Economic Development Newsletter
December 2024
PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT
Located on the eastern side of Middlesex County and across the Connecticut River from Middletown, Portland was originally inhabited by the Native American tribe, the Wangunk, and was established by the first European Americans in 1652 and incorporated in 1841. Drawn to the area by the quality of its brownstone, a valuable resource for construction and gravestones, Portland’s quarries supplied brownstone across the United States, Canada, and England and supported many other industries in the area, including shipbuilding and tobacco farming.
The quarries have been shuttered since the 1930s yet remain a scenic natural resource, providing a recreational and tourism destination. Today’s Portland is an economically diverse community with an in-demand small-town feel and a high quality of life for its residents and businesses.
TOWN STATS
General
Current Population: 9,409
Median Age: 41
Median Household Income: $116,098
Economy
Top Industries
1. Government
2. Repair and Maintenance
3. Retail
4. Healthcare & Social Services
5. Accommodation and Food Services
Housing
Median Home Value: $289,300
Median Rent: $1,180
Housing Units: 3,875
From 2024 Town Profiles courtesy of AdvanceCT and CT Data Collaborative.
NOTABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The U.S. arm of the Australian-based defense contractor Birdon Group arrived in Portland in 2022, purchasing the Riverside Marina and Yankee Boat Yard for its East Coast portion of a 10-year contract with the Coast Guard. Since its arrival, the company has hired over 100 people and has become a strong contributor to the local economy.
The Brainerd Place project, currently under construction, includes residential apartments, retail, medical, and office space. It incorporates new construction and the restoration of three historic homes on the former Elmcrest Psychiatric Hospital site.
The Brownstone Nordic Spa, which will open in early 2026, will feature a two-story bathhouse, outdoor patio, steam rooms, four hydrotherapy loops, massage therapy, and two restaurants. It will bring the true Nordic Spa experience to Middlesex County.
Ryan Curley, First Selectman
Ryan Curley has been the First Selectman of Portland, Connecticut, since November 2021. He has focused on economic development, infrastructure improvement, and community revitalization. Under his leadership, Portland has welcomed notable businesses, including the Australian-based Birdon Group, advanced the transformative Brainerd Place mixed-use development, and facilitated progress on the upcoming Nordic Spa by Pomeroy Lodging.
Ryan has been instrumental in securing grants that drive economic growth, such as the Brownfield Area Remediation (BAR) Planning Grant, which will lay the foundation for a comprehensive master plan to revitalize Portland’s downtown. Enhancing the town’s walkability has also been a priority, with extensive sidewalk replacement projects completed and plans in place to replace all Main Street sidewalks by 2025. He has also spearheaded critical infrastructure projects, including efforts to secure an independent water source, ensuring Portland’s sustainability and resilience for years to come.
The Chamber and The Middlesex County Revitalization Commission (MCRC), which Ryan has chaired for the past two years, would like to thank Ryan for his leadership and partnership during his tenure.
Three Questions with….
Chris Puchalla, Vice President of Real Estate, Pomeroy Lodging
We sat down with Chris Puchalla, Vice President of Real Estate at Pomeroy Lodging, the development group behind the new Brownstone Nordic Spa. This 6-acre adult-only accessible wellness destination will be built at 311 Brownstone Avenue and is planned for a 2026 opening. Chris shared why Portland ended up on their radar, what it has been like working with the Town, and what it means to “disconnect to reconnect.”
Q: Why did Pomeroy Lodging choose Portland?
A: Pomeroy Lodging is expanding to multiple areas across North America, and Portland quickly became a possibility. It is an iconic New England town with a rich history and ideal natural resources. The location, in an old quarry on the Connecticut River, offers the perfect setting for our guests to immerse themselves in nature and escape a busy world. The design incorporates the natural elements of the quarry, and the previous owners, whose passion and hard work uncovered the hidden natural beauty, remain involved, and we’re looking forward to bringing a complementary business to the area for visitors to have a year-round experience with the quarries.
Q: How has it been working with the Town of Portland?
A: Truly wonderful. We look at hundreds of sites yearly and are always a bit “nervous” when approaching the towns with our idea, as our product doesn’t fit into any typical municipal planning and development process. So, having the First Selectman’s office, the planning department, the fire department, and other Portland leaders embrace the opportunity and work with us has been wonderful. There are still many more milestones before the spa opens, but we’re looking to continue the good mojo we’ve got going on in Portland.
Q: What do you mean by “disconnect to reconnect?”
A: COVID-19 revolutionized experiential real estate development, and the demand for health and wellness destinations is increasing. The purpose of the Portland spa will stay true to the Nordic practices of hydrotherapy as a social experience with indoor and outdoor circuits, emphasizing the movement between hot, cold, and rest – all without the interruptions of electronic devices. We aim to create a place for visitors to truly slow down, check out of this busy world, find awareness and harmony in the natural environment, and reap the benefits of this holistic approach to wellness.
What is a Master Plan?
A "town master plan" is a comprehensive document that outlines a community's vision for future development. It guides how land use, infrastructure, and public spaces will be managed and expanded over time. The plan typically encompasses the town's desired growth and development goals based on community input and analysis of existing conditions. Master plans are:
- Future-oriented: It acts as a roadmap for the town's future physical development, looking decades ahead and identifying areas suitable for different types of development, such as residential, commercial, and industrial zones. It also considers required infrastructure, including transportation networks, utilities, parks, and other public facilities.
- Community-driven: reflecting the values and priorities of the community through public engagement and input.
- Actionable: The plan translates the vision into a policy framework to guide decision-making by the local government.
The Brownstone Quorum
Established in 1999 following the purchase of the brownstone quarries and riverfront properties by the Town, the Brownstone Quorum is a membership-based group whose mission is to preserve the use of the parks and local area and provide educational resources on the history of the quarries. Through strong partnerships with many organizations, including the Town of Portland and The Rockfall Foundation, and with funding from STEAP Grants through the State of Connecticut, The Brownstone Quorum has cleaned up and mitigated environmental issues, installed interpretive signage and a playscape, conducted tours (both on land and via canoe), planted trees and created new trails, designed a labyrinth for peaceful meditative visits, and built the Brownstone Arch Pavillion.
Thanks to the dedicated members and volunteers and the generosity of sponsors, the Brownstone Quorum also hosts a summer concert series. The series is free for the community to enjoy, along with the the space and history unique to Portland. To keep up with the Quorum’s activities and upcoming events, visit its Facebook page.