Small Business Making Progess In Groton

In past years, Groton’s annual business update focused on “the big three” – Pfizer, the Naval Submarine Base and Electric Boat.

This morning, the message at the Groton Business Association's annual breakfast was about the progress of small business, and the effort to draw in more.

Barbara Strother, economic development specialist for the town of Groton and featured speaker at the event, said that as an example, six buildings are completed at the Mystic Business Park and a seventh is underway.

“And the buildings are full,” she said.

About 40 business leaders gathered for the event at the Groton Inn & Suites, including Groton City Mayor Dennis Popp and Groton City Deputy Mayor Marian Galbraith, who is running unopposed for city mayor.

Strother said the town has also seen new businesses open recently, including The Sandbox, an indoor sports beach facility drawing customers from as far away as Delaware; Hummingbird Equestrian, a now fully-leased boarding stable; Four Paws Veterinarian, a veterinary office on Cow Hill Road and a Subway Restaurant in what was formerly the Clam Shack.

The town also recently received expansion plans from Walmart and permits from Kohl’s to make $750,000 in interior renovations and improve the building's facade.

“You may not be seeing people building, but they’re committed to keeping (businesses) up-to-date and that’s great also,” Strother said.

Scott Russotto, co-founder of Orion Manufacturing, LLC, a Groton company that provides architectural mill work, said the business started in 2009 and has worked with Electric Boat and Pfizer.

“Hopefully we’ll continue to grow and provide jobs for people again,” he said. “Skilled jobs where people can take advantage of their skills and earn a higher wage.”

Kevin Kelleher, who with his partners recently relocated a New England College Baseball League from Bristol to Groton, said the games beginning in June will draw players and families from across New England to town.

Work has begun on  $500,000 in improvements to Robert E. Fitch High School baseball stadium to accommodate the team.

“We’re going to put on 22 sort of country fairs," Kelleher said, referring to the games, "And the question I have for the business community is, 'What can we do for you?'”

Kim Winkelman, assistant vice president for Citizens Bank in Groton, said the message she took away from the gathering was that small businesses are making it work and that they are welcomed.

Said Galbraith: "These are the people that are going to stay in the community."