Milford Now: Milford’s #1 in the state in ….

MILFORD — Milford is #1 in the state when it comes to having the most shopping malls along with the overall size of its retail centers, a top economic official said.

“For the past few years we’ve gone back and forth with Danbury, but we are number 1 again,” said Robert Kapusta, who is chairman of the city’s economic development commission.

Kapusta made his announcement during an economic forum held at City Hall on Wednesday. About 30 people attended the meeting.

Kapusta said the fact Milford is number one in the overall size of its retail centers is a strong indicator of the city’s fiscal health. Milford has several malls led by the city’s largest taxpayer Westfield Connecticut Post mall and its 1.1 million square feet of retail. Across the street from Westfield’s mall is another mall anchored by Wal-Mart.

Down the Post Road is Milford Marketplace anchored by Whole Foods and on Old Gate Lane there is a Lowe’s Home Improve Store and Hilton Gardens hotel.

“This is another example where Milford’s economic development succeeds,” Kapusta said.

Kapusta said the key to the city’s economic development success is the fact the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission, Mayor Ben Blake, and Milford Progress Inc. all work so well together.

He said the downtown has been transformed by redevelopments along the Harbor and Green. He said the area has gone from feeling “lazy” and “unproductive” to a vibrant community.

“It’s been a dynamic change,” Kapusta said.

He said the downtown upgrades have resulted in a $100,000 assessment increase on downtown properties.

Blake said Milford succeeds from an economic standpoint because of its great location, closeness to Interstate 95, long coastline, beautiful Green, train station and harbor. Blake said Milford possesses a highly skilled workforce and a community that embraces economic development.

*At the economic forum led by Connecticut Economic Resource Center officials it was revealed that Milford’s tax rate is comparable to Trumbull, West Haven and Woodbridge.

*Milford’s long-term debt is 10 percent higher than the average New Haven County community, while the city’s grand list is in the “healthy middle,” according to Robert Santy, president of CERC.

*A majority of the city’s population is in their mid-40s and over the age of 65, while the city ranks low when compared to other communities in the state with children under the age of 19.

*Milford has a high homeownership rate as opposed to rental units.

*Milford’s percentage of affordable housing, which is 6 percent is considered well below the New Haven County average of 12 percent.