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2014 | Doing Business in Connecticut 121 SPONSORED REPORT T he beautiful Connecticut River Val- ley and coastal region is home to one of New England's most scenic rivers and the spectacular Con- necticut shoreline. From its delta at Long Island Sound, upstream through the val- ley, the Connecticut River provides mag- nificent unspoiled vistas of wooded hills and picturesque villages. Beyond its banks are historic towns, lakes and streams, high hills with rugged outcroppings, rolling farmlands, scenic country roads and cool, deep woods. The region is also home to a dynamic business community bound together by ef- fective business organizations, such as the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. The cities and towns also work together in a productive fashion to facilitate area busi- ness retention and economic growth. The Connecticut River Valley and coastal region features some of the top employers in the state and some of the best companies in New England. From top- level manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney, Jarvis Products Corporation, Zygo Corpora- tion, Whelen Engineering, Cooper Atkins Corporation, Pegasus Manufacturing Inc., Tower Laboratories, The Lee Company and many more, to outstanding corporate citi- zens such as Liberty Bank and Lyman Farm Inc., to the many micro-businesses that provide a considerable economic punch, it's all here! The region is also home to some of the top events and tourist attractions in Con- necticut, including the Durham Agricul- tural Fair and the Travelers Championship golf tournament, which both attract over 250,000 people every year. Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park in Portland and Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort in Middlefield are also proving to be true economic generators and tourist attractions. Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam continue to attract visitors and have main- tained their status as area icons. The State of Connecticut — and this region in particular — both benefit from effective workforce development and en- ergy efficiency programs. Connecticut is a national leader in educational attainment, business research and development, and concentration of scientists and engineers. So it's no surprise that Connecticut is in the top quintile of states when it comes to patents. The region's employers are committed to continuous process improve- ment, eliminating waste and having a productive workforce. Area businesses also benefit from the pipeline of talent coming out of top educational institutions such as Wesleyan University and Middlesex Com- munity College. Health care is also a critically im- portant field here. Middlesex Hospital continues to be a major employer and economic generator, and a leader in the delivery of emergency and preventative care. The new Shoreline Medical Center in Westbrook complements its primary facil- ity, in Middletown. Middlesex County Chamber of Com- merce President Larry McHugh noted, "It is a privilege to work with the business community in Middlesex County and the surrounding areas on a daily basis. Togeth- er, with our member towns and member businesses, we strive to create an atmo- sphere that fosters both economic and community development. The Connecticut River Valley and coastal region is indeed a great place to live, work and play." Chris DiPentima, President of Pegasus Manufacturing Inc., chose to relocate his two Connecticut businesses into a single location in Middletown because this area offers a central location with easy access to major highways. This was important to Pegasus since its workforce commutes from all over the state, eastern New York and western Massachusetts. Additionally, DiPentima notes "the pro- gressive attitude that the City of Middle- town has towards businesses and the support his company has received from the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. "This area has provided a nurturing climate from which Pegasus has been able to grow and thrive," says DePentima. Lower Connecticut River Valley & Coast Region Economic Development Regions in CT The Arrigoni Bridge stretches over the Connecticut River, connecting Middletown and Portland, Connecticut. Regional Contact Information: Jeff Pugliese, Vice President Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce 393 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 Phone: (860) 347-6924 E-mail: jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com www.middlesexchamber.com CONNECTICUT WORKERS > Connecticut is a national and international leader in knowledge-based workers and value added to the marketplace. > Connecticut's workers are among the most productive in the U.S. and the world. > Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas work with their customers to employ continuous process improvements. Check more CT facts at http://ow.ly/w094o