Business View Magazine | June 2019

335 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE JUNE 2019 The Storrs Agricultural School was established in 1881 in the community of Storrs, which then became the University of Connecticut, now one of the largest employers in eastern Connecticut, and according to U.S. News and World Report, the number one public research university in New England, and in the top 25 in the nation. Approximately 12-14,000 students of its total enrollment of 32,000 are added to the 14,000 residents of Mansfield, giving the town an official population of between 26 and 28,000. Mansfield comprises 45 square miles and enjoys a moderate amount of protected open space, notably Mansfield Hollow State Park, eight town parks and preserves, land held by the University of Connecticut, and numerous Joshua's Trust properties, a non-profit conservation organization that protects more than 4,500 acres. Three large farms operate within Mansfield, including Mountain Dairy, which has been producing and processing milk under the stewardship of one family since 1871. Derrik Kennedy was named Town Manager of Mansfield in February 2018, a time when several events commingled to usher in some interesting development opportunities. “Mansfield has a very agricultural-based history,” he explains. “So, you can imagine the feelings of a community that sees itself coming of age and the different mindsets and attitudes about development. But in this area, the community said ‘we think that development is a good idea.’” MANSF I ELD , CONNECT I CUT