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86 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2017 Transportation INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT › by businesses. "e existing trail system traverses a diverse mix of land uses, connecting many residential areas with businesses, commercial and industrial areas," he says. Additionally, a growing number of Millennials are seeking jobs where they can commute to work by biking or walk- ing, he says. "Employees at businesses along the trail system not only enjoy the ability to commute via the trail system, but enjoy the recre- ational and physical activity afforded by the system," says Redeker. "It's not unheard of for businesses located along the trail to offer bicycles for use by their employees during their designated break periods. Amenities such as these are used to attract new talent." More businesses are realizing the ben- efits of being located near trails, says Laurie Giannotti, coordinator of the state Depart- ment of Energy and Environmental Protec- tion's Trails & Greenways Program. Some are advertising their proximity to the trails at their place of business, while others opt to advertise their businesses along the trails with sponsored benches or signage, she says. "ere's a large (trail) user community," she says. "ere are a bunch of different ways to get their attention. ere's a lot of different ways for businesses to get involved." From a broader perspective, she adds, the trails are proven economic drivers. Pedal to the metal A study in March 2017 by the Nau- gatuck Valley Council of Governments found the Naugatuck River Greenway has a measurable economic impact in the 11 com- munities through which it runs. Residents who live near the trail realize a combined annual consumer surplus — the value they derive from being close to the trail, but for which they may not pay — of around $13.8 million, the study found. at trail is expected to generate vari- ous economic benefits by the time planned improvements are completed in 2031, in- cluding growth in employment, population, personal and disposable income, and the region's gross domestic product, according to the study. Connecticut's trails draw a wide array of users, Redeker says: young, old, families, groups, individuals, runners, cyclists, walk- ers, skaters, people using mobility devices, equestrians and others. ose who use them like that the trails feature easy access, an opportunity to escape traffic, quiet and natural settings, connectiv- ity to regional destinations, and a consistent design from town to down, he says. ose looking to explore the trails can map out their adventure using the online CT Rail Trail Explorer at ct.gov/deep/railtrailexplorer. Launched in 2016, the site was de- veloped by DEEP and DOT and lets users plan their visit with the help of an in- teractive map. Among its features, it calculates how far visitors will have to travel from a parking lot to a destination, measures the distance between parking lots, shows terrain eleva- tions, incorporates trail photos and high- lights features of interest. Once site visitors have decided on a route, they can print it out a map. ❑ > Continued from page 85 ' Employees at businesses along the trail system not only enjoy the ability to commute via the trail system, but enjoy the recreational and physical activity afforded by the system. ' — JAmes reDeKer, commissioner of the ct DepArtment of trAnsportAtion CT State Park Bike Trails Source: CT DEEP Trail Name No. of miles No. of towns it passes through Trail endpoints The Airline State Park Trail 50 11 East Hampton and Thompson Hop River State Park Trail 20 6 Andover and Vernon Moosup Valley State Park Trail 5.8 2 Plainfield and Sterling Larkin State Park Trail 10 4 Middlebury and Southbury