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2014 | Doing Business in Connecticut 119 SPONSORED REPORT N orthwest Connecticut is a place of exceptional scenic beauty with an ideal bal- ance of open space and development, and vibrant and quaint community centers. The re- gion boasts a rich history, arts and cultural amenities, and a diversified economy. The Berkshire Mountains, the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers grace the region. As a result, the area enjoys a vibrant tourism industry based on music, arts, and recreation. From Northwestern Connecticut, you can still get to New York City or Boston within two hours. People who reside here agree it's a special place to live, work and play. This region provides excellent access to important and substantial markets. It is bordered by New York on the west and Massachusetts to the north. It is served by Interstate 84 running east and west and Route 7 and Route 8 north and south. The region's population is over 335,000 people. Northwestern Connecticut is served by a very active Workforce Investment Board and Department of Labor. These organiza- tions work with business and industry to provide customized training to meet its changing needs. The University of Con- necticut has campuses in Waterbury and Torrington. The region is also home to Post University, Naugatuck Community College and Northwestern Connecticut Commu- nity College — institutions which provide a robust pipeline of skilled talent. In total, Connecticut hosts 43 outstanding institu- tions of higher education. The combination of education, training and work ethic make area employers brim with pride when speaking about output and productivity. The region is home to many invest- ment firms, banks and service companies. Companies of note in the region include Alcoa, Altek Electronics, Wittmann-Batten- field Inc, RBC Bearings, Sterling Engineer- ing, Becton Dickenson, Dymax Corpora- tion, Fuel Cell Energy, Hubbard-Hall Inc., QScend Technologies Inc., Seitz LLC, Siemon Company, Timex Group, Waterbury Companies Inc., and Webster Financial Corp. As you can see, Northwestern Con- necticut is a destination for businesses and investors. Its proximity to markets and transportation routes make it a logical choice for business. Yet the real appeal to this region is that it offers quintessential New England living within a short ride from work. Residents who work in this part of the state live in areas that tourists visit, just to experience its natural beauty. Northwestern Connecticut Economic Development Regions in CT Altek Electronics Inc. is an example of a high tech company that enjoys Northwest Connecticut's business environment. They are celebrating 40 years in Torrington, Connecticut. Altek which manufactures printed circuit boards and higher level assemblies employs 170 and is growing. Regional Contact Information: Lynn G. Ward, President and CEO Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce 83 Bank Street, P.O. Box 1469, Waterbury, CT 06721 Phone: (203) 757-0701, ext. 310 E-Mail: lward@waterburychamber.com www.waterburychamber.com JoAnn M. Ryan, President & CEO Northwestern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce 333 Kennedy Drive, Suite R101 - P.O. Box 59 Torrington, CT 06790 Phone: (860) 482-6586 E-Mail: joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org http://nwctchamberofcommerce.org CONNECTICUT BUSINESS CLIMATE > Headquarters of 17 Fortune 500 firms are located in the state. > Connecticut's major private sector employers include manufacturers, financial services firms, educational institutions and entertainment venues. > Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas are committed to keeping industry and the state's economy moving. Check more CT facts at http://ow.ly/w094o ' Northwest Community Bank, as a mutual savings bank, maintains a mission of positively impacting the communities we serve and the Northwest CT region, with its economic growth from small businesses, residential development and arts and tourism, has been the impetus behind our success of being a leading employer in the region and a strong supporter of the community. It is a region that has a unique understanding of the value of supporting local small businesses such as ours and has also been an excellent resource for well-educated and talented individuals who we employ to successfully operate our bank each day. ' – Stephen P. Reilly, president & CEO Northwest Community Bank