Author: Walter Hewitt

Connecticut’s Economic Development Week will offer education along with highlighting business & organizations dedicated to Connecticut’s economic growth

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

Join seCTer, your Economic Development District (EDD), along with partners across the State for a week of activities celebrating Connecticut’s Economic Development Week, set for May 10-14, 2021. 

Monday, May 10th 11:00am
Economic Development Week Kick-Off: Swift Factory Tour Governor Ned Lamont, DECD Commissioner David Lehman and other state and local officials will kick-off Economic Development Week and tour the recently redeveloped Swift Factory in Hartford. Once a vacant and blighted property, Swift has been transformed into an 80,000 square foot commercial and community campus that is an engine for job growth. 

Tuesday, May 11th10:00 to 11:00 am

CT Main Street Center presents Vacant Properties Strategies: Turning the Lights Back On Presenter: Donald J. Poland, PhD, AICP, Managing Director, Planning & Strategy, Goman + York Vacant properties are often functionally obsolete – and you need the right tools to fix the problem. Donald Poland will examine the complex reasons why properties are unused, the critical importance of market alignment and expanding your toolbox with dreams & visions, master plans, zoning & code correction, parking strategies, and historic preservation tools to bring vacant buildings back to life in your community.    This webinar is fully-subscribed but will be recorded and available for view HERE.

Wednesday, May 12th10:00 to 11:00amHEDCO Inc. presents How to Thrive in a Pandemic: Profiles of Business Success Whereas the global pandemic has wreaked havoc on the small business community as a whole, some companies have managed to adjust, adapt, and find ways to thrive during these challenging times. This webinar will allow participants to gain knowledge and seek wisdom, benefiting from the practices and strategies of our featured speakers. Join us as we share lessons from a panel of business owners who are beating the odds to enjoy varying levels of success. Whether by creating an uptick in demand, modifying one’s marketing approach, finding creative ways to reach new and service existing customers and/or by adjusting product offerings, this discussion will serve as a proverbial light unto your pathway! Click here to register for this presentation.

Thursday, May 13th10:00 to 11:00am
seCTer presents the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI)Presenters: Mark Hill, President/CEO Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board Andrew Bond, Vice President of Human Resources General Dynamics Electric Boat Chris Jewell, FCO/Principal Collins & Jewell, President Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance. Learn about the nationally-recognized Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative that has successfully upskilled and placed over 1,400 clients into manufacturing careers. This employer-driven program involves dozens of partners working together to ensure that our region can fill the hundreds of manufacturing jobs being created annually by the defense industry led by General Dynamics Electric Boat. In essence, the MPI has become the recruiting arm of the manufacturing supply chain in southeastern CT and is now being replicated across the state and beyond. Click here to register for this presentation.

Friday, May 14th10:00 to 11:00am
Connecticut Innovations/CTNext presents Technology Businesses: How Startups Succeed in Connecticut Moderator: Sean Teehan, Hartford Business Journal Panelists: Janoye Williams, President, Junity Shay Cantner, Founder, Engagement Solutions Jessica Bailey, Founder, Greenworks Lending Reza Amin, Founder, Bastion Health A panel of three successful CT entrepreneurs answer questions about making it in our state, recently ranked the #4 most innovative in the nation. How does a tech startup succeed in Connecticut? What makes our state a good place to launch a business? What kind of help/resources are available? What obstacles arise and how did you overcome them? If you’re a startup, considering the possibility of starting a business, or work in a field with startups, this “can’t-miss” one-hour discussion will be invaluable. Click here to register for this presentation.
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Webinar: Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative

Posted on by Walter Hewitt
  Join us for a webinar about the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI)





Thursday, May 13th
10:00am to 11:00am

Presenters:

·    Mark Hill, President/CEO Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board
·    Andrew Bond, Vice President of Human Resources General Dynamics Electric Boat
·    Chris Jewell, FCO/Principal Collins & Jewell, President Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance

Learn about the nationally-recognized Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative that has successfully upskilled and placed over 1,400 clients into manufacturing careers. This employer-driven program involves dozens of partners working together to ensure that our region can fill the hundreds of manufacturing jobs being created annually by the defense industry led by General Dynamics Electric Boat. In essence, the MPI has become the recruiting arm of the manufacturing supply chain in southeastern CT and is now being replicated across the state and beyond.

Click here to register for this presentation.
 

U.S. Economic Development Administration Unveils Updated Investment Priorities

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced that it has updated its investment priorities.
EDA’s investment priorities provide an overarching framework to ensure that our investment portfolio – ranging from planning to infrastructure construction – contributes to local efforts to build, improve, or better leverage economic assets that allow businesses to succeed and regional economies to prosper and become more resilient.
The updated investment priorities support the U.S. Commerce Department’s agenda, which is driven by four pillars to increase American competitiveness:

  1. Revitalizing U.S. manufacturing and developing advanced industries
  2. Building a 21st century workforce
  3. Maintaining leadership in global innovation
  4. Promoting American businesses, at home and abroad.

Notably, ‘Equity’ has been added to the top of the investment priority list. EDA is committed to working with populations and underserved communities that have been denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic prosperity in the past.

Understanding that innovation is the backbone of our economy and that we must invest to grow the businesses of the future, including those that address climate change, Technology-based economic development and Environmentally-Sustainable Development have been added as priorities. And, coal and power plant communities are specifically addressed under the Recovery & Resiliency priority.
EDA’s commitment to supporting strategies that advance workforce development, manufacturing, and export/foreign direct investment strategies remains unwavering.

EDA’s updated investment priorities are:

  1. Equity: Economic development planning or implementation projects that advance equity across America through investments that directly benefit 1) one or more traditionally underserved populations, including but not limited to women, Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders or 2) underserved communities within geographies that have been systemically and/or systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic prosperity such as Tribal Lands, Persistent Poverty Counties, and rural areas with demonstrated, historical underservice. For more information on these populations and geographies see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/.
  2. Recovery & Resilience: Economic development planning or implementation projects that build economic resilience to and long-term recovery from economic shocks, like those experienced by coal and power plant communities, or other communities impacted by the decline of an important industry or a natural disaster, that may benefit from economic diversification-focused resilience.
  3. Workforce Development: Economic development planning or implementation projects that support workforce education and skills training activities directly connected to the hiring and skills needs of the business community and that result in well-paying, quality jobs.
  4. Manufacturing: Economic development planning or implementation projects that encourage job creation, business expansion, technology and capital upgrades, and productivity growth in manufacturing, including efforts that contribute to the competitiveness and growth of domestic suppliers or to the domestic production of innovative, high-value products and production technologies.
  5. Technology-Based Economic Development: Economic development planning or implementation projects that foster regional knowledge ecosystems that support entrepreneurs and startups, including the commercialization of new technologies, that are creating technology-driven businesses and high-skilled, well-paying jobs of the future.
  6. Environmentally-Sustainable Development: Economic development planning or implementation projects that help address the climate crisis including through the development and implementation of green products, processes (including green infrastructure), places, and buildings.
  7. Exports & FDI: Economic development planning or implementation projects that enhance or build community assets to support growth in US exports or increased foreign direct investment.

EDA plays a vital role in advancing the mission of the Commerce Department by supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity.
These updated investment priorities will allow us to focus our efforts to ensure that American communities are in position to remain competitive on the global stage.

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For more information, please contact seCTer, your regional partner for assistance with EDA projects at secter@secter.org.

Striking the Right Balance between Land Use and Economic Development

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

AdvanceCT presented on the topic of “Striking the Right Balance between Land Use and Economic Development” with our partners at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) and the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS). I want to follow up with the recording and slide deck from the presentation in an effort to help you think through this issue in your community.

As you know, land use regulations or processes can facilitate or impede certain proposed development projects. Economic development and planning/land use functions can seem collaborative or out of sync depending on a community’s approach to them, and this is an even more challenging balance to achieve when one Town Hall staff person is dedicated to filling both roles. However, communities must remember that these are the same land use regulations and processes supported by the broader community through municipal elections and budget approvals and that business-friendly does not mean “no regulations”. I encourage you to think about whether your community is balanced and follow up with AdvanceCT to discuss further.

I also want to highlight the Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development Program which was created through a partnership between CEDAS and the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association. This accreditation program is a free tool you can utilize to implement actions toward achieving this balance. Further, CEDAS has created a library highlighting case studies from communities in Connecticut that have implemented some of these best practices.

Feel free to reach out to discuss this topic further.

SBA Prioritizes Smallest of Small Businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program

Posted on by Walter Hewitt
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the latest round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opened last month has already succeeded in making major improvements to the program’s implementation:

  • For businesses with fewer than ten employees, the share of funding is up nearly 60%
  • For businesses in rural communities, the share of funding is up nearly 30%
  • The share of funding distributed through Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions is up more than 40%

“The SBA is a frontline agency working to create an inclusive economy, focused on reaching women-owned, minority-owned, low- and moderate-income, rural, and other underserved communities in meaningful ways. While reported data illustrates we have made real strides in ensuring these funds are reaching underserved communities, we believe we can still do better,” says SBA Senior Advisor Michael Roth. “The important policy changes we are announcing further ensure inclusivity and integrity by increasing access and much-needed aid to Main Street businesses that anchor our neighborhoods and help families build wealth.”

The SBA will:

  • Establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees
  • Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants
  • Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal
  • Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make federal student loan payments by eliminating federal student loan debt delinquency and default as disqualifiers to participating in the PPP; and
  • Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.

The 14-day exclusivity period will start on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9 a.m., while the other four changes will be implemented by the first week of March. The SBA is working on the program changes and will communicate details throughout this week.

These actions will help to lay the foundation for a robust and equitable recovery for small businesses across the country. Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce; they create 2 out of 3 net new private-sector jobs; they reinvest 68% of revenues to build and sustain communities. Borrowers can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program by downloading the First Draw PPP loan application or Second Draw PPP loan application and working with a participating PPP lender through the SBA Lender Match tool.

Through SBA’s nationwide district offices, the Agency will work in close partnership with the Administration to further leverage its resource partner network and expand on multilingual access and outreach about the PPP. Updated PPP information, including forms, guidance, and resources is available at www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.

Thanks to Rep. Mike France (Mike.France@housegop.ct.gov)

Webinar: Introduction to New London Foreign Trade Zone

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

Now covering all of New London County!

Introduction to Foreign Trade Zone # 208, New London, CT 
This webinar will provide an overview of the benefits and features of the Foreign Trade Zone program, which has recently received federal approval to include sites in all of NL County. This is geared towards businesses, municipal leaders, economic development officials, and real estate professionals.
Thanks to the City of New London and the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region!

Wednesday, Feb 24, 2021 10:00 AM 

Here you will find links to a recording of the webinar, slide deck and the info graphic shown at the end of the presentation.

More information about the Foreign Trade Zone can be found on the City of New London website.

With any other follow up questions, please contact Tom Bombria, New London Community & Economic Development Project Coordinator at 860-437-6346 and tbombria@newlondonct.org.

 

Use technology to help avoid another wide scale shutdown due to COVID 19!

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

We in CT now have an application that can help with COVID contact tracing.  This means that we can quarantine just those people who have COVID – and those that have come into close contact with someone who has it. This would have a much smaller impact on business and the economy – as well as help get this pandemic under control! But we have to get the majority of us to use this application in order for us to be able to expect it to have an impact!

The exposure logging and notifications are completely anonymous. You will not be able to identify anyone that potentially exposed you to COVID-19, and others will not be able to identify you if you potentially exposed them. Your information is completely private and confidential. The app does not collect your name or personal information. My wife and I have it on our cell phones – and I encourage everyone to do the same.

From the State of CT web site: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVIDAlertCT/WhatYouShouldKnow

What you should know about COVID Alert CT

Overview 

COVID Alert CT is completely free – Android users can download the app from the Google Play Store, and iPhone users can enable Exposure Notifications within the Settings app. You must be at least 18 years old to use COVID Alert CT.

COVID Alert CT is the voluntary, anonymous, exposure-notification smartphone app.

The app keeps track of when people are close to another app-enabled smartphone using Bluetooth technology.

The app alerts you if you were in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.

The app also alerts other app-enabled smartphones if you test positive for COVID-19 and were in close contact with those individuals, based upon your consent to share close contact codes.

How it Works 

As you go about your day, the app uses Bluetooth to detect when another person with the same app comes within 6 feet. Your phone exchanges a secure random code with the other phone to record that they were near.

If the app senses that you’ve been with 6 feet of someone for a total of 15 minutes or more in a day, the app adds their phone’s random code to a list of close contacts. Devices that are just passing by or stay more than 6 feet away from you are not included on the list.

If you test positive: 

  • A contact tracer from your higher education institution, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, or your local health department will ask if you are willing to share the “close contact” codes your app has logged while you may have been contagious.
  • If you agree, a contract tracer will provide you a code.
  • Once you submit that code through the app, those individuals you were within 6 feet of for 15 minutes or more, who have also downloaded the app will receive a notification that they were in close contact with someone with COVID-19. Sharing your list is secure and private. The app never reveals who you are to anyone.

Privacy 

We know privacy is a serious concern, particularly in times like this, with these types of apps – but we want to be incredibly clear that exposure logging and notifications are completely anonymous. You will not be able to identify anyone that potentially exposed you to COVID-19, and others will not be able to identify you if you potentially exposed them. Your information is completely private and confidential. The app does not collect your name or personal information.

Remember: 

  • You have full control to receive exposure notifications and can turn it off at any time.
  • COVID Alert CT will never track your location – it uses Bluetooth to detect if two devices are near each other.
  • Your identity will never be revealed to anyone.
  • Your identity will remain anonymous; the app will never collect, transmit or store any of your personal information.

COVID Alert CT Setup Instructions

Apple devices:

  1. Go to Settings > Exposure Notifications > Turn on Exposure Notifications
  2. Tap Continue and select United States > Connecticut
  3. Complete COVID Alert CT Onboarding

To verify that exposure notifications are enabled on an iPhone, go to Settings > Exposure Notifications. If notifications are enabled, users should see that the Exposure Logging Status is set to Active and there will be a green checkmark next to it. Users do not need to enable Availability Alerts on their iPhone in order for COVID Alert CT exposure notifications to work. Enabling Availability Alerts will let users know if they are in a region that is using the exposure notification tool, but is not necessary for receiving notifications.

Android devices:

The COVID Alert CT app can be downloaded from Google Play. To verify that exposure notifications are enabled on an Android phone, open the COVID Alert CT app. Click on the Settings tab and ensure that Exposure Notifications are set to On. If not, click on Exposure Notifications and turn the toggle on.

11-4 JOIN THE CHAMBER and SBDC FOR A WEBINAR PPP Forgiveness & CT CARES

Posted on by Walter Hewitt
Wednesday, November 4
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Free
We’re covering:
How To Get Your PPP Loan Forgiven
There are now three different application forms for PPP Forgiveness. We’ll explain each and do a brief walkthrough of how to complete them. Now is the time to prepare your forgiveness application – don’t miss this valuable explanation by our financing experts including the latest on forgiveness for loans under $50K, with an opportunity to ask your questions.
CT CARES Small Business Grant Program
We will also provide an overview of the just-announced Connecticut CARES Small Business Grant Program which makes available one-time $5,000 grants. Eligible small businesses and non-profits can use these funds for rent, payroll, utilities, and other allowable expenses. DECD is expecting to release the application the week of November 9th.
Free to attend. Registration required.

Q&A re CT CARES Small Business Grant – this Friday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m.

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (CT DECD) is having a Q+A session this Friday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m., regarding the CT CARES Small Business Grant Program. You can join on Zoom via the following:

Topic: Q&A re CT CARES Small Business Grant

Time: Oct 30, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81711891918?pwd=ckNWZTY5a1YvTC91SStWMTlLNHFvUT09

Note:  

In some cases small businesses are awarded “extra credit” for being in a distressed municipality.  We are still on that list.

Mayor Ronald K. McDaniel
Town of Montville

Residential Landlord Survey

Posted on by Walter Hewitt

The Connecticut Office of the Governor, Department of Housing, and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority have created a residential landlord survey to better understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on landlords and tenants.

The survey is due on November 6th, less than two weeks from today.

If you are a landlord, please complete the survey.  If you know someone who is a landlord, or if you have a landlord, please encourage them to complete the survey.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mohit Agrawal (mohit.agrawal@ct.gov) and John Scianimanico (john.scianimanico@ct.gov) in the Office of the Governor.

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