Branford growth, expansions and plans: Includes biotech, advanced manufacturing and healthcare - by Terence Elton

Terence Elton, Town of Branford

The past few months have seen a string of activity in Branford. In October, American Polyfilm, Inc.(APi) held its ribbon cutting and official opening and began in earnest operating in its new 30,000 s/f state-of-the-art facility.  As one of the country’s largest polyfilm manufacturers, APi is well aware of the importance of the market accessibility that Branford offers along the I-95 corridor, and, as an exporter, the ease it can get product to the NY-NJ ports for shipment abroad as well as cross country by rail and truck. 

Likewise, Defibtech also hosted an October ribbon cutting and plans to complete the transition of all its manufacturing operation to its new Branford site by the end of the year.  Another manufacturer with increased exports, Defibtech is another growing manufacturing that sees the value of a Branford location with its low taxes, a skilled workforce, and a business friendly environment. 

In the healthcare field, Artis Memory Care and Senior Living is putting the finishing touches on its new facility on East Main St.  Planning to open its 67-bed facility in early 2017, Branford expands the Artis community, joining those in Reading, Mass., Princeton, N.J., Olney, Md. and Boca Raton, Fla. As with APi and Defibtech, the Artis Corporation recognized the value of establishing its CT operation in Branford, enjoying its enviable location mid-way between Boston and New York, a skilled workforce, and the lowest taxes for a full-service town along Long Island Sound.

Saphlux, a new advanced technology R&D operation has also established itself in the industrial park near Exit 56, with plans to expand into production as well as its R&D.  Like our established biotech sector, the high-tech industry is discovering the advantages of being in Branford.  And for others, including advanced manufacturing, buildings and acreage are available. 

Midway between Boston and Manhattan, Branford serves as both a gateway to New England and as a portal to New York.  Four exits on I-95 provide direct access to the east coast corridor and to nearby I-91 to northern New England.  The town’s newly expanded commuter rail station, with parking for 500 vehicles, offers daily service to New Haven and Yale, connecting to Metro North into New York and Amtrak to Providence and Boston. 

The town intends to use the train station to its fullest as a development asset.  Planning and zoning will soon embark on an important planning study focused on transit-oriented- development. When its findings are implemented, the town will be better situated for more development such as the approved Atlantic Wharf project, with over 200 residential units and 20,000 s/f of mixed-use commercial space within all walking distance of the green with its shops and restaurants in the town center, and train station, along with views of the Branford River.

The plan will be a blueprint for using the train station to improve workforce mobility, to accommodate our increasing number of visitors, and for making the town center a sought out place to live-work-play, and will allow land use officials to identify necessary zone changes, resiliency efforts, and infrastructure improvements to attract the best development possible.   

While Branford may appear to be quintessentially New England – the town was founded in 1644 and Yale got its start here in 1701 - our business community’s reach is clearly global and firmly in the 21^st century.  We have a burgeoning community of bioscience and high tech companies and advanced manufacturers that are leaders in their fields and strong exporters. Our healthy business climate is based on having some of the lowest property tax rates along the I-95 corridor and a triple-A bond rating, along with a highly skilled and educated workforce – almost half of our adult residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

And with twenty miles of shoreline along Long Island Sound, forty miles of hiking and biking trails, a half dozen parks, two town beaches, a state boat launch, numerous marinas and yacht clubs, and a robust art & music scene, our quality of life is second to none.

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

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