WETHERSFIELD - Five Wethersfield businesses headlined a State of the Town breakfast that stressed the pursuit of economic development and the consequential growth of the Grand List as the primary means for property tax relief.

       Mayor Paul Montinieri reflected on the past two years’ activity in that regard--the influx of around 60 new businesses--while handing the floor over to Kathy’s Urgent Care; William Raveis Real Estate; Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre; Connecticut Ear, Nose and Throat; and the Putnam Park office complex.

       â€�"We’ve focused on continuing to keep Wethersfield vital by bringing in new businesses,” Montinieri said. â€�"When we have success, I think it’s important to look back on the successes, and also give businesses a chance to share why they were successful.”

       Business owners praised town staff and elected officials for their recruitment and permitting process, but stressed location, particularly the Silas Deane Highway, which brings them increased visibility.

       The increased visibility has helped Connecticut Ear, Nose and Throat, which started out in a 3,700-square foot office on the Hartford Hospital campus, said owner Toni Robinson.

       â€�"That’s been the biggest benefit for us,” Robinson said.

       But more space is helping as well, she said.

       â€�"We’d see patients on a busy day and literally not have a place in the waiting room to seat them all,” Robinson said. â€�"Then there was the parking nightmare.”

       William Raveis Real Estate’s first Wethersfield office opened in 2005 at 1,500 square feet. They had five agents back then, according to Annie Dillon.

       â€�"We not only thrived, but outgrew our office,” Dillon said.

       So they expanded, taking on a 3,200 square foot space in town, enough room for their 50 real estate agents.

       Meanwhile, Julia Koulouris and Heirloom Market recently moved into a 10,000 square foot building on Main Street in Old Wethersfield and are planning for a May Grand Opening.

       At the Putnam Park office lot, plans for a 400-seat restaurant, complete with 2,000 square foot deck, are currently in the works.

       â€�"There are dozens of businesses that have come into town over the past few years, and we’re not going to stop,” Montinieri said. â€�"There’s nothing more important in terms of tax relief, then to grow the Grand List.”

       Wethersfield has seen 33 new businesses open over the past year, according to Economic Development Director Peter Gillispie. Twenty-eight came to town the previous year, he said.

       He compared that to the 20 per year average the town had five years ago.

       â€�"This is a testament to all of the activity in this area,” Gillispie said.