STAMFORD, CONN. – President Barack Obama visited the offices of Eastern Land Management Oct. 23, 2009 while on his first trip to Connecticut since taking office. Traveling with Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd, President Obama met with company president Bruce T. Moore, Sr., and other employees of the Stamford business before proceeding to a local fundraiser.

In an effort to purchase land for a new Stamford headquarters, Eastern Land Management recently obtained a loan through the Small Business Administration. Regarding the loan, President Obama remarked, “The nice thing is, you come to a business like this, and you see what we’re doing actually making a difference.”

Moore expanded on this theme, remarking that he sees ELM’s expansion as a benefit to the Stamford economy. “It’s stimulus in its most basic form,” he said. “We’ll be using local contractors and local labor throughout the entire process. This will allow other businesses to feel the ‘ripple effect’ of this economic boost.”

During the visit, Moore gave Obama and Dodd a tour of the garage and discussed the 33-year old landscaping company, which employs about 60 people. “Although the visit lasted a few minutes, it was a wonderful experience for all of us,” said Moore, who adds that he will share photos of the event when they are made available by the White House. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to escort the President of the United States through our shop and introduce him to my family and employees,” Moore added. “Our entire team was honored to be chosen for this visit.”