Aiming toward ‘smarter’ growth in state

(August 22, 2008) How can Connecticut make “smarter” use of its land, promoting sustainable and responsible economic growth in a regionally coordinated way?

The Smart Growth Working Group has been meeting this summer with the aim of presenting a “comprehensive, coordinated smart growth program’’ to the legislature.

Specifically, the group is studying land use, regional efficiency, economic development and tax policy — initiatives stemming from Gov. Rell’s “responsible growth’’ program, which she has expanded over the past few years.

During an economic development subcommittee meeting last week, the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) identified what it considered the greatest challenges to Connecticut’s economic future, including:
• Job growth and retention
• Making it easier to do business in Connecticut
• Fostering regional cooperation
• Encouraging development tied to mass transit
• Brownfields remediation

Those are issues CBIA members have also identified as key to promoting a stronger Connecticut economy.

“Smart growth has been treated as something of an academic exercise for the past few years,’’ said Rep. J. Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden), head of the working group. “The prospect of gas going to $5 and beyond suggests that we really need to do it now.’’

For more information about the Smart Growth Working Group, contact CBIA’s Jesmin Basanti at 860-244-1979 or jesmin.basanti@cbia.com.