Vaccaro: It's All About East of the River Jobs

TicketNetwork CEO Donald Vaccaro said it once last week.

Then, he said it again.

Whether he is in South Windsor or Vernon, it is about about jobs.

East of the River Jobs.

The governor thought so much about keeping the ticket exchange house in the state that he is making it a poster child for his new "First Five'' economic development plan - and either giving or lending the company $7.75 million - some of it in hiring incentives.

It has more than 300 employees now and expects to keep growing, Vaccaro said.

Vaccaro in late May announced he was leaving his current headquarters at 137 Bolton Rd. in Vernon and moving to the sprawling campus off Kelly Road just over the South Windsor line.

The reaction has been mixed. Some say Vaccaro could have expanded in Vernon. Others - including some Vernon officials - will say, at least privately, that the lines of communication were clogged and Vaccaro had no choice - because of frustration.

Others say he could not pass up an opportunity to acquire a property like that.

But last week at the grand opening, amid the Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the other dignitaries, Vaccaro mentioned it, but quickly dismissed it.

Staying put, he said, was always the first priority so his employees, whether living in Vernon, Manchester, South Windsor or wherever east of the Connecticut River, did not have to move.

He said several state courted his business, including North Carolina.

''Our employees are from here. They want to work here and now they can stay here,'' Vaccaro said.

State Rep. Tim Ackert said it is thus an  good end result.

My main concern was seeing these jobs stay in Connecticut,'' he said. "It's important to keep these employees here.''

Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy said he is disappointed the business is leaving town, but it is so close to the line that employees will continue to do their shopping in Vernon.

"They will eat here, they will shop here, so economically, we will still see those benefits,'' McCoy said. "TicketNetwork employees will go to our restaurants and go to our stores to pick things up. Keeping the jobs in the area is key.''

There is still the matter the Bolton Road building, which Vaccaro has vowed to help market the property.

"I will do whatever I can,'' Vaccaro said. "I want to see a good tenant for that building.''

Vaccaro said he has had talks already about leasing or a purchase.  

He also said it could wind up as a corporate headquarters, something McCoy also hinted at. The building is right off exit 66 on Interstate-84.

''There are a lot of possibilities for the building,'' Vaccaro said. ''It's a good location and we will find a good tenant.''

The building should be totally vacant by Oct. 1, Vaccaro said.