
Oxford
The Right Choice
for your company and your family



Oxford
An Introduction
Originally incorporated in 1789 and located in
southwestern Connecticut, Oxford is one of the
fastest growing communities in the State. Why? It
is conveniently located in New Haven County,
within easy access of major East/West and
North/South highways and Interstates. It also
has over 2,500 acres of land designated for
industrial and commercial use. The town's rural
character provides business owners and their
employees with a classic New England setting
that is both attractive and
affordable. "The Naugatuck Valley"
as Oxford and its environs are
2nd Hole, Oxford Greens, Oxford, CT
locally known, is rich in history,
recreational and cultural activities
and is only a few hours drive from
both New York City and Boston.
In addition to available land a
scarce commodity in the Northeast
Oxford can offer businesses a low
tax rate, a business-friendly
environment, and access to a skilled
and educated labor force. Over
2,200 people currently travel into
welcome
Oxford every day. (Source: U.S. Census
Bureau and Connecticut Economic Resource Center)
Businesses that have already made Oxford their
home come from a variety of market sectors
including: professional services, retail,
corporate, industrial and manufacturing.
According to a report by Connecticut Economic
Resource Center (CERC) in July 2005, the area
is also considered prime for businesses in
financial services, pharmaceuticals, healthcare,
biomedical, business services, technology, metal
manufacturing, telecommunication, software
development, and specialized transportation.


manufacturing and industrial skills.
In addition, Oxford's proximity to
Reasons to
several major, prestigious universities
such as Yale University, Quinnipiac
University, the University of Connecticut
and the University of New Haven ensure
Locate your businesses have access to a highly
educated, professional employment base.
Approximately 34 percent of the
Business in
population in the Region has attained at
least a Bachelor's Degree, compared
with 31.5 percent for the State and 24.4
percent for the U.S. Further 14.7 percent
Oxford of the Region's population has a
graduate degree, compared to 13.3
Employer Benefits
percent in the State and 8.9 percent in
Interstate 84, a major East/West highway
the nation (Source: CERC.)
Available Land
that provides easy access to New York,
With 75 percent of the eligible
Oxford has 2,500 acres of land
Massachusetts and the Northeast.
population in the labor force, Oxford's
available for business expansion. There
The industrial area is zoned for parcel
participation rate is much higher than the
is an affordable range of commercial and
sizes ranging from 2.5 acres to hundreds
State average of almost 67 percent. This
industrial plots and facilities for sale or
of acres and businesses will have access
is a positive reflection on the skill and
lease.
to natural gas, three-phase electric
work ethic of the resident population.
power, municipal water and sewers, and
Research also indicates that Oxford
Designated Corporate
fiber optic networks.
residents are more stable than the State
and Industrial Area
average having been born in Connecticut
Foreign Trade Zone
The Corporate and Industrial Area is
and living in a traditional twoparent
Oxford is in the process of applying
situated in the Northeast section of
household with children in
for a Foreign Trade Zone designation in
Oxford. It is located less than a mile to
owneroccupied housing. Residents are
its corporate and industrial area. The
also less likely to have moved in the last
goal is to provide improved economic
ten years. (Source; CERC)
benefit to local companies involved in
international trade. In a Foreign Trade
Zone, businesses are able to lower their
overall production costs and gain a
competitive advantage by not paying
duty on any imported components.
Low Tax Rate
The cost of conducting business in
Oxford is lower than many other
municipalities in Connecticut. We offer
businesses a tax incentive program, a
stable tax base and a constantly
"Over the past five years, Oxford
expanding Grand List.
Paint & Hardware has constructed
over 14,000 square feet of
Skilled, Educated and
warehouse, showroom and office
Stable Labor Force
"There is a very strong commitment
facilities. During each of these
to business development and
From Oxford and the neighboring
expansion phases, the Town
retention by the Town of Oxford and
towns in The Naugatuck Valley,
commissions and land use boards
I am very pleased that Webster is a
businesses can tap into a diverse
have been professional, cooperative
welcomed part of the Oxford business
workforce from the hourly worker to the
and timely in working with our
community."
skilled and more educated professional.
engineer and project manager."
Seven regional technical and community
Lisa Behling
Michael Quoka, President
Oxford Branch Manager
colleges provide a pool of trained
Oxford Paint & Hardware Inc.
Webster Bank
personnel with technology,


"Moving to a new building in Oxford
Transportation Options
A Business Mindset
was a giant growth step for our
Oxford Regional Airport, located in
Oxford has a very active economic
company because we had run the
the industrial area, boasts the second
development program led by the Director,
business from our home for ten years.
longest runway in Connecticut
Economic Development. He is ably
We were very pleased with the help
measuring 5,500 feet and is home to
assisted by a sevenperson appointed
we received from the Town of Oxford.
many Fortune 500 business clientele,
Economic Development Commission, all
They made it easy for us."
who house their corporate jets there.
of whom report to Oxford's Board of
Dick Yacko, President
Although there are no commercial flights
Selectmen. The Commissioners,
PRO Scientific Inc.
out of Oxford Regional Airport, over 200
predominantly local business owners,
private planes and 45 corporate aircraft
lawyers, bankers and marketing
regularly fly in and out. There are
professionals, are focused on both
several hotels and meeting facilities
economic development and business
located just minutes away in adjacent
retention and are on hand to facilitate a
towns.
new business' entry into Oxford.
Several major airports are within easy
Many Oxford businesses also belong
driving distance of Oxford - Bradley
to the Greater Valley Chamber of
International in Hartford, Westchester
Commerce or the Waterbury Regional
County Airport, John F. Kennedy and
Chamber of Commerce, which are very
LaGuardia in New York, and Newark
active in providing opportunities for
Liberty in New Jersey.
businesses of all sizes to network and
In addition, there is a Metro North
create synergistic relationships.
train station located in adjacent Seymour
Oxford is also home to a Regional
that connects to Waterbury in the North,
Innovation Center, located in the industrial
Boston in the East and New York City,
and corporate zone, where new businesses
Washington, DC, and all points South.
are supported in an incubator program.
Accessible Location
44
295
44
To Boston
91
8
44
84
Providence
Providence
Providence
6
44
Hartford
6
384
395
7
2
95
6
Waterbury
91
9
Providence
84
Oxford
95
Danbury
New Haven
"Our experience with the Town of
8
95
New London
RHODE ISLAND
7
Oxford was instrumental in Macton's
Bridgeport
CONNECTICUT
95
commitment to come to Oxford. With
Stamford
our very aggressive construction
6
schedule, we had to go to the location
New York
City
that presented the lowest risks and
Waterbury
provided the highest confidence that we
91
Oxford is easily accessible
could meet our schedule. We quickly
from anywhere in the
84
realized that the Town of Oxford was as
Oxford
Northeast, approximately 85
bury
committed to our schedule as we were.
New Haven
miles from New York City and
With their cooperation, we were able to
8
secure full approvals for the project
150 miles from Boston. Oxford is
7
B id
t
within 60 days of our initial
strategically linked to a network of
application, allowing us to break
Interstate and Intrastate highways, including Interstates 84, 91,
ground ahead of the winter season and
95 and State Route 8. Interstate 84, the primary East/West
take occupancy on time."
transportation route, is located one mile from the Oxford
Regional Airport. Route 8, the North/South transportation
Dave Perkins, President
The Macton Corporation
route, is located one mile from the town's border.



"The friendliness of the entire Town
Superb Recreation
Hall staff and Oxford's probusiness
climate were key elements in our
decision to remain in Oxford. My
Oxford offers many leisure opportunities on the hundreds of
advice to companies both in and out
acres of land specifically preserved for recreational use. Fishing,
of state contemplating a move would
boating, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding are just some of
be to strongly consider Oxford for their
the outdoor activities residents can enjoy at State and Town
relocation."
Parks and along the State Bridle Trail. Some of the most popular
George Dewey, Owner
recreational destinations in Oxford are:
Dewey J. Manufacturing Company
Jackson Cove Beach & Boat Launch
Kirk's Pond
Lake Zoar
Oxford Glen Park
Pomperaug Trail
Posypanko Park
Rockhouse Land Preserve
There is also a new, championship 18-hole golf course, designed
by noted golf course architect Mark Mungeam that opened in
2005 as part of the Golf Club at Oxford Greens, an over55
residential community. This challenging, championship layout
features a neoclassical design that flows through 680 acres of
natural beauty, and offers breathtaking vistas and striking terrain.
Employee Benefits
Affordable Housing
If a business is going to build or
Oxford has seen a residential boom
relocate its business to Oxford, it is
over the last few years due to its
important for business owners and
availability of land and reasonably priced
managers to know that Oxford has much
housing. Only 43 percent of households
to offer their employees in terms of
spend more than 30 percent of their
reasonably priced housing, a strong
income on mortgage or rent payments
school system and a beautiful rural
relative to 61 percent at the State level.
environment in which to raise a family.
(Source: CERC)
Over 80 percent of the land in Oxford is
classified as open space with population
Cultural Arts
density less than half that of the State.
and Civic Activities
The Oxford Cultural Arts Commission
Excellent Educational
provides an evergrowing program of
Facilities
cultural enrichment that includes summer
There are three public schools in
concerts, art shows and other yearround
"I decided to build an industrial
Oxford: Quaker Farms School for pre-
events and activities.
park here because after investigating
the area I decided that Oxford was
kindergarten through Grade 2, Oxford
Oxford is a vibrant community with
poised for growth. There's a large,
Center School for students in Grades 3-
over 30 civic groups. These include many
fairly contiguous area of industrial
5, and Great Oak School for Grades 6-8.
nationally recognized organizations such
property, plus there's good
A state-of-the-art high school, replete
as the Rotary Club, Lions Club,
infrastructure, including public
with gymnasium, media center,
American Legion, Newcomers and
water and sewer. There is also
auditorium and natatorium, is being built
Neighbors, plus the local Historical
excellent access and the availability
off Route 188, and students will
Society, Garden Club and Friends of the
of a viable work force."
gradually start occupying the facility in
Library among many others.
Dave Sippin
2007. Currently, high school aged
Developer, OwnerOperator
children attend schools in nearby
Oxford Commerce Park
Seymour, Woodbury and Monroe.


An Overview of Oxford's Vital Statistics
No representation or warranties, expressed or implied, are given regarding he accuracy of this information.
Demographics
Graduation Rate
Housing
Area: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.89 square miles
Percentage to Higher Education . . . 84.5%
Existing Units (total) . . . . . . . . . . . 3,612
Population: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,634
Percentage Graduation . . . . . . . . . 95.9%
2004 Median Sale Price . . . . . . $ 364,900
Source: 20034 Department of Education School Profiles
Source: CERC
Age Distribution
Economic Profile
Utilities
As of 2005
Electricity: Connecticut Power & Light
04 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6%
As of 2005
Natural Gas: Yankee Gas Company
517 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20%
Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . # Firms
Water: Heritage Water Co.
1824 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7%
Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
and Aquarion Water Co.
2549 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39%
Construction/Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Telecommunications: SBC
5064 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19%
Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Cable: Telemedia of Western Connecticut
65+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%
Transportation/Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Median Age: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 years
Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Government
Source: CERC
Finance/Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Type of Government
Education
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Selectmen Town Meeting
As of 2005
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Year Incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1798
Total Students: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,065
Average Household Income
Fulltime Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
K8: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,537
2005: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 85,341
Volunteer Fire Department . . . . . . . . Yes
High School: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 528*
1998: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 81,497
Grand List
Student/Population Ratio . . . . . . 14.1%
1990: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 57,860
Bond Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1
Student/Teacher Ratio . . . . . . . . . 14.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau & CERC
Mill Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . Call Town Hall**
Percentage in Public School . . . . . 86.6%
Labor Force
Last Revaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2004
* Currently children of high school age attend schools outside of
Oxford. Oxford's high school is expected to be operational in
As of 2004
State Taxes
late 2007.
Employed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,935
Corporate Business Tax . . . . . . . . . 7.5%
Sales Tax, Goods/Services. . . . . . . . 6.0%
SAT Scores
Unemployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Personal Income Tax Rate . . . . . . . 4.5%
Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512
Unemployment Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7%
Source: CERC
Verbal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509
** As of time of printing, budget referendum had not occurred.
The Town of Oxford welcomes all business inquiries.
Visit us on the web: www.oxfordedc.com
Or by email: info@oxfordedc.com
Director of Economic Development
Herman Schuler
203-888-2543, ext. 3028
Office of the First Selectman
August Palmer III
203-888-2543, ext. 3012
Town of Oxford Economic Development Commission
S.B. Church Memorial Town Hall
486 Oxford Road
Oxford, Connecticut 06478
fax 203-888-2136
Photography: Fred Ortoli, Ian Freeman, Oxford Greens.