HBJ | 2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS
12 |
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM
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MAJOR MARKETS | TOP 10
MAJOR MARKETS: 15,000 OR MORE JOBS (37 TOWNS)
#7 GROTON
#8 BR ANFORD
80.1
78.1
78.8
79.8
83.3
74.2
OVERALL
SCORE
OVERALL
SCORE
MARKET
STRENGTH
MARKET
STRENGTH
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
TRANSACTION
COST &
PROCESS
WHY IT RANKED HERE: A major employment base,
relatively low property taxes and favorable development
conditions make Groton a standout commercial market
in southeastern Connecticut.
WHY IT RANKED HERE: Strong business growth and
relatively favorable conditions for development help
Branford compete with many larger Connecticut
municipalities.
SIGNATURE STAT: 32,684 jobs — A major employment
center in southeastern Connecticut.
SIGNATURE STAT: +18.3% — The strongest
business-registration growth in the top 10.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
MARKET SNAPSHOT
Jobs
Jobs
32,684
17,003
Business establishments
Business establishments
3,177
3,941
Commercial tax base
Commercial tax base
23%
17%
Population within 45 minutes
Population within 45 minutes
421,375
1.26 million
5-year avg mill rate
5-year avg mill rate
23.46
28.13
Business registration growth (2021–25)
Business registration growth (2021–25)
+2.8%
+18.3%
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
OUT OF 100
MARKET SNAPSHOTS
Connecticut's Highest
Mill Rates
MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE HIGHEST
AVERAGE REAL-PROPERTY MILL
RATES OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD
THROUGH 2026
RANK MUNICIPALITY
1 HARTFORD 70.02
2 HAMDEN 54.36
3 WATERBURY 53.81
4 TORRINGTON 45.54
5 EAST HARTFORD 44.56
6 NAUGATUCK 44.37
7 BRIDGEPORT 43.45
8 NEW BRITAIN 43.21
9 WEST HARTFORD 42.23
10 WOODBRIDGE 42.11
Source: Connecticut Commercial Opportunity Index
5-YR. AVG.
MILL RATE
