Masonry construction, restoration firms break ground in Middletown Words: Matthew AdamsMayor Daniel T. Drew held a groundbreaking ceremony July 29 to welcome two new businesses to town. The event marked the start of construction for the new headquarters site for Armani Restoration and Connecticut Mason Contractors, now located on Bysiewicz Drive. Both companies are relocating their headquarters to Middletown and expanding their operations here, according to a release from the mayor’s office. Their presence in the city highlights the growing importance of this location as the “Connecticut Construction Cluster” for state and regional companies working in and with the industry, Drew’s statement reads. Each specialize in areas of masonry construction and masonry restoration for clients throughout New England and New York. Along with Drew and other local officials, leadership from Armani Restoration and Connecticut Mason Contractors and members of The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce joined guests at the grand opening. “With the commitment to Middletown by Armani Restoration and Connecticut Mason Contractors, we are continuing to grow our foot-print as the key geographic location for the construction industry in our state,” Drew said in the release. Councilman Gerry Daley is chairman of the Economic Development Commission. “I want to thank former state Sen. Billy Ciotto for referring them to the city for help in finding a location that met their expansion needs,” Daley said in the release. Thirty jobs are relocating to the city as a result, as well as an expected 170 contractor jobs to be based here during the construction season, officials said. Also, $28,115 is expected annually in tax revenue from these two businesses after the four-year partial tax abatement, according to the release.