FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2023
Hartford, CT – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently approved the Capitol Region Council of Governments’ (CRCOG) request to be designated as an Economic Development District (EDD).
EEDs are multi-jurisdictional planning and economic development agencies designated by the EDA. EDDs coordinate the locally based, regionally driven economic development planning process involving the public, private and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic economic blueprint known as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). There are over 400 EDDs across the country that promote economic development planning and project implementation in urban, suburban, and rural regions. EDDs provide members with access to grant and loan funding opportunities, administrative and technical assistance, and data and technology resources.
“This is wonderful news for CRCOG, New Britain, and the greater Hartford Region,” said Mayor Erin Stewart, chair of CRCOG’s Policy Board. With this designation CRCOG and municipalities in the region will be better able to use EDA resources to promote innovative sustainable economic development to benefit our residents, businesses, and taxpayers.”
“CRCOG is excited to receive the EDD designation and to join the EDA’s national network,” said CRCOG’s Executive Director Matt Hart. “With the EDD we plan to focus on seeking grant and loan funding opportunities, administrative and technical assistance, as well as data and technology and other support to benefit our members. I would like to thank the EDA staff for their professional support and assistance throughout the EDD designation process.”
“I am happy to see years of hard work by the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) come to fruition. The decision of the U.S. Economic Development Administration to classify CRCOG as an Economic Development District will open opportunities for business and residents in the Fifth District and across the state,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05).
“We are thrilled to learn that the Capitol Region has been awarded the Economic Development District (EDD) designation by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This designation reflects our region’s commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity for all residents in our region, and we look forward to leveraging this recognition to drive even greater opportunities for our community,” David Griggs, MetroHartford Alliance.
CRCOG’s EDD is comprised of the municipalities of Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Manchester, Marlborough, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Southington, Suffield, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks of Hartford County, and Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Vernon, and Willington of Tolland County of the State of Connecticut.
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The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) is a voluntary Council of Government (COG) formed to initiate and implement regional programs of benefit to the towns and the region. It is guided by the chief elected officials of our 38 Metro Hartford municipalities. The mayors, first selectmen, and town council chairmen who make up our governing Policy Board recognize that our individual members’ future is tied to our region’s future. Our members have collaborated for more than 50 years on a wide range of projects to benefit our towns individually and the region. CRCOG serves the Capitol Region and all our municipalities by:
- Helping members improve governmental efficiency and save tax dollars through shared services and other direct service initiatives;
- Promoting efficient transportation systems, responsible land use and preservation of land and natural resources and effective economic development;
- Strengthening the Capitol City of Hartford as the core of a strong region, and as our economic, social, and cultural center;
- Advocating for the region and its towns with the State and Federal governments;
- Strengthening our regional community by helping coordinate regional agencies and programs;
- And assisting local governments and citizens in articulating, advocating, and implementing their regional community’s vision, needs, and values.
