Timpanelli sees transportation as state's number one problem

BRBC leader also call for end to corporate income tax

By ROB SULLIVAN As the President and CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Bridgeport Council (BRBC), Paul Timpanelli can look out at the magisterial view from his 14th story office located at 10 Middle Street in downtown Bridgeport and see all types of transportation: the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Ferry and Metro North Railroad, along with any number of cars and buses. Unfortunately, he also sees a big mess when he peers through the glass. “Transportation is probably our biggest problem both in the short and long term,” said Timpanelli. “The problem affects businesses as people have difficulty in getting to work and it directly impacts our ability to generate more economic activity in this region.” The BRBC includes the Bridgeport, Stratford and Trumbull Chambers of Commerce and also serves the communities of Fairfield, Monroe, Easton and Shelton. Timpanelli explained the BRBC has a fluid strategic plan that supports a collective mission to create opportunities for business growth in the Greater Bridgeport Region. Its mission is to increase economic opportunities for the region by acting to create an environment for business expansion, retention, and recruitment that will result in tax base growth and jobs growth. That mission is hampered when the mechanism of getting people to work and goods and commodities to the businesses that need them is in severe disrepair. “Our transportation problems in this state, and particularly in Fairfield County, are a significant detriment to our goals here,” said Timpanelli, a Trumbull resident and former First Selectman of that town. “This situation affects so many areas; internal county connectivity, parking tome of transit – you name it.” Local residents who have been stuck in seemingly endless delays on I-95 and the Merritt Parkway, not to mention a few other local thoroughfares, know that there are many residents who do not even consider public transportation as a travel option. Timpanelli himself has been guilty of this. “I had a meeting in Hartford recently and it was being held at Union Station, I mean right at the train station,” recalled Timpanelli. “One of my colleagues called and asked, ‘What train are you taking?’. I was absolutely flabbergasted. I hadn’t even thought of taking the train.” One of the reasons he believes Connecticut resident do not consider public transportation as an option – if they consider it at all – is the lack of connectivity. “The state needs to think outside the box on this issue,” said Timpanelli. “This whole aspect of connectivity is vitally important. Our highways, trains, buses, ferries are not connected. They all operate independently. We need to devise a way that they mesh together. In other parts of the world the transportation systems are so efficient. We need to give a lot of thought to our state-wide infrastructure.” The BRBC head is a big fan of thinking outside the box and he would like to float an idea that while not directly involved with the state infrastructure will certainly open some eyes. His idea? Eliminating the state corporate income tax. “Why not give it a try for a year or two?” asked Timpanelli. “Eliminating the tax would be creative and bold. It would be a tremendous way to stimulate job growth and send a clear message that we want companies to do business in Connecticut.” Ending the corporate tax in the Nutmeg State would indeed be thinking outside the box, but would such an idea be successful? “Why not try it out and see,” he said.          

Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.