Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1547355
2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS | HBJ HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | 19 #3 CHESHIRE #4 WINDSOR LOCKS 69.9 69.2 75.6 74.1 56.4 57.9 OVERALL SCORE OVERALL SCORE MARKET STRENGTH MARKET STRENGTH TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS WHY IT RANKED HERE: A sizable concentration of jobs, combined with a central location between Hartford and New Haven, strengthens Cheshire's commercial market. WHY IT RANKED HERE: Home to Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks combines a high concentration of commercial property with strong regional transportation access. SIGNATURE STAT: 13,778 jobs — One of the largest employment bases in the Mid-Market tier. SIGNATURE STAT: 31% commercial — Commercial and industrial property accounts for 31% of Windsor Locks' tax base, among the highest shares in Connecticut. MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET SNAPSHOT Jobs Jobs 13,778 6,738 Business establishments Business establishments 3,040 890 Commercial tax base Commercial tax base 19% 31% Population within 45 minutes Population within 45 minutes 2.11 million 1.61 million 5-year avg mill rate 5-year avg mill rate 32.07 26.02 Business registration growth (2021–25) Business registration growth (2021–25) +12.2% +5% OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 MID-MARKETS | TOP 10 MID-MARKETS: 5,000–14,999 JOBS (42 TOWNS). #5 BERLIN #6 SOUTH WINDSOR 69.2 69.1 77.5 76.6 49.8 51.5 OVERALL SCORE OVERALL SCORE MARKET STRENGTH MARKET STRENGTH TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS WHY IT RANKED HERE: A central Connecticut location and sizable employment base are complemented by some of the strongest recent business growth among the state's midsize communities. WHY IT RANKED HERE: A sizable employment and business base, combined with strong access to the Hartford region and major transportation routes, bolster South Windsor's commercial market. SIGNATURE STAT: 23% growth — Business registrations grew 23% from 2021 to 2025. SIGNATURE STAT: 13,397 jobs — One of the largest employment bases in the Mid-Market tier. MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET SNAPSHOT Jobs Jobs 11,695 13,397 Business establishments Business establishments 2,302 2,612 Commercial tax base Commercial tax base 17% 18% Population within 45 minutes Population within 45 minutes 2.11 million 1.54 million 5-year avg mill rate 5-year avg mill rate 31.73 35.97 Business registration growth (2021–25) Business registration growth (2021–25) +23.3% +16.5% OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100