Waterbury, CT

Long known for its history of being the center of brass making in the country, Waterbury is now the fifth-largest city in Connecticut, with a population of nearly 108,000. The brass manufacturing industry has since left the city, leaving the west-central Connecticut town struggling to restructure its economy. Manufacturing and distribution remain a strong part of the blue-collar town, but Waterbury has diversified its industry by becoming an attractive place for corporations to set up their headquarters. Tourism and retail also contribute to the city's economy, as downtown Waterbury serves as the primary urban center in what is known as the Central Naugatuck Valley Region.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Waterbury continues to be a center of manufacturing, in spite of the collapse of the brass industry. In addition, Waterbury's favorable proximity to interstate highways and low real estate prices has turned the city into a major Northeast distribution and warehouse center. There has been an effort to convert the unused freight yards and abandoned factories into office spaces and apartment buildings.

Low real estate prices and encouraging laws have brought a significant number of white-collar jobs into the city. Companies that are located in Waterbury include Webster Financial Corp, which is the holding company for Webster Bank, having 180 locations throughout New England. Founded in 1935, the company offers investment advisory, small business and government lending, as well as a number of other services.

QScend Technologies Inc., is a Web-based software company, known as a leader in its industry, publishes software designed to help municipalities to better serve their residents.

Other Waterbury companies include Les-Care Kitchens, Hubbard-Hall, Inc., American Bank of Connecticut, Voltarc Technologies Inc., and Waterbury Companies Inc. Financial service and banking industries have experienced a boom in Waterbury, along with chemical research.

Educational and health services being the biggest employer industries, followed by trade, transportation, utilities and manufacturing.

FOR VISITORS

• Union Station Clock Tower: The 240-foot clock tower was modeled after a similar building in Siena, Italy, and is now the home of the Waterbury-Republican American Newspaper. Directly next to the tower is a Metro-North railroad station. The most recognizable landmark in Waterbury, the almost century-old tower is fashioned with a number of Italian features, including the clock face's Roman numerals and a group of wolf-like gargoyles representing the myth of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.
• Soldiers' Monument: The bronze sculpture commemorating the Civil War is located on the west side of The Green and was sculpted by former Waterbury resident George C. Bissell. Cast in Paris, the monument depicts Civil War scenes in statue form at its base and atop the monument stands a Goddess in a flowing dress representing Liberty.
• Brass Mill Center: The shopping center located near the center of Waterbury has 125 retail stores, a 12-screen movie theatre, and five restaurants to choose from.
• The Apothecary Building: The building in the center of Exchange Place, on the intersection of South Main and Bank Streets, is where most of the city's business was once located.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Mattatuck Museum Art and History Center: This is the only art museum in the state that solely displays the work of Connecticut artists, with many works depicting the historical town and its surrounding areas.
• Palace Theater: The classic theater opened in 1922 and was a movie house/Vaudeville theater until it was closed in 1987. After an effort to renovate the theater arose, the Palace reopened in 2004.
• Seven Angels Theater: Waterbury's own professional regional theater, the Seven Angels Theater puts on 200 shows a year and staged over 80 professional productions. Founded by seven benefactors (hence the name) in 1990, the theater draws audiences from up to a 90-mile radius.

EDUCATION

• Post University: The small university has bachelor's degree programs in various subjects as well as an MBA program and a Master of Science program. The school has a strong Co-Op program where students have the opportunity to obtain real world experience while earning class credit. The school competes in a number of Division II NCAA sports including men's and women's soccer, baseball, and swimming.
• University of Connecticut Waterbury Campus: Offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 1,000 students annually.
• Naugatuck Valley Community College: This two-year community college offers associate degrees, certificates, and an array of continuing education courses.

LOCAL MEDIA

• Waterbury Republican-American
• Waterbury Examiner

• WZMX 93.7 Hip Hop/&
• WRKI 95.1 Classic Rock
• WRCH 100.5 Soft Rock
• WZBG 97.3 Country

• WWCO 1240 Talk Radio
• WAVZ 1300 Progressive Talk
• WPOP 1410 ESPN Radio
• WFIF 1500 Religious