Seven central Connecticut cities and towns won a key federal designation that widens the door for them to qualify for U.S. dollars to spur economic recovery, authorities say.
The Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA) was officially designated as an Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce, officials said Thursday.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Matthew Erskine, wrote in his designation letter that this “designation will serve as a foundation for future economic successes that will benefit both families and businesses” in Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth and Southington.
With its designation, CCRPA will have access to new resources for speeding up the region’s economic recovery.
CCRPA said it worked closely with the state’s congressional delegation, among them Congressman John Larson and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, to get the designation.
In addition to economic development planning, CCRPA coordinates transportation, land use, and natural hazard mitigation efforts for the seven-town region.
