ESPN ‘First Five’ Good for State, But What Does It Mean for Southington?

The state received good news on the business front last week when the sports media powerhouse ESPN announced it would be relocating its magazine operations from New York City to Bristol, something officials agree will benefit central Connecticut for years to come.

What does the plan to increase staffing by 300 employees at the ESPN campus just over the town line mean for Southington? Some officials say it will mean potential tax revenue and a boost in business for local companies, but others aren’t so sure it means much.

“They are still good neighbors, but Bristol has always been ESPN’s city,” said Art Secondo, president of the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce. “The city of Bristol helped them years ago when many thought they would never succeed, and have always been accommodating. They aren’t going to walk away now.”

The expansion plans announced last Tuesday included a groundbreaking ceremony as the company begins to extend its campus further into Bristol, but with little room to expand in Southington, Secondo said he doesn’t see the town gaining much in terms of tax base from future development.

“There’s just no space in Southington for them to expand on that side of the town line. They have room on the Bristol side,” Secondo said. “Trying to get them to develop here isn’t really a consideration.”

Southington has already benefited some from expansion, however, with the assessed property value growing by $1.2 million on the October 2010 grand list thanks to the construction of additional satellites in Southington to support growth, said Southington Economic Development Coordinator Louis Perillo.

Perillo noted that ESPN also uses Southington contractors, bringing business into town and helping local construction companies expand their base as well.

Secondo said these benefits are only temporary, however, and doesn’t anticipate that with the changing technology, there will be much growth in terms of satellites either — especially given much of the new development is for the magazine portion of the company.

Although Bristol will benefit on the tax side, it could have strong residual effects on Southington, according to Perillo and ESPN Vice President of Communications Mike Soltys.

Soltys said last week that the , located at 78 West St., is often used to house ESPN employees and visitors. He said employees also frequent West Street and Queen Street businesses.

The additional employees are only likely to increase spending in Southington as well, said Perillo, with most driving through Southington to get to and from the ESPN campus.

“About half of their employees use Exit 31 and the West Street corridor to get to work,” Perillo said. “This is about strength for the entire region. Moving the magazine here will increase property value and lead to further business for the town.”

Secondo said business owners aren’t quite as excited, however, given the loss of the employee base at The Hartford. He said while the effects are residual, they are just that — residual.

“Yeah, there may be an increase in the number of ESPN employees using local services, but it’s not going to make any major difference. ESPN has been a good neighbor, but are just that: a neighbor.”