About the City of Bridgeport
The Time is Now – The Place is Here
- Mayor Joseph P. Ganim The Case for a Casino Gaming Entertainment Resort on the Waterfront in Bridgeport
W ith a very diverse workforce, unparalleled access to transportation options, and beautiful streets and parks all within close proximity to the powerhouse Northeastern market, Bridgeport is an ideal city to grow or start a business. The central city to theGreater Bridgeport Region is home to several of the State’s top financial andhealth care institutions, manufacturing companies, sports-entertainment venues, regional energy resource facilities, and educational institutions. The City’s Inter-modal Transportation Facility links local bus service with the Metro-North commuter line and the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Ferry terminal. And, the City of Bridgeport owns and operates the Sikorsky Memorial Airport. Advantageously located in the middle of a confluence of highways (Interstate 95, the Merritt Parkway, Route 8, Route 25, and Route 1), the City is positioned to be a hub for continued economic development and regional business growth.
But this is not only about Bridgeport. The economic development, the number of jobs, and the amount of additional revenue that a resort-casino would bring to the region are too great to pass up. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of my constituents are strongly in support. They know the positive economic impact and the tax relief that such development would bring. They are excited about the new opportunities for entertainment, shopping, and dining that would become available to them. And everyone recognizes the importance of the employment opportunities. We are talking about many thousands of construction jobs, and at least 2,000 permanent jobs post-construction. This is an economic game-changer for so many that live in Bridgeport and throughout Connecticut. Bridgeport is growing. Even the casual observer can see the number of economic development projects currently underway in the city. A resort-casino would make Bridgeport a destination for many and would put Connecticut’s largest city on the next level. Millions of dollars in investment, millions of dollars in revenue, a stronger tax base, thousands of interim and permanent jobs, a major tourist destination with live entertainment, hotel accommodations, multiple dining options, unique retail... The time is now. The place is here.
This past February 26th, 2019, I joined with members of the Bridgeport legislative delegation in presenting testimony to the Public Safety and Transportation Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly in favor of House Bill 7055, “An Act Creating the Connecticut Gaming Commission and Creating a Competitive Bidding Process for a Resort Casino.” This Act would establish a competitive request-for-proposals process through which the State will evaluate specific proposals for casino-gaming resorts in light of the economic benefit they would produce for Connecticut. No city is better positioned thanBridgeport to create that positive impact for the state. No region is better prepared. As is the case with all development, location is key. With Connecticut’s existing casinos facing significant competition from MGM Springfield to the north and from Wynn’s Encore Boston Harbor to the northeast, Connecticut’s best location for preserving, and even expanding, its market share lies to the southwest on the coast. This is the only location from which the State can capture the Metropolitan New York and Long Island markets. And the best location to serve those markets is the Bridgeport waterfront. Right off I-95, with direct access by ferry from Long Island, by train from New York, and even by air from Sikorsky, no site is more accessible, more visible, or better suited for what we envision as nothing less than a major waterfront entertainment resort.
BRIDGEPORT
DEMOGRAPHIC|ECONOMICS OVERVIEW: For full report visit CERC Town Profiles 2018 at www.cerc.com Population 2012 - 2016: 147,022 2020 Projection: 148,729 Median Age: 33 Households: 50,367 Median HH Income: $ 43,137 ECONOMICS: Labor Force (2016) : 71,290 Employed: 64,992 Business Profile (2016) Sector Units Employment Total All Industries 2,559 42,951 23 Construction 205 1,179 31-33 Manufacturing 158 4,047 44-45 Retail Trade 297 3,266 62 Health Care, Social Assistance 308 12,492 1 Government 81 7,721
BRIDGEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRIDGEPORT REGIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL As a chamber affiliate of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce acts as a resource with its members to promote, assist and advocate for small business. The Bridgeport Chamber is a strong supporter of all economic development efforts and sustainability initiatives in Bridgeport. Bridgeport businesses wishing to have a voice at their local business round table and who are interested in advancing positive economic growth are welcome and invited to join the conversation. Please contact Jeff Bishop, Executive Director at bishop@brbc.org to find out how you can engage in Bridgeport’s current and future economic prosperity.
Top Five Grand List
Commuters from-to: Major Employers Liberty Tax Service Bridgeport Hospital Trefz Corporation United Services St. Vincent’s Medical Center
United Illuminating Co.
Wheelabrator
Bridgeport Energy PSEG Power CT CT Light & Power
Commuters into-from :
Bridgeport Stratford Shelton Milford Trumbull Fairfield Norwalk
13,306 3,648 2,171 2,116 1,991 1,767 1,136
Bridgeport Fairfield Stratford Norwalk Stamford Trumbull Milford
13,306
4,947 3,915 3,512 2,688 2,747 2,449
The Bridgeport Harbor poised for further shovel-ready economic development -NOW!
14 REGION | GREATER BRIDGEPORT
REGION | GREATER BRIDGEPORT 15
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