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2015 | Doing Business in Connecticut 11 the Bradley Development Zone. Connecticut is also a huge exporter. Some 11 million tons of freight were shipped through the state's major ports — Bridge- port, New London, New Haven, Norwalk and Stamford — in 2012. ›Quality of Life People who live here already know that Connecticut offers an extraordinary quality of life, from its unspoiled forests, lakes and rivers, to an abundance of cultural activities: world-class museums and theaters, casinos, vineyards, countless historic sites and 61 officially designated national landmarks. Not to mention endless miles of walking, hiking and biking trails, numerous state parks, and easy access to miles of scenic coastline and beaches. Mystic Aquarium, Rocky Hill Dinosaur Park, the Mark Twain House, and Bridgeport Zoo are also big draws. Nutmeggers' impressions are backed up by Forbes magazine, which in 2014 declared that Connecticut has the third-best quality of life of any state, offering a diverse array of attractions, and a choice of 169 cities and towns ranging from quaint towns to bustling cosmopolitan centers. Of all 50 states, Connecticut ranks first in per capita income — and our residents are the healthiest in the nation, according to three different studies. Connecticut also has the third-highest level of people with advanced degrees, the fourth-lowest percentage of smokers, the fih-most residents with health insurance, and the fih-lowest poverty rate. e state is also in the top six nationally when it comes to the highest numbers of dentists and doctors per capita, and the lowest rates of infant mortality and obesity. On the entertainment side, said Smith, "we have the Yale Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, the Wad- sworth Atheneum, five nationally renowned live theaters that send original works to Broadway, and the street-level creative art workshops and organizations that make this a really vibrant place to live." She said people who move here "love the amazing life they can have in a place that's friendly and smaller than New York, for example, but with all the benefits of a big city. We have terrific educational institutions in our backyard, so Connecticut really does meet the needs of many families, young and old people alike." ›State Incentives and Access to Capital e state has a business-friendly envi- ronment, offering financial and technical support for companies of all sizes, across all industries, said DECD Commissioner Smith. "We think we have an extremely com- petitive set of tools. Aer listening to our cli- ents, we tailor-made our programs to ensure that our companies succeed." A wide array of tax incentives offers credit for urban and industrial site redevel- opment and enterprise zones, while various business assistance programs help companies improve their productivity and profitability. e state also provides excellent access to capital. In fact, Connecticut ranks fifith in the nation for private R&D investment per capita, twice the national average. "We're home to so many financial services, venture capital and private equity firms," Smith said. "We have everything from regional banks to global firms like Bridgewater. All kinds of companies can find a way to access financing in the state, and if they can't, they can call us and we'll help them find it." She added, "Our first priority in the last four years has been serving the existing base of businesses — ensuring that they were happy and we were meeting their needs. Particularly in the economic sweet spots: bioscience, aerospace manufacturing, ship- building, medical devices, financial services, and digital media." Another focus has been "to recruit compa- nies globally because there are firms in Europe, China, and North and South America that want to be in the U.S. — New York or Boston or California. I tell them, 'You might want to consider Connecticut; it's between New York and Boston but at a lower cost. It has an incred- ible level of academia and an ecosystem of entrepreneurial mentors.' " ›Culture of Innovation Connecticut is also widely known for its innovation, both past and present. "It's a little known fact that our state has been the birth- place of many inventions, from engines for airplanes to sewing machines. ey may not be aware of the many interesting inventions that got their start here," Smith said. at legacy of ingenuity continues to this day. "Jackson Labs is a world leader in per- sonalized medicine; United Technologies is a global giant on the manufacturing front; and Aetna mixes behavioral health with health and exercise programs to improve people's wellbe- ing. ere are so many examples of innovative things going on here." An R&D hub, the state is home to numerous high tech industries like bioscience, aerospace, medical technology and defense. It's also a leader in emerg- ing technolo- gies like fuel cells, alternative energy, and nano- technology. Connecticut inventors hold 33% more patents than the national average, earning the state a top 7 spot for patents issued. In December 2013, Bloomberg Business ranked Connecticut the fourth most in- novative state in the nation, based on the number of STEM professionals and science/ tech degree holders, utility patents issued, state government R&D spending, GSP per employed person, 3-year change in produc- tivity, and the percentage of public technol- ogy companies. Smith said while most people think of Connecticut as e Land of Steady Habits, "our creative and talented residents are com- ing up with new products and services every day of the week." ❑ ' Connecticut offers a prime location and a lower cost. ' — Rebecca Nolan, vice president of business development, MetroHartford Alliance