Robust economic growth is critical for the long-term success of the Greater New Haven region. We have all the ingredients necessary for expanding our regional economy: growing industries, a bustling airport, a unique arts and culture scene, impressive institutions of higher education, and a talented workforce.
As the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, we are always emphasizing these strengths, but another one that is less talked about is water.
Our region is home to an abundance of high-quality water. Water is critical for many industries. From breweries to bioscience to manufacturing, water is a key ingredient. As we promote our region, we must highlight the unique assets, like water, that make Greater New Haven a great place to do business.
In business, water is truly everywhere. Businesses like East Rock Brewing Company, Chabaso Bakery, Modern Apizza, Foxon Park Beverages and others have pointed to the high quality water as being key to their product’s success. In other regions of the country, water must be excessively treated and filtered before it can be used. In Greater New Haven, the Regional Water Authority (RWA) ensures that our water is of the highest quality, right out of the tap. They have been making life better for our citizens and communities for 175 years.
Our region’s abundance of water also sets us apart from other parts of the country. As we see in the news, droughts and water shortages are common across the country. In the Greater New Haven region, all local communities draw from the RWA’s 10 reservoirs, three aquifers, seven wellfields and four state-of-the-art water treatment plants, which provide an average of 42 million gallons of water a day to some 116,000 homes and businesses, or about 430,000 consumers. The state is exceedingly water rich with a surplus of several million gallons a day.
The abundance of high-quality water is essential to economic development efforts and equally essential is the support of our regional water utility. We are fortunate in Greater New Haven to have the RWA’s support of economic development efforts throughout the region. The RWA offers economic development rates as an incentive to encourage new commercial and industrial customers that are significantly expanding operations.
In addition to their direct support of new and expanding businesses, the RWA also supports the Greater New Haven Chamber’s economic development business retention and expansion work. Through the RWA’s support, we have been able to visit over 360 companies since 2020, providing over 700 resource connections and identifying more than 1,300 open jobs. This work has resulted in retaining businesses and supporting expansions including an additional 227,000 square feet of industrial and commercial space. This fortifies our regional economy, sustains employment opportunities, and nurtures the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Available water to our homes and businesses is something that most of us take for granted. In Greater New Haven, our water system can help grow our economy.
For some businesses, high-quality and abundant water are critical factors in deciding where to locate, making Connecticut the place to be. It’s incumbent on all of us to spread the story about Greater New Haven. We have so much to offer, from a talented workforce to quality of life to leading industries.
Water is just one more reason why businesses should choose to build and grow in Greater New Haven.
Garrett Sheehan is President & CEO of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.