1.

Location and Transportation

Multiple entry points for easy I-95 access.

Major cultural and business centers of NYC and Boston are easily accessible by car or train.

Hartford is an hour by car.

Ferry service available from New London, CT to Orient Point, NY.

Two international, one regional and one charter airport within an hour of East Lyme

TF Green International AirportBradley International Airport
2000 Post Road 11 Schoephoester Road
Warwick, RI 02886 Windsor Locks, CT 06096
57 miles from East Lyme Town Hall 58 miles from East Lyme Town Hall

Tweed New Haven Regional Airport
155 Burr Street
New Haven, CT 06512
41 miles from East Lyme Town Hall

Groton-New London Airport (charter service only)
155 Tower Avenue
Groton, CT 06340

2.

Demographics

Median household income in 2007 was $81.2k for East Lyme vs. $65.9k for CT State and $50.2k for the national average.

A large influx of summer residents supplements year-round expenditures of 18,500+ local residents.

East Lyme is a strong civic-minded community with a large volunteer base.

3.

Workforce

Multi-national corporations in close proximity.

According to CERC, CT output per worker is 33% above the national average.

4.

Real Estate

The lease price per square foot of commercial real estate in East Lyme is favorable to small businesses when compared to larger urban areas.

Numerous opportunities exist for redevelopment for small and mid-size businesses.

Diverse housing stock including single-family homes, multiple-family dwelling units, apartments, condominiums and 55+ communities.

38 Hope Street construction project is adding 150 townhome units to downtown Niantic.

Imminent Gateway Commons development project with planned 500,000 mixed use square footage.

5.

Tourism

Proximity to Long Island Sound provides many opportunities for boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, sun-bathing at beaches, and walks on the boardwalk.

Outdoor activities are abundant including hiking and nature trails, golf, horseback riding, cycling, camping, and sports fields.

Abundance of bed and breakfasts and charming inns.

Local cultural venues such as the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, the Florence Griswold Museum, the Children’s Museum of Southeastern CT, the Nautilus Museum, the Garde Arts Center, the Goodspeed Opera House, the Mystic Seaport, and the Mystic Aquarium.

Sports and entertainment venues abound at Foxwoods Resort and Mohegan Sun.

Ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, Fishers Island, and Orient Point, Long Island.

6.

Education

East Lyme High School (ELHS) was ranked #1009 out of all US high schools by Newsweek in 2008.

Connecticut ranked #2 out of 50 for best high schools in the US by US News & World Report.

ELHS SAT scores higher than state average (1088 vs. 1012)

East Lyme Middle School recipient of Blue Ribbon Schools Program Award (1999-2000); Flanders Elementary School recipient of Blue Ribbon Schools Program Award (1993-1994)

7.

Shopping and Dining

Pedestrian-friendly downtown Niantic with boutique shops and galleries.

First-rate restaurants specializing in seafood, American and ethnic fare.

Imminent Gateway Commons development project with planned 500,000 mixed use square footage.

Many small businesses serving community needs.

8.

Citizen Safety

East Lyme enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in New London County.

9.

Business Support Network

Helpful regulatory agencies:
– Planning and Zoning Commission
– Economic Development Commission (EDC)

The EDC is an active member in the SECT Chamber of Commerce.

East Lyme Main Street organization

10.

Quality of Life

Ranked 75th by Money Magazine’s August 2009 list of America’s 100 Best Small Towns in the U.S.