Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
Economic Development
The Overview
Building a Stronger Future Together
RiverCOG works with communities to plan, build and grow thriving local economies. We connect economic development planning with land use, transportation, housing and environmental priorities to help communities make informed decisions that benefit local residents and the region as a whole.
Our team works side-by-side with municipal leaders, businesses and regional partners to further local economic development goals. In doing so, RiverCOG identifies opportunities for collaboration, coordinates efforts across multiple towns, leverages shared resources and creates cohesive regional strategies to shape a stronger, more connected regional economy.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Plan
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
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A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS, is a plan developed with broad stakeholder engagement to guide economic growth in the planning region. The CEDS identifies trends, strengths, weaknesses, and guides prioritization of economic development projects. Guidelines and procedures for the creation of the CEDS are set out by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA). Once a CEDS has been adopted by a planning region, it must be approved by EDA in order to be federally recognized. A federally recognized CEDS increases eligibility for EDA funding and supports competitive grant applications for projects identified in or consistent with the CEDS. More information on the CEDS and CEDS process can be found here: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) | U.S. Economic Development Administration (eda.gov)
RiverCOG adopted its first CEDS in April 2023 and received EDA approval in August 2023. The RiverCOG CEDS is available online. Click the button to learn more.
The Committee
Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC)
The Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC) advises the RiverCOG Boad on all economic development matters facing the region, guides implementation of economic development plans and serves as the steering committee for future updates and amendments to the CEDS.
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REDC has 25 members representing all 17 RiverCOG member towns, key business sectors and economic development leaders in the region. Members will be selected for geographic distribution, with at least one member from each municipality. The appointment of members will be by a vote of the RiverCOG board.
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As a RiverCOG committee, REDC makes recommendations to the RiverCOG board for approval prior to acting. REDC and staff stay in contact with municipal Economic Development Commissions to ensure recommendations support local economic development goals. Recommendations can encompass anything within the scope of the committee’s purpose including: pursuing grant funding for a regional project; conducting a specific study; creating economic development plans; and establishing a regional tourism website or marketing campaign.
Contact Info
Susie Beckman, Regional Planner
(860) 581-8554
sbeckman@rivercog.org
GrowSMART Plan
GrowSMART is a regional economic growth strategy for the Lower Connecticut River Valley region. The strategy is rooted in an analysis of the region’s assets, capabilities and challenges. Its purpose is to help define a desirable and feasible pathway to economic prosperity for each town as well as the collective region.
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