You rebuild a house and in some small way, you help rebuild a community. That philosophy is what drives Erron Smith, newly hired economic development specialist at the Connecticut Economic Resource Center Inc. in Rocky Hill.
Smith, 25, is originally from Bloomfield and went to Temple University’s Fox School of Business for business administration.
“I always knew I wanted to be involved in a business atmosphere, but I wasn’t exactly sure where I fit,” said Smith. “I settled in the human resource field because I really enjoy working with people.”
After graduation, Smith got a job at Citi Financial as senior branch account executive. The work kept him in Hatboro, Penn. for almost three years where he worked with customers in planning their financial goals.
Although a valuable experience, it wasn’t Smith’s ultimate goal.
His passion was to be in the field of economic development, an interest he’s always had.
In fact, while still a college student, Smith bought two properties in Temple’s neighborhood and rehabbed them so that four students could live there.
“That helped increase property values and decreased the likelihood of neighborhood kids getting hurt in these abandoned houses,” Smith said. “It brought me a sense of belonging with the community, with the school and the people who lived there.”
Smith is now back in the state and working to manage two free searchable database Web sites provided by CERC for brokers and real estate professionals.
“It provides them with the ability to network with each other and to find properties, to bring business into the state and ultimately to create jobs and move these blighted properties in a positive direction,” Smith said.
The second Web site Smith manages includes comprehensive economic and demographic data for Connecticut cities and towns.
“Our goal is to promote the state and reach out to municipalities for this information,” Smith said. “It could help businesses decide where they want to relocate or expand.”
Smith’s job is vital to keeping pace with other states and spreading the word about development possibilities.
Even outside of work, he can see the difference that CERC makes for communities.
“Downtown Hartford is a different place than it was just eight years ago and something special is happening here,” Smith said.
“I have the opportunity to be part of the evolution and growth of the state,” he added. “There’s not too many other jobs where that happens.”
Emily Boisvert is a Hartford Business Journal staff writer.
