Mayor Vincent Cervoni describes Wallingford as a place where the past and present harmoniously coexist. “You become very aware of the history of this town,” he states, highlighting the town’s 350th anniversary celebration, which was delayed to 2022 due to the pandemic. This milestone indicates Wallingford’s enduring legacy and the resilience of its community. Downtown Wallingford is a bustling activity hub centered around the intersection of Center Street and North and South Main Streets. The mayor proudly notes,“Downtown dining is terrific. We have, within walking distance, probably 7 or 8 excellent restaurants.” This culinary variety caters to diverse tastes and adds to the town’s lively atmosphere. The town’s economic landscape is marked by diverse businesses, from local enterprises to multinational corporations. Mayor Cervoni mentions Holo-Krome, a division of Fastenal, a key player in the automotive parts industry, and Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc., which recently celebrated its centennial. Another notable business is Fortune 500 company, Amphenol. “It provides high tech and microwave cabling applications as mundane as home audio and as sophisticated as the F series fighter planes used by the Air Force,” the mayor shares. REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN WALLINGFORD Wallingford’s downtown area is experiencing significant revitalization driven by strategic town planning and community incentives. Mayor Cervoni shares the town’s recent efforts to improve infrastructure, stating: “We started this season by repairing and paving a couple of thousand feet of sidewalk downtown. We have a very walkable downtown.” These improvements are part of a broader strategy to make the area more accessible and inviting for residents and visitors. In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Wallingford has implemented various incentives to attract businesses. The mayor highlights the town’s competitive edge: “We have our own electric division, which makes us very attractive because our electric rates are between 30 and 40% lower than competing communities.”This cost advantage is further bolstered by a program that offers additional incentives for new downtown businesses. Wallingford Center Inc., a local organization similar to a mini chamber of commerce, plays a crucial role in the town’s revitalization efforts. Mayor Cervoni explains,“They have a grant program for facade and 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 WALLINGFORD, CT
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