Economic Development Newsletter
July 2025
MIDDLEFIELD, CONNECTICUT
Middlefield got its name because it's halfway between Middletown and Durham, and Middletown and Meriden. Although it is one of Middlesex County's smaller communities, the town dates back to the late seventeenth century with the first Connecticut settlers. Established as a town in 1866, today’s Middlefield is a popular recreation destination with plenty of activities year-round.
Natural attractions include Lake Beseck Beach, Black Pond, Peckham Park, and Wadsworth State Park, which spans Middlefield and Middletown, and features the impressive Big Falls waterfall.
Recreation spots like Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort, Indian Springs Golf Club, Lyman Orchards, and Powder Hill Dinosaur Park draw thousands of visitors yearly, boosting the local economy.
TOWN STATS
General
Current Population: 4,236
Median Age: 50
Median Household Income: $113,750
Economy
Top Industries
1. Manufacturing
2. Construction
3. Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
4. Healthcare and Social Assistance
5. Government
Housing
Median Home Value: $371,400
Median Rent: $2,200
Housing Units: 1,933
From 2025 Town Profiles courtesy of AdvanceCT and CT Data Collaborative.
Economic Development Highlights
The Economic Development Commission is currently designing and installing new wayfinding signs to assist visitors. One will be positioned at the intersection of Routes 68 and 157, another across from Peckham Park, and a third at Route 66 and Jackson Hill Road.
A recent referendum approved the redevelopment of the town’s firehouse at 406 Jackson Hill Road. The town will add a 10,000-square-foot expansion to establish a new public safety and emergency management facility. The town recognized the growing demand for emergency services and the need for advanced technologies to better serve residents and visitors.
Ideas are being organized to convert the John Lyman School into an “arts space” following the consolidation of the Middlefield and Durham elementary schools in 2027. Being modeled after the Farmington Valley Arts Center, the building will house cooperative work and gallery space, with events and open studio days.
After the Cooper Atkins manufacturing facility closed in 2023, Hayward Turnstiles, Inc., a Connecticut-based manufacturer with multiple locations worldwide, opened a site in the existing industrial space.
Economic Development Commission
The Board of Selectpeople reactivated the Middlefield EDC in late 2022 to bolster the town's volunteer base and assist the Board in making impactful decisions.
Five dedicated volunteers serve on the commission; all are residents of Middlefield with a vested interest in the town's well-being. The members include Jen Huddleston (chair), Ruth Vizard (secretary), Sean Hayes, Darin Overton, and John Giammatteo.
The EDC focuses on following the Plan of Conservation and Development by preserving Middlefield's charm and rural character while welcoming appropriate businesses, supporting them, and fostering a positive business environment.
Middlefield – Durham Multi-Use Trail
After receiving $172,000 through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program, Middlefield is moving forward with phase one planning and design work to create a multi-use trail from Peckham Park to the southeast Middlefield/Durham town line.
Using much of the old 1880-1910 Meriden-Middletown-Guilford Electric Railway Trolley Line path, the trail will cross and follow the Coginchaug River basin to provide new access to river frontage, wildlife habitat, and diverse natural landscapes for non-motorized pedestrians and cyclists, including hikers, joggers, parents with strollers, ADA residents, birders, and bicyclists. Phase two will require additional funding for planning and completion, with the goal of extending the trail to Durham’s Main Street.
The Economies of Recreation
Recreation, particularly outdoor recreation, plays a significant role in economic development by generating economic activity, creating jobs, and contributing to overall economic output. Investments in parks and recreation facilities, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and related businesses can stimulate local economies and improve quality of life.
Direct, Indirect, and Induced Effects
Recreation generates economic activity through direct spending on recreation-related goods and services, indirect spending by businesses that support recreation, and induced spending by individuals whose income is tied to recreation.
Contribution to GDP
The outdoor recreation economy substantially contributes to the US GDP, with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reporting $1.2 trillion in economic output and 2.3% of the nation's GDP in 2023.
Job Creation
Outdoor recreation supports millions of jobs across various industries, from park staff and recreation guides to businesses in gateway communities.
Rural Economic Development
Outdoor recreation can be a key driver of economic development in rural areas, diversifying local economies and creating opportunities for businesses and employment.
Quality of Life
Parks and recreation facilities enhance quality of life, which can attract residents, businesses, and skilled workers, further boosting economic activity.