3-7-08

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional, State Federal Links Docs"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Links NW CT"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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Assoc.)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Bronze Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Parker Productions</B></div> <div> <B>Winvian</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    </B><B>|</B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Northwest Connecticut Economic Developme"><B>home</B></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12508">1-25-08</A>   |   <B>3-7-08</B>   |   <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="41808">4-18-08</A>   |   <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5208">5-2-08</A>   |   <A HREF="id107.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9508">9-5-08</A>   |   <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10308">10-3-08</A>   |   <A HREF="id109.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11708">11-7-08</A>   |   <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12508">12-5-08</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>3-7-08</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="727" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1435 WIDTH="719"><div> <B><U>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</U></B></div> <div> 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790</div> <div> <U>860.567.2204 - www.nwctedc.com - info@nwctedc.com</U></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Board of Directors</U></B></div> <div> March 7, 2008 - 8:00 am</div> <div> <I>NW CT Chamber of Commerce</I></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Attendance</U></B><B>: </B>Ted Murphy, Maura Martin, David Childs, Dwain Snow, Ruth Epstein, Doug Parker, Chris Vita, Pat Power, Bob Axelrod, David Dean, Jeff Cugno, Pat Power, Bill Baxter, Rick Lynn, JoAnn Ryan, Tracy Cravanzola, Bill Burgess, Vance Taylor, Leo Paul, Jr.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Reviewed minutes from Annual meeting (January 25, 2008) - Bob Axelrod motioned to approve, Lou Helt seconded, minutes approved unanimously.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Scenario Planning</U></B>: Reviewed sponsors and attendees for the Scenario Planning sessions.  There is still a need for more diverse representation including from hospitals, smaller towns, etc.</div> <div> <U>1st Day- March 28</U></div> <div> -  Discussing economic issues facing the region</div> <div> -  Brainstorming- potential economic solutions</div> <div> -  Take criteria and match it up with ideas, determine which are most plausible.</div> <div> -  End of the first session, should have narrowed down to 3-6 ideas.</div> <bR> <div> <U>2nd Day- April 28</U></div> <div> -  Define and develop scenarios with descriptive detail</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Issues affecting the Region & State</U></B><B> </B>- <I>(issues added to the handout)</I></div> <div> -  Agriculture- Economic viability of small farms & protecting farm land</div> <div> -  Effect of new retail on Small Business</div> <div> -  Risk to tourism revenue (gambling, etc)</div> <div> -  Energy Flow into the region - how much is available</div> <div> -  Economic viability of city centers</div> <div> -  CT main street program- discuss at 2nd day planning</div> <div> -  Internet and cell phone access</div> <div> -  Attracting new business and workers to the region</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Regional Transportation Plan </U></B> - Rick Lynn</div> <div> -  The full report is posted on the EDC website <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" >www.nwctedc.com</FONT></div> <div> -  Issues facing the region- action plan priorities</div> <div> -  Improvements recommended- downtown Torrington for revitalization</div> <div> -  New transit center- $5 million allocated to site analysis taking place right now- should be located in downtown Torrington</div> <div> -  Rail development and renovations that need to take place</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Job Fair  </U></B><B>- </B>JoAnn</div> <div> -  Well attended</div> <div> -  60 employers represented</div> <div> -  1,300 interested future employees</div> <div> -  1 business interviewed 22 people for the positions they have available</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Welcome Center</U></B> - JoAnn</div> <div> -  Historical Architect has been hired so that the building will not be removed from the Historical registry. </div> <div> -  Will be bidding next week for a general contractor</div> <div> -  Following guidelines very closely</div> <div> -  The goal is for the building to be moved by Mid May- June</div> <div> -  $100,000 grant from the state</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Nidec</U></B>:</div> <div> -  Bob Simmons from HRP was conducting an assessment on the property- funds ran out.  Willing to pro-bono assessing for our EDC Committee.</div> <div> -  There are 2 offers on the table for the Nidec property, but the owners are waiting to hear from us</div> <div> -  JoAnn motioned to go ahead with the assessment and go from there, Pat Power seconded the motion</div> <div> -  David Dean feels the need for a business plan to be in place</div> <div> -  Bill Burgess would like to see the group partner with someone to make getting grant money easier.  He mentioned UCONN</div> <div> -  Jeff Cugno- Grant funding source will make us have the business plan, revenue plan, etc in place.  Having a partner is a great idea and will help ensure the project will be completed.</div> <div> -  Remedial Action Plan- what needs to be done and what is the cost of clean up</div> <div> -  Next meeting- bring contract for Bob Simmons</div> <div> -  Doug Parker- Film industry would fit in perfectly with this site</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NWCCC Nursing Program Update</U></B> - Bill Baxter</div> <div> -  Foundation working on funding- $2 million objective</div> <div> -  Raised $850,000- goal is $1 million by May.  Then they will announce the Community Gift program</div> <div> -  JoAnn motioned for NWCTEDC to support/endorse this program, Lou Helt seconded, motion was approved unanimously.</div> <bR> <div> Respectfully submitted,</div> <div> Tracy Cravanzola</div> <div> Tracy Cravanzola</div> <div> Recording Secretary</div> <div> Northwest CT Economic Development Corporation</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NWCTEDC Minutes"><B>Back to Minutes</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>