Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe today led a contingent of town representatives and commercial property owners, as part of a larger group known as the Fairfield 5, to New York City to promote Fairfield County as a place to locate or relocate businesses.
The Westport delegation included (l-r) David Waldman, First Selectman jim Marpe, Matthew Mandell, and Roger Leifer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
The lunchtime gathering, held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, was the first attempt for this new partnership of towns that includes Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Fairfield and Westport.
Fairfield 5 was formed this summer to advance the idea that together they can pitch lower Fairfield County as an inviting economic powerhouse. (See WestportNow Sept. 1, 2017)
About 60 persons attended, including executives, site locators and real estate brokers. They heard from each mayor or first selectman, Catherine Smith, the commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic Development, and C. Yvonne Hickey from Xerox, a company that she said “enjoys being in and its relationship with Norwalk.”
“Westport is a unique suburban community,” said Marpe. “Fourteen percent of our grand list is driven by commercial properties with a strong base including Bridgewater Associates and Terex, as well as a number of emerging small innovators in marketing, financial services and technology.”
He added: “At the same time, we have a strong heritage of commitment to the arts and historic preservation as well as wonderful public amenities including Compo Beach, Longshore’s championship golf course and most importantly a world-class school system. I invite you to come to Westport and see first hand all that we have to offer your businesses and employees.”
Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe addresses today’s New York City meeting as fellow mayors and first selectmen listened. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
The Westport presentation was a collaboration between the town and the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce whose executive director, Matthew Mandell, was among attendees along with David Waldman and Roger Leifer, Westport real estate developers who offered their expertise on office availability and doing business in the area.
“This was a great start to reverse the sentiment that Connecticut is in a death spiral,” said Mandell. “Word will get out that this worked and more people will become interested and hopefully set up shop here.”
The group will be holding on-site tours for meeting attendees of the five towns this month and next. They will be holding their next event in April again in New York City.
