The Connecticut Economic Development Association (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 can be used by municipalities to update their policies and practices.
This 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. In pursuit of these best practices, planners and economic developers can use this program to engage community stakeholders in discussions about how to achieve higher standards and develop creative, community-specific ways to implement them.
The program involves a system of certification for good planning and economic development. The Best Practices criteria were developed with significant input from a wide variety of municipal economic developers and planners, including members of CEDAS and the CT Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA).
CEDAS Best Practices certification lasts for three years. We encourage 2020 and 2021 Certified Communities to recertify in 2024.
Program Time Schedule
April 15, 2024
Application period open
April 25 and May 23, 2024
Zoom Application Information Session
June 30, 2024
Application Period closes
July 1 to August 15, 2024
Review of Applications, Selection of 2024 Certified Municipalities
August 26, 2024
Email of awarded position
October 2024
CEDAS Best Practices Awards Presentation (location TBA)
Any communities interested in submitting an application, please let us know if you need any support. We have a team of Ambassadors whose communities were accredited in the inaugural year who can help answer any questions you may have and provide guidance in completing your application.
QUESTIONS?
Questions regarding the program should be directed to the program development committee chair Thomas Madden, AICP at t.madden@bfjplanning.com.
