A decade ago, Business in Focus identified Torrington as a city on the verge of change. Today, that potential has been fulfilled, largely thanks to Mayor Elinor Carbone’s leadership. During her 12-year tenure, Mayor Carbone has steered Torrington through significant transformation—focusing on growth in housing, redevelopment, and culture, while maintaining the city’s character and community spirit. Her talent for bringing stakeholders together, encouraging investment, and promoting transparency has paved the way for a new period of resilience and opportunity.
What started as the revitalization of key properties has evolved into a comprehensive movement promoting inclusive growth, cultural vibrancy, and economic renewal. At the core of this story is a decade of steady progress driven by Carbone’s vision, where Torrington’s proud heritage continues to embrace a bold future. Today, with the ongoing efforts of the city’s leaders, Torrington stands as a model of how purposeful leadership can transform a community from within.
Once known mainly for its manufacturing strength, Torrington has spent the last decade transforming itself under Mayor Carbone’s leadership—integrating strategic redevelopment, inclusive housing, cultural investment, and innovative planning into a unified approach. That foundation now guides the city’s next chapter. Building on the momentum she created, William Wallach, the Director of Economic Development, is helping steer Torrington toward a future grounded in opportunity, renewal, and community pride.
“Each of these projects tells a story of where Torrington has been and where it’s headed,” Wallach explains. “We’re not just redeveloping properties; we’re renewing neighborhoods, reconnecting community assets, and preparing for the next generation of growth.”
Torrington’s transformation isn’t confined to aesthetics or infrastructure. It’s a comprehensive evolution, one grounded in listening, learning, and acting in alignment with community values. Under Wallach’s leadership, the city has embraced a development model centered on purpose and partnership.
One of Torrington’s most prominent efforts is the redevelopment of several key brownfield and former industrial sites. These underutilized properties are being reimagined through an environmental and economic lens, unlocking opportunities that reflect both the city’s industrial past and its aspirations for the future. At 70 North Street, a long-vacant commercial lot in the heart of downtown is undergoing environmental cleanup to make way for a mixed-use development. Its prime location, just steps from the Warner Theatre, Five Points Gallery, and local restaurants, means the site is uniquely positioned to anchor the city’s walkable urban core.
“It’s about more than cleaning up soil or putting up new walls,” Wallach says. “It’s about activating downtown, adding housing and retail, and bringing people together.”
Across town, 535 Migeon Avenue, once a bustling manufacturing facility, is being reimagined to accommodate new light industrial and business tenants. The redevelopment aligns with Torrington’s economic strategy to create jobs in future-forward sectors while honoring its industrial legacy. By bringing new energy to a historically significant property, the city is both preserving its roots and preparing for modern workforce demands.
And at 100 Franklin Drive, a former brownfield site near residential neighborhoods and shopping areas, Torrington has partnered with the New Colony Development Corporation and certified Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank to secure funding and technical expertise for environmental assessment and reuse. This project exemplifies how smart remediation, when paired with regional collaboration, can turn a liability into an asset.
“Torrington isn’t redeveloping for the sake of appearances,” Wallach emphasizes. “We’re doing it to open doors, literally and figuratively for residents, workers, and businesses.” These projects are part of a broader planning strategy that spans years of coordinated effort between city departments, regional organizations, and state agencies. “None of this happens overnight,” he explains. “What we’re seeing now is the result of patient, data-driven planning and a commitment to getting things right, not just fast.”
Torrington’s success lies in its approach. Rather than chasing short-term wins, city leaders have embraced a holistic development strategy. This means evaluating projects not only on economic merit but also on their potential to contribute to quality of life, cultural vibrancy, and long-term resilience. This intentionality is embedded in the city’s planning documents and economic development goals, wherein public engagement, environmental impact, and alignment with community needs are all key considerations for breaking ground on any new development.
The city is also making smart use of state and federal grant opportunities. From brownfield assessment funds to infrastructure investment, Torrington has positioned itself to capitalize on resources that support sustainable growth. By leveraging these opportunities, officials are able to move complex projects forward without placing undue burden on taxpayers.
“Our planning isn’t just happening in an office; it’s happening in collaboration with the people who live and work here,” Wallach shares. “That feedback loop is essential. Residents want to see action, but they also want to know that we’re listening.”
As investment pours into the physical infrastructure of Torrington, the benefits are being felt across the community. Residents and newcomers alike are drawn to the city’s affordability, accessibility, and authenticity. Unlike other Connecticut communities facing rising housing costs and overdevelopment, Torrington offers a balanced and welcoming alternative. Housing in Torrington remains relatively attainable, with a mix of historic homes, suburban neighborhoods, and emerging developments. This diversity allows for generational stability; young professionals can start families here and older residents can downsize without leaving the community they’ve known for decades.
Just as important is the city’s strong sense of place. It’s a walkable community where small businesses thrive, neighbors know one another, and the pace of life feels both energized and manageable. Schools are supported, civic organizations are active, and the surrounding natural beauty, from the Litchfield Hills to nearby state parks, adds to the city’s charm. “We’re seeing more and more people choose Torrington not just because it’s affordable, but because it offers real quality of life,” Wallach says. “They’re looking for a place that feels rooted, where their kids can walk to school or a park, where there’s a real sense of community. We provide that.”
Indeed, culture is not an afterthought in Torrington; it’s a driving force, as the second Cultural District recognized by the State of Connecticut in 2022. The city has long been home to creative institutions that set it apart from other mid-sized towns. The Warner Theatre, a beautifully restored 1931 Art Deco landmark, anchors the downtown arts scene and hosts performances ranging from Broadway productions to independent concerts and local events.
Nearby, Five Points Gallery and the Five Points Arts Center offer exhibitions and programming that attract artists and audiences from across the region. These institutions are more than just venues; they’re engines of community connection and economic vitality. Art walks, open studios, and gallery nights bring life to the streets, while education programs ensure the next generation of creatives is nurtured. “Arts and culture are more than just add-ons; they’re central to who we are,” Wallach affirms. Torrington’s cultural calendar is filled with programming that celebrates both tradition and innovation, offering something for longtime residents and newcomers alike.
This commitment is paying off, and Torrington has cultivated a cultural reputation that continues to grow, inviting tourists, residents, and business owners to engage with a city that values creativity and community. It also influences the city’s planning process, as developers and city officials work together to preserve cultural landmarks and integrate public art into infrastructure and design.
The convergence of redevelopment, housing stability, and cultural investment points toward a bright future for Torrington. But for Wallach and the city’s leadership team, success is defined not by splashy headlines, but by the day-to-day improvements that make life better for residents. This includes small but meaningful upgrades like improving crosswalks for pedestrian safety, investing in green spaces, modernizing infrastructure, and supporting workforce training programs. The city’s partnership with the Northwest Hills Council of Governments is one example of how collaboration can turn regional challenges into shared opportunities. Torrington’s efforts in this regard not only improve the built environment but strengthen the regional economy.
The city is also nurturing a startup-friendly ecosystem that welcomes entrepreneurs and local businesses. With available commercial space, business support services, and a community eager to shop locally, Torrington has become a viable home base for new ventures. Its location, centrally positioned between Hartford, Waterbury, and the Berkshires, adds to its appeal for remote workers and small companies looking for quality of life without sacrificing opportunity.
Torrington’s revitalization, not only physical, but also cultural and economic, is deeply personal for those who call the city home. Residents are increasingly recognizing the value of living in a place where redevelopment projects are tied to thoughtful planning and genuine community benefit. “There’s a pride here in how we’re evolving,” Wallach tells us. “It’s not about making Torrington into something it’s not. It’s about becoming more of what we already are: authentic, accessible, and ambitious.”
That authenticity is one of the city’s greatest strengths. Unlike many communities that face the pressures of rapid gentrification, Torrington has chosen a path of inclusive growth. Housing remains relatively affordable even as demand increases, and the city’s leaders are committed to maintaining a balance between residential expansion and neighborhood character. Local artists and entrepreneurs are empowered by a city that values creativity as much as commerce, and that support radiates outward into schools, public spaces, and civic events.
It is a reciprocal relationship in which Torrington’s ability to adapt stems from the dedication of its residents. Whether lifelong locals or newcomers discovering the city’s charm for the first time, there’s a shared sense of possibility. “People who grew up here still carry the scars of industrial loss,” Wallach acknowledges. “But those moving here from outside see Torrington with fresh eyes. They recognize its beauty, its potential, and they bring an infectious optimism with them.” It’s a dynamic that fuels reinvestment and renewal. From new retail and dining offerings to annual festivals and car shows, Torrington continues to make space for tradition and transformation.
Leadership has fueled Torrington’s resurgence. As Mayor Elinor Carbone wraps up her 12-year tenure this fall, her vision and perseverance remain the common thread throughout every achievement. “Everything we’ve talked about—redevelopment, housing, arts, workforce—it’s all thanks to Mayor Carbone’s leadership and her ability to bring in the right people with the passion to follow through.”
Torrington’s path forward is guided not just by plans but by purpose, a clear, collective vision to build a resilient and welcoming city for all. Through consistent leadership, regional cooperation, and a fierce commitment to community values, Torrington is proving what is possible when economic development is undertaken thoughtfully. It’s a city grounded in its past but with its eyes firmly on the future, where redevelopment isn’t just a change in the skyline, but a reflection of the values that make a community thrive.
