It’s hard not to view the recent news about the Connecticut Lottery Corp. as anything but a great win for Wallingford. The planned relocation to 15 Sterling Drive highlights the advantages of the town, and of course it will bring in advantages of its own, as in an expected $9 million in renovations to turn the former warehouse and industrial area into lottery headquarters.

As the Record-Journal recently reported, more details are going to have to wait. The plan is for a move in August. 

But the site in Wallingford appears to have many advantages. Lottery spokesman Christopher Davis told the R-J those include easy highway access and room to grow. Operations in Rocky Hill are now spread around four sites.

There is also Wallingford’s Electric Division, which means a big advantage when it comes to lower costs. The search for a new lottery home involved 15 sites in central Connecticut. The 10-year lease was signed last fall.

“We’re please that active commercial space is filled,” said Wallingford Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. “And employees will be coming in. It’s a good sign of economic vitality. I’m not sure what their criteria was but I’m pleased we came out on top.”

Other town officials were also enthusiastic. “Any new industry is welcome and we love to see that building filled and it’s a boost to the downtown business community,” said Joseph Mirra, chairman of the Economic Development Commission. “They’re going to be a good neighbor.”

The R-J story listed other benefits: 140 employees and $1.6 billion in 2022 operating revenue. The lottery, as the story noted, has also “experienced growth after launching online and retail sports betting operations in 2021, according to NewHavenBiz.com.”

Being selected among so many other potential locations is a good sign for Wallingford. There’s reason to be pleased with the boost it’s expected to provide.