Soon after its incorporation in 1712, the Town of New Milford began its history as a trading center for the surrounding settlements. The largest town and one of the fastest growing communities in Connecticut, New Milford is still considered a regional hub for the surrounding municipalities, known locally as the Greater New Milford community.

The industrial revolution began in the mid 1700’s. Iron mines, furnaces and forges supplied the iron products for the region. The remains of these historic industries provide a connection between past and present generations. The coming of the nineteenth century brought new types of commerce and manufacturing, textile mills, marble sawmills, brickyards, hat and furniture manufacturing and machine works flourished in this lush and scenic countryside.

The major markets of the nation were open to the area in 1840 when the railroad united this region with a fast and reliable mode of transportation. This opportunity to ship goods across the vast continent and to receive their surplus provided limitless boundaries for commercial and industrial growth. This open market provided Roxbury, with its five hat-making factories, major markets for its products and contributed to the reputation of the Housatonic Valley as the hat-producing capital.

The Town of New Milford, its residents and elected officials encouraged industrial and commercial expansion. Nestle USA is currently the senior industry in the community, operating three divisions; FIS Food Ingredient Specialities, Inc. a producer of food flavors and ingredients; New Milford Farms, an environmental recycle center; and Nestle R&D Center, Inc., a food research and development laboratory. Kimberly-Clark, the town’s largest employer, started operations here in 1958. The plant has grown from 8 acres of floor space under one roof and about 1100 employees today. The company has been assembling land for future expansion.

This charming community nestled in the rolling hillside and river valleys offers its residents a sense of place and community lost today in most suburban municipalities. The rapid growth of this entire region has resulted in expansion of local retail businesses.

The Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, the New Milford Economic Development Commission and the Town of New Milford Community Planning & Economic Development Department support existing local businesses and are available to serve businesses interested in starting operations or relocating to the Greater New Milford region.

The Chamber of Commerce is a medium for area business people to network, share information and ideas and collaborate on issues affecting the business community and general well being of the regional area. Through the monthly activities and events offered, area business people are afforded the opportunity to come together in both business and social settings. The Chamber also serves as the organizational mechanism in bringing together private business and resources to assist the locale, it provides a portfolio of services to assist member companies in growing their respective businesses and offers assistance to firms inquiring about the area. However, business growth is not the sole purpose of the Chamber. The Greater New Milford Chamber is a catalyst for positive and progressive growth and continuous improvement in the lifestyles of the people in its hometowns. It is also a marketer of the communities it serves, by sponsoring festive and cultural events such as its annual “Village Fair Days”, A New England New Year, and a holiday train display, among other community activities.

Several hundred companies and professional firms comprise the Greater New Milford business community. Although some of the larger industrial entities serve to employ the greatest numbers of people at a single location, the area continues to experience strong growth in the retail and service sectors of our economy and employment.



 

11 Railroad Street, New Milford, CT 06776
Tel. (860) 354-6080 ~ Fax. (860) 354-8526
nmcc@newmilford-chamber.com