COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: Putnam, CT Source: Doug Kerr

COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: Putnam, CT Source: Doug Kerr

Quick Facts The Region is large (just over ten percent of Connecticut s total area) - covering 562.8 square miles The Region had a 2012 population of 95,971 (170.5 persons per square mile - compared to 647.6 persons per square mile for the State) making the region one of the least populated regions in the Connecticut. The NECCOG region contains just 2.7 percent of the State s population. From 1970 to 2012 the region gained more than 29,000 persons - a 43.7% increase. Population projections indicate that the region will grow to more than 104,000 persons by 2025

Moosup, CT Source: brogilbert.org DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE REGION Thompson, CT Source: Coastal 181

Population Change Town 1970 1980 1990 1996 2000 2012 2025 Ashford 2,156 3,221 3,765 4,041 4,107 4,284 4,519 Brooklyn 4,965 5,691 6,681 6,802 7,176 8,203 9,471 Canterbury 2,673 3,426 4,467 4,677 4,702 5,106 5,609 Chaplin 1,621 1,793 2,048 2,127 2,251 2,286 2,203 Eastford 922 1,028 1,314 1,477 1,617 1,730 1,903 Hampton 1,129 1,322 1,578 1,658 1,760 1,869 1,879 Killingly 13,573 14,519 15,889 16,120 16,488 17,269 18,079 Plainfield 11,957 12,774 14,363 14,557 14,626 15,267 16,129 Pomfret 2,529 2,775 3,102 3,350 3,803 4,217 4,877 Putnam 8,598 8,580 9,031 8,846 9,002 9,491 10,480 Scotland 1,022 1,072 1,215 1,364 1,557 1,710 1,836 Sterling 1,853 1,791 2,357 2,680 3,099 3,799 4,744 Thompson 7,580 8,141 8,668 8,727 8,879 9,373 10,071 Union 443 546 612 632 694 852 996 Voluntown 1,452 1,637 2,113 2,258 2,530 2,611 2,473 Woodstock 4,311 5,117 6,008 6,338 7,242 7,904 8,864 Totals 66,784 73,433 83,211 85,654 89,533 95,971 104,133

Median Age US CT Region Ashford Brooklyn Canterbury Chaplin Eastford Hampton Killingly Plainfield Pomfret Putnam Scotland Sterling Thompson Union Voluntown 36 38 40 39 38 41 39 40 40 41 42 42 43 42 43 45 46 48 0 12 24 36 48 60 Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

What is a CEDS? CEDS is short for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - a extensive process managed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) A CEDS is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies A CEDS must be the result of a continuing economic development planning process developed with broad-based and diverse public and private sector participation, and must set forth the goals and objectives necessary to solve the economic issues of the region and clearly define the metrics of success Regional EDA Office: Philadelphia, PA CT Agency: DECD

CEDS Overview CEDS guidelines prescribed by EDA Planning document required by EDA to be eligible for federal funding through their grant programs Develops a strategy for furthering economic development in region Completed CEDS also required for designation as an Economic Development District, where our region would qualify as an EDD CEDS is the basis for applying for federal grants in support of economic development; projects come out the CEDS document Analyzes regional conditions Identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) Defines the vision, goals and objectives of the region Designs strategies to accomplish goals and identifies needed projects Provides a process for regional dialogue and CEDS evolution

CEDS Standards of Excellence: NADO - National Association of Development Organizations 1. Build more resilient economies and communities by focusing and targeting regional strategies on the existing and potential competitive advantages of each individual region. 2. Foster a regional collaborative framework to strategically align public sector investments from federal, state and local sources, as well as private, nonprofit and philanthropic partners. 3. Use modern scenario, data and analysis tools and planning techniques that provide policy makers, stakeholders and the public with evidence-based and factual based information. 4. Transform the CEDS process into a more strategy-driven planning process focused on regional visioning, priorities setting and performance outcomes, rather than broad-based encyclopedia or narrative of the region with a laundry list of random projects and programs. 5. Promote and support peer reviews and exchanges of Economic Development District planning professionals and policy officials with the goal of increasing collaboration across EDD boundaries, enhancing organizational resources, and positioning regional CEDS as more effective building blocks for statewide and local strategies. 6. Communicate in a compelling and modern communication style, including use of executive summaries, high quality print and online media, and social media. 7. Engage the public, private, nonprofit and educational sectors, along with the general public, in the development and implementation of the CEDS.

2002: EDA Accepted 2002 CEDS Document 2007: CEDS Updated Plan for 2007-2012 2007: Major updates made to the CEDS 2012: Minor updates made to the CEDS CEDS Overview

What is Economic Development? The main goal of economic development is improving the economic well being of a community through job creation, job retention, tax base enhancements and quality of life. Economic development can be described in terms of objectives: the creation of jobs, wealth, improvement of quality of life. A process that influences growth and restructuring of an economy to enhance the economic well being of a community. In the broadest sense, economic development encompasses three major areas: Policies that government undertakes to meet broad economic objectives including inflation control, high employment and sustainable growth. Policies and programs to provide services including building highways, managing parks and providing medical access to the disadvantaged. Policies and programs explicitly directed at improving the business climate through specific efforts, business finance, marketing, neighborhood development, business retention and expansion, technology transfer, real estate development and others. From the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) web site: http://www.iedconline.org/hotlinks/whtecodev.html

What are the primary elements of a CEDS? Regional Evaluation Projects Regional Goals Economic Growth Analysis of the Region SWOT of Region Objectives

Regional Information/Data Demographic and socioeconomic data Geographic, climatic, environmental, and natural resources profile Infrastructure of area Overview of major sectors of economy Relationship of economy to larger region Factors that directly/indirectly affect economic performance State of the regional economy External trends and forces

Currently 4 Towns Brooklyn, Killingly, Plainfield and Stering are EDD s (Economic Development Districts) towns with unemployment over 1% above the national average. Because of this the region eligible for programs and grants. As well as prepare strategies to develop them, and apply for state and federal economic development funds. It specifies criteria for drawing district boundaries and procedures for preparing, reviewing, and approving strategies.

Public Act 10-168 requires each CEDS, in addition to EDA requirements, to: Promote economic development and opportunity Promote housing availability Foster effective transportation access Improve workforce development Enhance and protect the environment Balance resources by soundly managing development Encourage responsible growth and development Eligible districts must have the strategy approved by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) commissioner and Office of Policy and Management (OPM) secretary. After the strategy is approved, the district may submit it to the U. S. Department of Commerce for approval and apply for and receive federal funds.

Economic Development District Each district must include an area that meets economic distress criteria established in federal regulation (13 CFR 301. 3(a)(1)). Contains at least one economically distressed area that meets specified unemployment and income thresholds Encompasses a sufficiently large area and has enough people and resources to foster economic development of more than one economically distressed area Has a EDA approved CEDS that was also approved by a majority of the counties in the proposed district Obtains the current approval of the state (governor) or states in which it is located Also included are the towns of Windham, Columbia, Mansfield, Sprague, Coventry and Lebanon Until PA 10-168, Connecticut was the ONLY State not allowing EDDs

Strategy Committee The Strategy Committee is the entity responsible for the development, implementation, revision or replacement of the CEDS for the Planning Organization (NECCOG). private sector public officials community leaders private individuals representatives of workforce development boards institutions of higher education minority and labor groups

Regional Economic Development Committee The Regional Economic Development Committee Council shall meet not less than quarterly to (1) ensure that the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is maintained and updated as needed, and (2) ensure the regular interaction of the public, private and non-profit sectors in the Region s economic development. Regional Economic Development Committee shall develop bylaws and shall submit such and any modification to such bylaws as may be proposed for approval by the NECCOG Council. The Regional Economic Development Committee shall represent the main economic interests of the region, and shall, in accordance with EDA regulations. At a minimum the Regional Economic Development Committee shall include: Public officials; Community leaders; Representative of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board; Representative of the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System; Representative of Quinebaug Valley Community College; Minority and Labor groups; and Private individuals; Eastern, Northeast and Windham Chambers of Commerce; Connecticut Farm Bureau Additional membership shall be determined at the discretion of the executive director of NECCOG.

NECCOG Bylaws Regional Economic Development Committee a. NECCOG shall appoint a Regional Economic Development Committee to develop and maintain the Region s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The purpose of the Regional Economic Development Committee is to: 1. To promote economic development and opportunity in the NECCOG region; 2. To increase employment opportunities for unemployed and underemployed persons and maximizes effective development and use of the workforce; 3. Promote the use of technology in economic development, including access to high-speed telecommunications; 4. To assist and coordinate economic development planning efforts of local governments and local economic development organizations in the region; 5. To coordinate economic development planning with transportation planning, smart growth, environmental protection, education, and other programs and activities that might stimulate the region s economic betterment; 6. To implement an economic development technical assistance program that includes workshops, assistance in implementing economic development programs, and assistance to local organizations in applying for grants for economic development purposes

NECCOG s Role Facilitator of the CEDS process Plans and designs the meeting process, in partnership with the Strategy Committee Suggest ground rules and enforce such Keeps the group focused and on track Ensure All Voices Are Heard Ensure that the plan components meet EDA requirements Documentation of the CEDS process Maintains neutrality, reflecting content and process back to the committee Drafts Documents

Six Growth Management Principles (As Described in the CT POCD) 1. Redevelop and Revitalize Regional Centers and Areas with Existing or Currently Planned Physical Infrastructure 2. Expand Housing Opportunities and Design Choices to Accommodate a Variety of Household Types and Needs 3. Concentrate Development Around Transportation Nodes and Along Major Transportation Corridors to Support the Viability of Transportation Options 4. Conserve and Restore the Natural Environment, Cultural and Historical Resources, and Traditional Rural Lands 5. Protect and Ensure the Integrity of Environmental Assets Critical to Public Health and Safety 6. Promote Integrated Planning Across all Levels of Government to Address Issues on a Statewide, Regional and Local Basis

Connecticut Locational Guide Map Priority Funding Areas Balanced Priority Funding Areas Village Priority Funding Areas Conservation Areas Undesignated Areas Growth-related projects may proceed without an exception Growth-related projects may proceed without an exception, if the sponsoring agency documents how it will address any potential policy conflicts Growth-related projects may proceed without an exception, if the sponsoring agency documents how it will help sustain village character Growth-related projects may proceed with an exception - requires (if town wants state funds) the project to be supported by the municipal plan of conservation and development Growth-related projects may proceed with an exception - requires (if town wants state funds) the project to be supported by the municipal plan of conservation and development

Priority Funding Areas include: (as classified by Census Blocks) Designation as an Urban Area or Urban Cluster in the 2010 Census Boundaries that intersect a 1/2 mile buffer surrounding existing or planned masstransit stations Existing or planned sewer service from an adopted Wastewater Facility Plan Existing or planned water service from an adopted Public Drinking Water Supply Plan Local bus service provided 7 days a week

Village Primary Funding Areas: In more rural municipalities these are traditional village centers

Local Historic Districts: An area, or a cluster of related buildings, or objects and structures, in a compatible setting which, taken as a whole, visually expresses styles and modes of living representative of various periods in American History. These designations offer the maximum protection to historic building fabric and ensure that any exterior alterations are consistent with and appropriate for the existing character of the district or property.

Balanced Priority Funding Areas: Meet the criteria of both Priority Funding Areas and Conservation Areas. State agencies that propose certain actions in these areas must provide balanced consideration of all factors in determining the extent to which it is consistent with the policies of the State C&D Plan.

Conservation Areas: Factors that reflect environmental or natural resource values based on existing environmental conditions, (soils or elevation with often no visible boundaries) Core Forest Areas Greater than 250 acres based on the 2006 Land Cover Dataset Existing or potential drinking water supply watersheds Aquifer Protection Areas Wetland Soils greater than 25 acres Undeveloped Prime, Statewide Important and locally important agricultural soils greater than 25 acres Category 1, 2, or 3 Hurricane Inundation Zones 100 year Flood Zones Critical Habitats (depicts the classification and distribution of twenty-five rare and specialized wildlife habitats in the state) Locally Important Conservation Areas (based on data authorized/submitted by municipalities)

Protected Lands: Some form of restriction on development Permanently protected open space Property in which the development rights have been acquired, are classified as Protected Lands. Class I or II Water Company Owned Lands The development of such property is strictly regulated by the Department of Public Health.

Putnam, CT Source: Matthew Green EMPLOYMENT TRENDS Dayville, CT Source: DSC_4245

Estimated Employment and Population 1977, 1985 & 2015 120,000 100,000 96,199 80,000 60,000 58,961 63,842 50,672 40,000 20,000 28,231 25,301 27,600 30,598 28,458 27,900 23,244 23,503 0 5,490 2,930 1,995 1977 1985 2015 Estimated Employment Labor Force Unemployed Not in Labor Force Total Population Source: CT Department of Labor

Employment by Industry 1985 & 2015 50 45 40 35 43.5 36.2 30 25 24.4 20 19.1 15 15.2 13.5 10 8.5 5 3.1 3.1 5.6 0 1985 2015 Education/Health Trade/Trans./Utilities Manufacturing Leisure/Hospitality Professional/Businnes Source: CT Department of Labor

Historical Manufacturing Wages $30.00 $25.00 $25.29 $20.00 $15.00 $13.58 $10.00 $7.91 $5.00 $4.14 $4.60 $0.00 Region Avg.Hourly Wage 1970 1977 1985 2015 Adjusted for Inflation Source: CT Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics

1985 and 2015 Unemployment Rate Woodstock Voluntown Union Thompson Sterling Scotland Putnam Pomfret Plainfield Killingly Hampton Eastford Chaplin Canterbury Brooklyn Ashford Region CT US 4.2 4.2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4.5 4.6 5.2 5 5.1 5.2 5.6 5.6 5.5 5.7 6.1 6.2 6.2 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.6 6.7 7.3 7.4 7.1 7.5 7.6 7.5 7.9 8.3 8.5 1985: 2015: Source: CT Department of Labor

Ability to Obtain Suitable Employment 60 50 48 40 41 30 27 31 31 27 20 21 22 19 10 0 3 4 0 Excellent Good Fair Poor High School or Less Some College/Associates Bachelor's or Higher Source: DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey

Scotland, CT Source: Clan MacIntyre INCOME IN THE REGION Woodstock, CT Source: maggiesfarm.anotherdotcom.com

Median Household Income (Lowest Median Income by Census Block Group) $120,000 $100,000 Pomfret Eastford Hampton Ashford Canterbury $80,000 CT Median Income $60,000 Union Scotland Voluntown Chaplin Plainfield Killingly $40,000 Sterling Brooklyn Thompson $20,000 Woodstock Putnam $0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau US Census Bureau 2009-2013 ACS 5-Year Estimates

Median Household Income $87,500 $70,000 $52,500 $49,303 $66,225 $69,461 $53,046 $35,000 $17,500 $0 Villages Region CT US Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

Median Income by Education Level Region CT US $0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 $35,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 Median HS Median Less that HS Median Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

Median Income by Gender and Educational Attainment Region CT US $0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 Female HS Male HS Female Median Male Median Female Less than HS Male Less than HS Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

Are things Better or Worse than the Last Generation 60 57 50 46 52 40 41 33 33 30 20 14 10 7 5 0 Better Off Not Better Off The Same High School or Less Some College/Associates Bachelor's or More Source: DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey

Sterling, CT Source: ctstategrange.org POVERTY RATES AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN THE REGION Pomfret, CT Source: en.wikipedia.org

SNAP, Unemployment and Poverty Percentages 27.5 22. 21.9 16.5 14 15 14 14 11. 10.5 11 11.5 11 5.5 6 7 8 0. US CT Region Villages SNAP: Unemployment: Poverty: Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

Changes in Poverty Rates : 1999 and 2012 6% Ashford 12% 6% Brooklyn 5% 10% Canterbury 3% Chaplin 3% 4% 6% Eastford 6% 4% Hampton 7% 9% Killingly 10% 7% Plainfield 9% 4% Pomfret 6% 8% Putnam 16% 5% Scotland 1% 6% Sterling 12% 5% Thompson 4% 5% Union 1% 5% Voluntown 1% 4% Woodstock 5% 0% 8% 15% 23% 1999 2012 Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

How Well Persons are Managing Financially 45 42 40 35 30 36 37 31 28 27 25 20 21 21 24 15 10 5 0 11 9 6 3 3 1 Comfortably Well Just Getting By Finding it Difficult Finding it Very Difficult High School or Less Some College/Associates Bachelor's or More Source: DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey

Union, CT Source: travelguideofamerica.com EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN THE REGION Brooklyn, CT Source: ctmonuments.net

Educational Attainment: 2012 Ashford Brooklyn Canterbury Chaplin Eastford Hampton Killingly Plainfield Pomfret Putnam Scotland Sterling Thompson Union Voluntown Woodstock 27% 17% 5% 23% 18% 34% 18% 9% 14% 9% 40% 43% 20% 15% 9% 5% 13% 17% 7% 12% 29% 31% 20% 17% 11% 8% 17% 20% 16% 18% 39% 18% 9% 12% 7% 45% 21% 7% 8% 5% 29% 20% 7% 17% 21% 37% 37% 25% 20% 7% 11% 11% 13% 7% 10% 44% 22% 7% 10% 5% 38% 19% 8% 14% 9% 44% 20% 3% 17% 12% 35% 25% 9% 11% 9% 30% 19% 7% 22% 16% High School Graduate Some College, No Degree Associate s Degree Bachelor s Degree Graduate or Profesional Degree Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

Percentages of Persons Without a High School Diploma 18 16.9 16 14 12 14.1 11.1 11.2 14.6 12.5 11.3 11.1 12.2 10 8 6 4 2 0 US CT Region Brooklyn Killingly Plainfield Putnam Sterling Thompson Source: American Fact Finder, U.S. Census Bureau

Employed within the Last 30 Days: Education and Training Needs 90 80 81 79 70 60 63 50 40 36 30 20 19 21 10 0 Had Needed/Ed Training Needed More Ed/Training High School or Less Some College/Associates Bachelor's or More Source: DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey

Not Employed within the Last 30 Days: Education and Training Needs 80 70 70 60 60 56 50 40 40 44 30 30 20 10 0 Had Needed Ed/Training Needed More Ed/Training High School or Less Some College/Associates Bachelor's or More Source: DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey

HOUSING COSTS Ashford, CT Source: ancestry.com Canterbury, CT Source: ctfreedomtrail.org

60 Percentage of Renters Spending over 30% of their Income on Gross Rent 57% 50 40 30 36% 29% 35% 32% 31% 32% 35% 35% 20 10 0 CT Region Ashford Brooklyn Eastford Hampton Killingly Plainfield Putnam Percent of Income to Gross Rent Source: http://pschousing.org

Hourly Salary Needed to Afford a 2BR Apartment New London $20.33 Tolland $22.00 Windham $18.33 Region $18.69 State $24.29 0. 6.25 12.5 18.75 25. 31.25 Source: http://pschousing.org

Transportation

60. Vehicles Available Per Rental Household (2000) 50. 48.7 47.2 47.6 40. 30. 22.4 20. 16 17.3 10. 0. No Car Only One Car CT Region Villages Source: http://factfinder.census.gov

40. Vehicles Available Per Rental Household (2015) 35.9 30. 32.6 29.6 20. 10. 9.1 5.5 10.8 0. No Car Only One Car CT Region Villages Source: http://factfinder.census.gov

Regional and Potential Transportation Routes Worcester Boston Greater Worcester Transit, Webster, MA Auburn Scituate Providence Killingly RIPTA, Scituate, RI Windham Brooklyn SEAT, Jewett City, CT Lisbon Plainfield Jewett City

CEDS is intended as a dynamic process New CEDS submitted by November 2016 Time Line Activity March 16 April 16 May16 June 16 July 16 August 16 September 16 October 16 November 16 Kick-off Research and Information Gathering Electronic Poll Strategy Committee Meetings Draft CEDS for Committee Review Public Hearings Final CEDS for Submission

SWOT Analysis Questions that generate meaningful information for each category (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to make the analysis useful and find their competitive advantage and consider whether the objective is attainable, given the SWOTs. Strengths characteristics that give that are unique and create a positive advantage to the region Weaknesses characteristics that are a disadvantage intrinsic to the region Opportunities elements that the region can exploit to its advantage Threats elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the region

Voluntown, CT Source: pinterest.com Hampton. CT Source: commonswikimedia.org

Eastford, CT Source: commonswikimedia.org Question or Comments? Chaplin, CT Source: commonswikimedia.org