Business ideas needed at economic strategy forums

• Meeting scheduled for Danbury on 12/13 postponed to Tuesday, Jan. 29

(Dec. 12, 2007) The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is holding a series of regional forums to give the public an opportunity to share their views on the future course of the state’s economy. Businesses are being encouraged to offer their perspectives on what it will take to strengthen Connecticut’s economy.

Five more forums in the series are scheduled in January – see the complete schedule, below. A meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13 in Danbury was postponed to Tuesday, Jan. 29, due to weather concerns.

All of the forums provide an opportunity to speak directly to the state officials whom Gov. Rell has asked to draft a new economic vision for the state. Participants can talk about the factors affecting their ability to compete – from the costs of doing business to the availability of skilled workers and the condition of Connecticut’s transportation and energy infrastructures.

At a forum in Groton last week, John O’Toole, business development manager for Northeast Utilities, said that Connecticut should promote comprehensive “infrastructure-oriented development,” incorporating transportation, energy and other resources, to boost economic growth and improve the state’s business climate.

O’Toole encouraged the DECD to take a leadership position in making sure important public and private infrastructure projects get timely approvals.

CBIA is attending each of these meetings, and can provide more information on how to prepare and what to expect. The important thing is for businesses to participate and help the DECD shape its economic strategy plan for the governor.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Jesmin Basanti at 860-244-1929 or basantij@cbia.com.

Economic Strategy Forums
Schedule of remaining meetings  

Thursday, Jan. 3 in Waterbury
5–8 p.m., Naugatuck Valley Comm. College Mainstage Theatre, Fine Arts Center Bldg.

Tuesday, Jan. 8, in New Haven
5–8 p.m., Southern Conn. State Univ. Michael J. Adanti Student Center Theater (Bldg. 14)

Thursday, Jan. 10 in Bridgeport
5–8 p.m., Univ. of Bridgeport - Littlefield Recital Hall, Arnold Bernhard Arts & Humanities Center

Thursday, Jan. 17, 5-8 p.m. in Hartford
5-8 p.m., Legislative Office Building, Room 2C

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 5–8 p.m. in Stamford
5–8 p.m. , UCONN Stamford - Genre Auditorium

Tuesday, Jan. 29 in Danbury
5–8 p.m., Western CT State Univ., Danbury
Ballroom, Westside Campus Center