Community Development Programs

The Community Economic Development Fund

CEDF is an alternative lender which provides financing and technical assistance to small businesses in targeted investment communities. CEDF also providing grants and assistance to community organizations working on revitalization projects. Grants are made for strategic planning and market studies, business plans, and real estate feasibility analysis. Offices in Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven. For more information call: (860) 249-3800 or (800) 656-4613 or visit their website at http://www.cedf.com.

Empowerment Zones

In 1999, the City of New Haven was awarded an Empowerment Zone designation by the Federal Government. Over the next ten years, $100 million in grants will be available for economic development projects, including job training and placement, business development, and commercial real estate projects. An additional $135 million will be available in tax exempt bonds, providing low interest financing for businesses that relocate or expand in Empowerment Zone areas. Tax credits are available for employers when they train and hire residents from low income neighborhoods. For more information contact the City of New Haven, Office of Business Development (203)-946-7059. http://www.empowernewhaven.org

Enterprise Communities

The City's of New Haven and Bridgeport were designated Enterprise Communities by the Federal Government in 1996. The Enterprise Community designation, provides $3 million for each community for economic development activities, including job training, business retention and expansion, and commercial site development for projects located in or that benefit low income neighborhoods. In Bridgeport, contact (203) 332-5662. In New Haven, contact (203) 946-7059. For more information, visit the Department of Economic and Community Development website.

Neighborhood Revitalization Zones

The State of Connecticut has enabling legislation allowing communities to create Neighborhood Revitalization Zones. These Zones allow communities waivers on certain building code and zoning regulations. Community stakeholders create comprehensive neighborhood plans, then specific commercial and residential projects are developed as part of the plan with local or State assistance. To date Neighborhood Revitalization Zones exist in Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, New Haven, Hamden, and Bridgeport. Check with local economic development departments for local designations or call the State of Conn. Office of Policy and Management at: (860) 418-6437. For more information, visit the Community Economic Development Fund website. http://www.cedf.com/nrz.html

Connecticut Main Street Program

A program sponsored by the Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Main Street is a coordinated downtown revitalization strategy focusing on design improvements, economic restructuring, coordinated marketing, and historic preservation older downtowns. The following towns have been designated as Connecticut Main Street communities: Middletown, East Hartford, Windsor, New London, Coventry, and Simsbury. For local listings contact the CT Main Street Center at CL&P: (860) 280-2556. http://ctmainstreet.org

Community Development Resources

BRIDGEPORT ECONOMIC RESOURCE CENTER (203) 335-1108

GROW BRIDGEPORT FUND (203) 335-1562

BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY CONFERENCE SERIES (203) 332-1721

WEST END ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (203) 336-5939

WEST END BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (203) 333-3128

EAST MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION ASSOCIATION (203)- 335-1688

EAST END BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (203) 336-0724 OR 335-6747

BRIDGEPORT INNOVATION CENTER (203) 336-8864

MADISON AVENUE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (203) 333-7741

LOCAL INITIATIVE SUPPORT CORPORATION (203) 335-3554

SPANISH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (203) 576-0256

SOUTH END BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (203) 368-3877

CONNECTICUT CAPITOL REGIONAL GROWTH COUNCIL (860) 524-7700

HARTFORD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (860) 527-1301

SPANISH AMERICAN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (860) 278-5825

SOUTH INSTITUTION NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE (SINA) (860) 545-7550

SOUTH HARTFORD INITIATIVE (860) 722-9878

NORTH HARTFORD INITIATIVE (860) 278-8460

PARKVILLE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (860) 586-2325

URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER HARTFORD (860) 527-0147

UPPER ALBANY MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (860) 549-0831

BLUE HILLS MERCHANTSASSOCIATION

FARMINGTON AVENUE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

FRANKLIN AVENUE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION

GREATER NEW HAVEN BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER (203) 624-1493 ext: 231

GREATER NEW HAVEN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION (203) 562-2193

SCIENCE PARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (203) 786-5000

YALE ENTERPRISE CENTER (203) 432-7546

LOCAL INITIATIVE SUPPORT CORPORATION (203) 787-5653

TOWN GREEN SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT (203) 401-4245

WHALLEY AVENUE SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT (203) 786-5455

CHAPEL WEST SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT (203) 777-1018

NEWHALLVILLE RESTORATION CORPORATION (203) 786-5180

GREATER DWIGHT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (203) 777-7374

HILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (203) 776-3759

NEW LONDON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (860) 447-8011

NEW LONDON MAIN STREET PROGRAM (860) 444-2489

NORWICH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

STAMFORD DOWNTOWN SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT

ST. LUKES COMMUNITY SERVICES

NAUGATUCK VALLEY BROWNFIELDS PILOT PROJECT (203) 735-8688

NAUGATUCK VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (203) 756-2719

CONNECTICUT SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (203) 787-3933

SPANISH AMERICAN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (HARTFORD) (860) 278-5825

SPANISH AMERICAN MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION (BRIDGEPORT) (203) 576-0256

URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER HARTFORD (860) 527-0147

GREATER NEW HAVEN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION (203) 562-2193

ABCD (BRIDGEPORT)

NEON (NORWALK)