Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is the primary state agency responsible for fostering economic growth and community development within Connecticut. Established in 1973, it administers a wide array of programs aimed at business recruitment, historic preservation, tourism promotion, and arts funding. The department operates under the leadership of a commissioner appointed by the Governor of Connecticut and is headquartered in the state capital of Hartford, Connecticut.

History

The department was created in 1973 through the merger of the former Connecticut Department of Commerce with various community development functions, centralizing the state's economic strategy. Key legislative acts, such as the Connecticut Economic Development Act, have periodically reshaped its mandate and tools. Under the administration of Governor Ella Grasso, the agency began to emphasize small business support and urban renewal projects. Significant evolution occurred in the 1990s under Governor John G. Rowland, with a focus on corporate relocation incentives and major projects like Adriaen's Landing. Following the Great Recession, the agency under Governor Dannel Malloy shifted towards innovation ecosystems and support for advanced manufacturing, exemplified by the launch of CTNext.

Organization and leadership

The department is led by a commissioner, currently Alexandra Daum, who is appointed by the Governor of Connecticut and confirmed by the Connecticut General Assembly. The organizational structure includes several main divisions: the Office of Business Development, the Office of the Arts, the Connecticut Office of Tourism, and the Connecticut Historic Preservation Office. Key subsidiary units and quasi-public partners include Connecticut Innovations, the state's venture capital arm, and the Capital Region Development Authority. The agency works closely with other state entities like the Connecticut Department of Labor and regional entities such as the MetroHartford Alliance.

Programs and initiatives

DECD administers a comprehensive portfolio of financial incentive programs, including the Urban Act grants, the Small Business Express Program, and tax credit initiatives like the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit. A major focus is the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, which supports aerospace and biotechnology sectors in partnership with the United Technologies Corporation. The department's Connecticut Office of Tourism runs the iconic "Still Revolutionary" marketing campaign, while the Connecticut Historic Preservation Office oversees federal National Register of Historic Places listings and the Main Street Initiative. Cultural support is channeled through the Connecticut Office of the Arts, funding institutions like the Wadsworth Atheneum and the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.

Economic impact

The department's initiatives have been instrumental in several major corporate relocations and expansions, including the move of Bridgewater Associates to Stamford, Connecticut and the expansion of Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Its financing programs have supported thousands of small businesses and projects in cities like New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury. Investments in brownfield remediation have facilitated redevelopment projects such as Downtown Danbury and the Parkville Market in Hartford. The state's tourism industry, promoted by DECD, generates significant revenue, with key destinations including Mystic Seaport, Foxwoods Resort Casino, and the Yale University campus.

See also

* Economy of Connecticut * List of state agencies of Connecticut * Connecticut Department of Labor * Connecticut Innovations * Regional planning in Connecticut

Category:State agencies of Connecticut Category:Economic development in the United States Category:Government of Connecticut