Contact: Thomas Madden, AICP – Connecticut Economic Development Association
Phone: (914) 310-7327
Email: cedasprograms@gmail.com
CEDAS AWARDS SEVENTEEN CONNECTICUT COMMUNITIES WITH THE
2023 BEST PRACTICES AWARDS
[NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT August 2023] The Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) has concluded its application review for ‘Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development” awards and recognizes seventeen Connecticut municipalities for its 2023 cycle.
CEDAS created the Best Practices Certification Program in 2019 to encourage best practices in municipal economic development and land use to spur continuous improvement and, to create an open resource library of model development examples that municipalities can use to update their policies and practices. The CEDAS Best Practices Certification Program is intended to drive communities to pursue excellence in land use and economic development practices and to recognize the communities that have established best practices. The 2023 Best Practices Program is sponsored by Eversource and presenting sponsors – BFJ Planning, The Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and STV/DPM.
The 2023 Best Practices application cycle opened in January and concluded in July. To complete the application, municipalities submitted documentation of municipal programs and initiatives, business and community development strategies, public engagement programs, and links to demonstrate their digital outreach efforts. Applications were reviewed and scored by professional economic developers and planners from across the state. More information about the program is available at https://cedas.org/resources/ct-best-practices-in-land-use-economic-development/
Awards will be presented to communities receiving 2023 ‘Best Practices in Economic Development and Land Use Planning’ accreditation at the CEDAS Awards Ceremony, planned for October 17th 2023, 2pm-6pm, The Glastonbury Boathouse, 252 Welles St, Glastonbury, CT. This event will celebrate successful applicants, present updates on CEDAS’ activities and growth, and continue the conversation on how ‘Best Practices’ communities can showcase this designation as models for growth and as partners for future investment. To secure tickets please visit www.cedas.org. A list of communities receiving awards is provided below and available at www.cedas.org.
The 2023 Best Practices certifications are presented to recipients in Gold, Silver, and Bronze award tiers, signifying the point ranges that communities received. In addition to the award letter recognizing the Best Practices recipients, each community receives a programmatic analysis that acknowledges Areas of Excellence and organizes comments from reviewers that can facilitate continuous improvement.
“CEDAS continues to promote high-level professional standards at the local government level, encouraging a balanced approach to economic development and land use planning. Communities that continuously improve their approach should be recognized for their efforts to promote quality growth and development” said Paige R. Bronk, President of CEDAS. “The 2023 awardees are all exceptional examples of local government successes. CEDAS stands ready to work with these and other communities to assist in facilitating positive momentum.”
CEDAS congratulates those communities receiving the 2023 ‘Best Practices in Economic Development and Land Use’ accreditation and aims to highlight their success and contributions to promoting Connecticut as a home for future business and community growth.
List of 2023 Best Practices Accredited Communities:
GOLD AWARD
- Town of Bolton
- Town of Madison
- Town of Windsor
- Town of Groton
- Town of West Hartford
- Town of Fairfield
- City of Groton
SILVER AWARD
- Town of Canton
- City of Hartford
- Town of Ridgefield
- Town of Tolland
- City of Bridgeport
- Town of East Windsor
- Town of Monroe
- City of New London
BRONZE AWARD
- City of Stamford
- City of Norwich
CEDAS, the Connecticut Economic Development Association, is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development within the state of Connecticut. The Association encourages communication among its members by providing a forum for discussion and information exchange.
CEDAS is the premiere association for economic development professionals, providing a forum for the economic development community and sponsoring educational programs and seminars to benefit those in the field. Quarterly meetings give members the opportunity to tour successful economic development projects statewide.