BEACON FALLS — Two new businesses have opened their doors in the Murtha Industrial Park.
K&W Tire and UTZ Quality Foods have both moved into vacant buildings in the industrial park in the last few months. UTZ Quality Foods’ new building, which is located at building 4D and will be used as a distribution center, is approximately 19,200 square feet. K&W Tire’s new building, which is located at building 3A and will be used as a wholesale location, is approximately 32,000 square feet.
K&W Tire’s Vice President of Communications and Corporate Affairs Brandy Seyfert explained in an email that the company has locations in Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as Connecticut. The Beacon Falls site is the company’s 10th location.
The company currently distributes tires from the Canadian border to Washington, D.C.
“We opened our 10th branch, in Beacon Falls, the week of Thanksgiving as a wholesale only location. We chose Beacon Falls because of its proximity to current customers that were being serviced out of our Ayer, Mass. location. This new location also allows us to increase Cooper Tire sales in Connecticut and fill in the geographical gap we had in delivery,” Seyfert wrote.
UTZ Quality Foods makes and distributes a variety of snack foods, including potato chips and pretzels.
UTZ Quality Foods, whose headquarters are located in Hanover, Penn., has distribution centers across most the eastern United States. In addition to the Beacon Falls distribution center, UTZ has distribution centers in Franklin and East Hartford, as well as Brewster, N.Y., according to the company’s website.
A message seeking comment from company representatives was not returned as of this post.
Beacon Falls’ Economic Development Commission Chairman Jeremy Rodorigo said the companies choosing Beacon Falls shows businesses have begun to take an interest in the town.
“I think what’s happening is people are looking at Beacon Falls more closely. The town is developing a business friendly reputation,” Rodorigo said. “They give Beacon Falls a look, see we have property and space available and they come here.”
Having industrial parks, such as Murtha and the Pines Bridge Industrial Park, do more than just help attract businesses.
“Any business that comes in and brings personal property helps the tax base,” Rodorigo said. “Whether the business moves into town and builds new or rents, it helps the tax base. The employees that work at these places will buy gas and groceries in town, and eat at local restaurants. Some of the employees might be hired from the citizens.”
First Selectman Gerard Smith is also pleased to see these two businesses moving into town and extended a welcome to them in his December First Selectman’s letter.
“Corporate partners help keep Beacon Falls affordable, and we thank K&W and UTZ for choosing us. I believe we will be fine partners,” Smith wrote.
Seyfert said that K&W Tire is also pleased to be part of the Beacon Falls community.
“We are excited about this new location and are pleased to be able to add to the local economy and provide new employment opportunities to the residents,” Seyfert said.
