Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1170674
12 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2019 adjacent to I-95 into upscale apartments, retail space, and a new 70,000-square-foot charter school. "The first building, Cherry Street Lofts, has 140 units that have all been basically spoken for, many of which people were buying sight unseen." Meanwhile, Manhattan-based Time Equities Inc. (TEI) has purchased more than $43 million in city properties since last November and is "really looking forward to continuing this streak in Bridgeport," according to TEI acquisitions director Brian Soto. For members of the BRBC, all of that is heady news. "I think we're starting to see Bridgeport becoming the next Stamford of Connecticut, and not necessarily just corporate growth, but this mix of live, work and play." The next challenge is to get the word out, and BRBC wants to take an active role in that. "Bridgeport has a lot to offer – Ralph 'n' Rich's, The Stress Factory [comedy club], The Bijou Theater. On 'Downtown Thursdays,' thousands of people come to listen to live music on our community green, and not just people who already live here," Onofrio said. Given Live Nation's involvement in the amphitheater project, "we're expecting a lot of big shows. We have a seaside park and miles and miles of beautiful beaches, and the art community here is incredible. If we can bridge all of that together, and make it known, it will make Bridgeport a place where people want to come and spend time. It's up to BRBC to help elevate all the opportunities here from a branding and messaging standpoint." As the region's chamber, of course, BRBC is also working to support and expand the business community. "Building a thriving business community will result in a thriving community, period," he said, adding that a mix of the city's accessible transportation network, its new market rate and affordable housing, a strong business sector, and plenty of things to do and see "creates that thriving eco-community. We're at the cusp of it. There's this excitement that something is happening; you can feel it as you walk around downtown. I would invite everyone to come and experience Bridgeport. It's a wonderful city. Unfortunately, it's been overlooked over the years. We want to help change that." Capitalizing on Hartford Hartford finds itself in much the same position, with a lot to offer to both residents and visitors but tasked with publicizing all that it has to offer. Late last year, the MetroHartford Alliance, which serves as the regional chamber, spun out the Hartford Chamber of Commerce (HCC), a name that hadn't been used for nearly two decades. The move gives HCC increased autonomy in dealing with issues of specific interest to city businesses, while the Alliance will retain its focus on serving as an economic development agency and step up efforts to recruit new business to the region. Julio Concepción, HCC's new executive director, said the organization has three immediate missions. The first is to actively solicit the business community's ideas about what Hartford and the chamber should look like, and how HCC can best serve them. Since taking the helm, Concepción has gone on a listening tour, meeting with a lot of small business and property owners, local merchants' associations, members of the arts and entertainment community, "and pretty much anyone who was willing to sit down and talk to us. There have been a lot of common themes that have come out of it. I think the most pertinent and obvious one is having Bridgeport has seen a boost in its housing stock, including the new 140-unit Cherry Street Lofts. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: URBAN DEVELOPMENT