Contact the Commission regarding establishment of a new business in Stonington; assistance in finding a business location; State of Connecticut and local assistance and incentives; introductions to area officials and business leaders; area statistics and information. A brochure is available online titled "Come Home To Stonington".
Opportunities for expansion of the local economy are currently focused on several areas. Tourism continues to be a major industry within the Town. Renovations and expansion of the two top tourist attractions, Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium, have fulfilled their promise to maintain their status as premier venues for visitors to the area.
The Mystic Coast and the Country Travel and Tourism Council has been a major factor in promoting the area as a year round destination resort. Its top goals are to increase overall visitation to Mystic Coast and Country, to build attendance at the top four or five attractions/destinations and to maintain weekend hotel occupancy levels, the majority of which are located in the Town of Stonington.
The Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (SeCTer) has taken the lead in stimulating and supporting economic development within Southeastern Connecticut and adjacent areas of Rhode Island by defining the region’s economic development goals and strategy, promoting the region and its resources and coordinating the economic development activities of the region. In creating this organization, public and private sectors have joined forces to create an agency uniquely positioned to retain existing business, create new jobs and promote the region.
Within this larger regional framework, the Stonington Economic Development Commission continues to be active. The Commission has concentrated its efforts in the following areas: the construction of assisted living facilities; and a Highway Interchange Zone in the area of Interstate 95 at Exit 92 to promote development. An advisory committee has also been created to promote investment in this area by clean industry including the possible development of a convention center.
Stonington, along with its neighboring Towns, boasts an enviable quality of life. Visitors and residents alike are drawn to its coast, a chain of coves, inlets and rivers, for fishing, swimming, sailing, and viewing. Its location is in a region which combines cultural and recreational amenities. Situated along major air, rail and highway corridors, Stonington also has a presence on the Information Superhighway with its own web site.
These attributes, coupled with a workforce of highly skilled, well-educated scientific and technical workers and a strong framework of support services, transportation access and regional training facilities provides a basis for economic development in an area steeped in the history of a vibrant past.
| 