Page 29 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 46 Winter 2024

FROM THE DESK OF JOE and many other manufacturers in
Presenting the town together make Wallingford one
of the leading export economies in
Town to the Connecticut. This adds strength and
vitality to the economy here, and

Outside World knowing that so many companies
located here compete worldwide is a
Your big selling point to other companies
wanting to do the same.
Economic Quality of life: You have no doubt
Development read recently that in one survey,
Commission Wallingford ranks as the fourth safest
and its staff town our size in the entire nation. We
are charged are also home to three nationally-
with present- ranked medical facilities, a world-
ing the Town class secondary school in Choate
of Wallingford Rosemary Hall, two limited–access
to businesses highways, commuter rail service,
all over the reasonable taxes, some of the lowest
country – and electric rates in New England, 1,500
JOE MIRRA beyond, for that acres of industrial parks, a vibrant
EDC Chair matter. In order town center, a strong nonprofit sec-
to prepare an image of the town in tor, an active and community-minded
which we all live, we provide informa- business community, cultural attrac-
tion that these potential “business tions such as the Shubert Theater
neighbors” need to make a decision. and the Peabody Museum only
We thought it would be interesting to minutes away, two regional airports
Wallingford residents to get a glimpse within an hour’s drive, and nine col-
of how Wallingford presents itself to leges or universities within twenty
the outside world – to look at your miles.
town from the point of view of a firm Many other components are tak-
deciding where to locate a facility. en into account when companies are
Here are but three of many qualities searching for a location, but quality of
they think are important: location, the life is becoming one of the most im-
dollar amount of products exported portant of late. For several years now,
from Wallingford and, most important more jobs are available than qualified
of all, quality of life. people to fill them, stimulating the
Location: Obviously, our be- competition for the most talented
ing between two of America’s most and reliable. Furthermore, younger
important cities is a draw. But there’s employees especially and looking for
much more. One-third of the U.S. a better work/life balance than those
population lives within a 500-mile in previous generations. Connecticut
radius, as well as almost two-thirds is a high-cost state, but within it is
of the population of Canada (and Wallingford offers a safe, small-town
80 percent of their manufacturers). environment that is a wonderful
Even within the State of Connecticut, place to raise a family while still be-
Wallingford’s central location enables ing within a short distance of sophis-
companies to draw employees from ticated urban amenities.
all the urban areas of the state, and, Despite Wallingford’s advantag-
conversely, gives Wallingford resi- es, it still requires tenacity, patience
dents employment opportunities in and hard work to bring businesses
all of those areas as well. to our town. The northeastern United
Export economy: In the past States is a high-cost, highly regu-
30 years, the economy has become lated business environment. For that
global in nature, and companies have reason, we will continue to use new
had to become so as well. In this very technology-based avenues to expand
issue of Wallingford Magazine, you our reach. More on that in future is-
will read about Ulbrich Steel. They sues. In the meantime, stay tuned!
Wallingford Magazine – Winter 2024 WallingfordMagazine.com
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