Two Connecticut Economic Engines Join Forces for Research and Policy Efforts
10/02/2007
Contact:
Kristi Sullivan, 860-571-6213
The Connecticut Regional Institute for the 21st Century and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. have announced a research and policy partnership to increase efforts focused on promoting Connecticut's economic competitiveness.
The partnership will be launched with a joint conference on November 9th which will identify current issues that make it difficult to grow Connecticut's economies and suggest ways to create connections necessary to compete in the 21st century. The event will also feature an upcoming CERC study centered on the state's metropolitan-suburban connectivity and how Connecticut's urban areas can continue to compete on a regional, national and global level.
"This partnership will help take us to the next level to address economic regions and optimize the state's public and private resources to achieve better economic growth," said Michael Critelli, Executive Chairman of Pitney Bowes, Inc. and chair of the Institute's steering committee. "Joining our shared interests, distinct perspectives and reputations will create a positive synergy."
The Institute's work has focused on the vital links between transportation mobility, land use, long-term economic growth and economically competitive cities, and has defined Connecticut's real-life economic markets and described the global movement of people, goods and ideas. CERC's upcoming study will link to the Institute's breakthrough report entitled Connecticut: Strategic Economic Framework (produced with Michael Gallis & Associates), which embodies a vision for the state that triggered significant interest and discussion among economic development leadership and state officials, and to the more recent Economic Vitality & Competitive Cities report, which ties the Strategic Economic Framework to the state's urban communities.
"Our goal is to collaborate and develop comprehensive strategic approaches through insightful information, research and analysis," said Robert Santy, CERC president and CEO. "When strategic leadership is armed with objective research, our state can develop and maintain a vision for substantive improvements in our business climate and economic planning activities."
The unique partnership will build on CERC's expertise in providing data and analysis and on the Institute's public and private leadership and strategic thinking - resulting in the ability to better measure public outcomes and the relative merit of related investments and decisions.
About CERC
Based in Rocky Hill, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that provides objective research, marketing and economic development services to local, regional, state and utility entities and policymakers. CERC is a public-private partnership, funded primarily by utility and telecommunication companies, with a mission of making Connecticut a more competitive business location.
About the Regional Institute
The Connecticut Regional Institute for the 21st Century, an alliance of Connecticut's top public, private and institutional leaders, was formed in 1999 to help guide the economic future of the state and its cities and towns in the global marketplace. The group provides continuing opportunities for its members and others to analyze issues affecting Connecticut's sustained economic success and formulate strategies for regional growth.
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