Southeast CT's Most Notable Economic Growth Initiatives to be Honored at CERC's Year End Event

CERC’s Annual Statewide Event to be held at the Bushnell, December 7


Rocky Hill, CT – The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC), a nonprofit company that promotes Connecticut as a competitive business location, and Southeast Connecticut economic development professionals will honor top local economic development project, General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation/Naval Submarine Base, and leader, Deborah Donovan, Director of Marketing for the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, at CERC’s annual event CELEBRATE CT! on December 7.

The region has seen major economic investment and growth by its significant defense industry team of General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation and the Naval Submarine Base. EB supports 11,000 employees and their 2010 purchase of the former Pfizer Global R&D Center in New London, comprising more than 1.3 million square feet of building space, was hugely significant to the city of New London. SUBASE is the last Navy operational base in the Northeast. In October, SUBASE cut the ribbon for its new $10 million Port Operations Center, and early in 2012, they anticipate the completion of a $35.2 million project a new, modern, double-wide pier. These are two of the numerous projects that comprise some $100 million of military construction that has been taking place on the Base over the past year, and includes nearly $11 million in state support. (“quote from EB/Naval Base”)

seCTer is a public-private regional economic development agency serving the towns of New London County. In the past year, Deborah has not only coordinated several activities to attract new and relocating businesses to the area, working closely with the region’s towns, realtors and businesses, but is also undertaking the update of the region’s Comprehensive Regional Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Deborah also oversees the Economic Development Committee of seCTer and is a dedicated participant in other economic development and community activities such as the Community Builders Institute committee, CEDAS Board of Directors, and serves as President of the New London County Historical Society. (“quote from DD”)

Regions across the state were invited to designate two award honorees - a company or a project, program, organization or individual, for their contribution to their local economy in 2011. The committee considers companies, people or projects for their long tenure in the region; consistent or growing employment levels, role in changing the character of its community or some measure of civic engagement. A project might represent strong public/private collaboration to bring new investment or employment to the region, or to improve infrastructure in a way that encourages new private investment. An individual might be recognized for leadership that has motivated changes resulting in economic growth or regional improvements.

More than 150 economic development and business professionals attend CELEBRATE CT! to network with their economic development and business counterparts from around the state and to see firsthand winning examples of innovation and perseverance despite the most challenging economic times in decades.

“These awards underscore the tenacity of the state’s regional organizations and their continued commitment and dedication to the growth of Connecticut,” said CERC President and CEO Robert Santy. “Each region partners with us to identify and acknowledge some of the year’s most outstanding economic development projects, programs and leaders, and CERC is very pleased to feature them at this celebratory year-end event.”

 

 

About CERC

Based in Rocky Hill, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation and public-private partnership that provides objective research, marketing and economic development services consistent with making Connecticut a more competitive business environment.  For more information, visit www.cerc.com and connect to CERC on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@cercinc).