Rocky Hill, CT - Family focused with a corporate presence accommodating growth - by Raymond Carpentino

Rocky Hill is a suburban community of 21,000 residents located in central Connecticut two hours from both Boston and New York City. Access is provided directly from I-91, while Bradley International Airport is a twenty minute drive. Our location within Connecticut and within New England, places Rocky Hill businesses within 500 miles to 1/3 of the U.S. economy and 2/3 of the Canadian economy.  

Rocky Hill is home to 1,300 business establishments employing over 17,400 people. Our substantial employment base consists of diverse industries and service establishments such as Henkel North America, Arburg, SYSCO, URS Corporation, Burris Refrigerated Logistics, AECOM, Simoniz USA, PDQ Inc., The Meredith Corporation, McKesson, Paychex, Regus, Walmart and Sheraton, among many others. All of our businesses are located within our six business parks and two commercial corridors. 

Our business footprint consists of 2.5 million s/f of industrial space, 1.8 million s/f of retail/service space and 2 million s/f of office space. A market analysis projected an additional 1.8 million s/f of new development is possible by the year 2030. It is anticipated 2017 will realize the completion of approximately 252,000 s/f of commercial construction. 

Town leaders and citizens are quietly balancing development demands. Projects like Town Center West, a 70,000 s/f mixed-use retail project with 144 apartments, the development of River’s Edge, a residential mixed-use brownfield project located along the CT River, a 55,000 s/f expansion of Simoniz USA, construction of a new Hampton Inn and Suites, the construction of a 52,000 s/f surgery center and over 39 new businesses during the last two years, are balanced with single family development, town center revitalization and passage of a $10 million bond referendum for farmland and open space preservation. 

Most of our success can be attributed to three basic factors: Our central location both in Connecticut and the Northeast region; our direct access to Exits 23 and 24 off of I-91; and our responsive government. Through prudent management, our administration has been able to retain a low tax rate attractive to business and focus our commitment on retaining and attracting business, while maintaining our exemplary education system. 

Rocky Hill is a wonderful place to grow a family and a business. From corporate office parks to vibrant neighborhoods, Rocky Hill continues to accommodate growth without sacrificing our small town atmosphere. Businesses seeking a central New England Location, with a major corporate footprint and a highly educated workforce should contact me at carpentino@rockyhillct.gov 

“Rocky Hill, CT, “Cultivating long-term economic growth by fostering a clear & business-positive environment that encourages a growing, sustainable & diverse tax base.”

Raymond Carpentino is economic development director for the Town of Rocky Hill.