of professional and skilled jobs should continue over the next decade.
The retail sector thrives in Cromwell. The Rte 372 corridor, with its convenient access to highways, is one of the most successful stretches of retail businesses in Connecticut. This area is the primary destination for consumers in Cromwell and most surrounding communities. This area also houses the Crowne Plaza, with banquet facilities and a convention center that flourish as the host of major events from organizations located throughout Connecticut and surrounding states.
The town owns 30 acres of land along the Connecticut River. Construction is nearly complete on a beautiful riverfront park. The new park will be an integral part of our town identity, an amenity unique to Cromwell. With access to the Connecticut River (and, ultimately Long Island Sound) for boating and fishing, recreational trails with scenic views, a large pavilion and picnic area, and a stage for summer concerts, the park is generating a lot of interest throughout Connecticut.
To further grow our commercial tax base and enhance our cultural identity as a charming riverport community, we are investing in our historic downtown, utilizing a combination of state and local funds. Construction is underway on extensive streetscape work which includes brick pavers, granite curbing, trees, historic street lamps, benches, and improved parking. As a result of our revitalization project, we expect to attract major anchor businesses, including upscale restaurants and cultural establishments. This summer, you can enjoy outdoor dining and many exciting community events in our historic downtown village.
Last fall, the elementary, middle, and high schools were upgraded with the best possible security features. The schools will feature full electronic surveillance coverage and 100% lockdown. With the finest technology, these schools are among the safest schools in the entire state of Connecticut. Our standardized test scores continue to improve, as well, placing us at the top of the list for our peer group. Continuing its success, in December, our boys' high school football team won the state championship. In March, our boys' basketball team also won the state championship. Overall, our schools are a wonderful place for the children of Cromwell to learn and develop.
With great schools, a strong local economy, and many wonderful new amenities, it is no wonder that Cromwell has been rated one of the best towns to raise a family.