Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1547355
HBJ | 2026 BEST PLACES FOR BUSINESS 22 | HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM #3 NORTH BRANFORD #4 SUFFIELD 56.7 55.7 57.2 53.4 55.5 61 OVERALL SCORE OVERALL SCORE MARKET STRENGTH MARKET STRENGTH TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS WHY IT RANKED HERE: Proximity to New Haven, a solid employment base and strong recent business growth bolster North Branford's commercial market. WHY IT RANKED HERE: Suffield benefits from proximity to Bradley International Airport and the Hartford-Springfield region, along with relatively favorable conditions for commercial development. SIGNATURE STAT: +16% growth — Business registrations grew 16% from 2021 to 2025. SIGNATURE STAT: 1.38 million people — More than 1.38 million people live within a 45-minute drive. MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET SNAPSHOT Jobs Jobs 4,907 3,506 Business establishments Business establishments 1,262 1,199 Commercial tax base Commercial tax base 13% 10% Population within 45 minutes Population within 45 minutes 1.27 million 1.38 million 5-year avg mill rate 5-year avg mill rate 32.89 26.38 Business registration growth (2021–25) Business registration growth (2021–25) +15.8% +2.7% OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 SMALL MARKETS | TOP 10 SMALL MARKETS: UNDER 5,000 JOBS (90 TOWNS). #5 DERBY #6 EAST GR ANBY 53.4 53.1 59.2 56.2 39.9 45.9 OVERALL SCORE OVERALL SCORE MARKET STRENGTH MARKET STRENGTH TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS TRANSACTION COST & PROCESS WHY IT RANKED HERE: Despite its small geographic footprint, Derby benefits from a dense commercial core, transit access and proximity to larger New Haven County markets. WHY IT RANKED HERE: East Granby has a substantial commercial presence, proximity to Bradley International Airport and strong recent business growth. SIGNATURE STAT: 16.4% growth — Business registrations grew 16.4% from 2021 to 2025. SIGNATURE STAT: 24% growth — Business registrations grew 24% from 2021 to 2025. MARKET SNAPSHOT MARKET SNAPSHOT Jobs Jobs 4,934 4,391 Business establishments Business establishments 939 480 Commercial tax base Commercial tax base 12% 18% Population within 45 minutes Population within 45 minutes 2.03 million 1.56 million 5-year avg mill rate 5-year avg mill rate 40.44 32.86 Business registration growth (2021–25) Business registration growth (2021–25) +16.4% +24.3% OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100 OUT OF 100