A new program focused on developing certain areas in the state into magnets for talent has been launched by CTNext.
Called “Innovation Places,” CTNext wants to develop places that will attract the talent high-growth companies need to remain in the state, said Glendowlyn Thames, director of CTNext.
The cornerstone of the initiative is two grant competitions:
- Planning grants of up to $50,000 to help communities conduct a planning process to identify relevant conditions and to build a master plan that leverages the resources in each community to create new opportunities.
- Implementation grants to provide communities with a portion of the funding required to implement the master plan with $4.9 million allocated annually for five years, to augment private and public investments in programs and infrastructure likely to attract talented people and increase knowledge-sharing.
Grant funds may be used for:
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- Attracting and directing support to early-stage businesses and attracting anchor institutions;
- Developing, in collaboration with private partners, a business incubator, coworking space, business accelerator or public meeting space;
- Events, community building, marketing, and outreach; and,
- Open space improvement, housing development, bicycle paths and improved technology infrastructure, including broadband.
Eligible applicants include corporations, associations, partnerships, limited liability companies, benefit corporations, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, institutions of higher education or any other similar entity.
