Community & Economic Development
The Northwest Hills COG boundary doubles as a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated Economic Development District (EDD). As an EDD, we help lead a locally-based, regionally driven economic development planning process that leverages the involvement of the public, private, and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a strategy-driven blueprint that guides economic prosperity and resiliency in the region.
2024-2029 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Northwest Connecticut:
The current CEDS was developed through extensive public outreach efforts and a strategic planning process that was led by the Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Collaborative (EDC). The EDC is comprised of members having a broad-based representation of regional stakeholders.
The five core focus areas of the CEDS are:
Addressing the housing needs of the region
Encourage business growth and expansion
Support workforce development that aligns with the needs of the regional business sectors
Increase tourism in the region and
Strengthen the Creative Economy.
Find more information about the Economic Development Collaborative Committee, here.
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The Northwest Hills COG staff and members of the EDC work collaboratively to implement the tasks identified in the CEDS to achieve these goals.
The CEDS was developed in partnership with the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Hills Council of Governments and funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Other economic development links:
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Northwest CT Chapter of SCORE’s “Starting a Small Business in Northwest Connecticut: A Basic Guide“
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Northwestern Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative’s Village Center Vitality Current Conditions Report (2010) and Strategies Report (2010)
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Economic Development Districts | U.S. Economic Development Administration (eda.gov)