Statewide Resources

Neighborhood Revitalization Zones

The State of Connecticut has enabling legislation allowing communities to create Neighborhood Revitalization Zones. These Zones allow communities waivers on certain building code and zoning regulations. Community stakeholders create comprehensive neighborhood plans, then specific commercial and residential projects are developed as part of the plan with local or State assistance. To date Neighborhood Revitalization Zones exist in Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury, New Haven, Hamden, and Bridgeport. Check with local economic development departments for local designations or call the State of Conn. Office of Policy and Management at: (860) 418-6323.

Connecticut Main Street Program
A program sponsored by the Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and the State of Connecticut in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Main Street is a coordinated downtown revitalization strategy focusing on design improvements, economic restructuring, coordinated marketing, and historic preservation older downtowns. The following towns have been designated as Connecticut Main Street communities: Middletown, East Hartford, Windsor, New London, Simsbury, Portland, Rockville, Upper Albany (Hartford),Winsted. For local listings contact the CT Main Street Center (860) 280-2556, or visit their web site at http://www.ctmainstreet.org.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a national non-profit corporation with programs in over 40 sites across the country.  LISC’s mission is to assist community development corporations and other community based organizations in rebuilding neighborhoods.

LISC has been active in Connecticut since 1984 when the Hartford LISC Program was established. LISC now covers all of Connecticut through its two programs- Hartford and Connecticut Statewide. Both programs work closely with community development corporations and other non-profit organizations by providing financial and technical assistance for housing, businesses, and community facilities .  For more information contact Hartford LISC at (860) 525-4821.

Connecticut Economic Resource Center 
The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC) is a private, not-for-profit corporation formed through a unique partnership of utility / telecommunications companies and state government in 1992. Its mission is to increase Connecticut's economic vitality by helping our customers innovate and compete in the "New Economy." In its partnership with DECD, CERC supports the state's Competitiveness Strategy, which is based on industry clusters, with strategic direction, research and marketing services.

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
CHFA, a quasi public agency, has been a leader in housing finance in Connecticut, helping over 88,000 families and individuals purchase their first home with low interest, government backed mortgages.  CHFA also has provided financing for the construction and/or rehabilitation of more than 25,000 units of affordable rental housing for families and the elderly.

Empowerment Zones
In 1999, the City of New Haven was awarded an Empowerment Zone designation by the Federal Government. Over the next ten years, $100 million in grants will be available for economic development projects, including job training and placement, business development, and commercial real estate projects. An additional $135 million will be available in tax exempt bonds, providing low interest financing for businesses that relocate or expand in Empowerment Zone areas. Tax credits are available for employers when they train and hire residents from low income neighborhoods. For more information contact Empowerment New Haven offices at  (203)-776-2777.

Local Resources

Bridgeport Local Resources:
Bridgeport Economic Resource Center (203) 335-1108
Bridgeport Regional Business Council (203) 335-3800
Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation (203) 338-3800
Bridgeport Neighborhood Fund (203) 332-7977
Bridgeport Unity Council (203) 332-7404
Grow Bridgeport Fund (203) 335-1562
Groundwork Bridgeport (203) 332-1721
West End Economic Development Corporation (203) 336-5939
West End Business Association (203) 333-3128
East Main Street Revitalization Association (203)- 335-1688
East End Business Association (203) 336-0724 or 335-6747
Bridgeport Innovation Center (203) 336-8864
Madison Avenue Merchants Association (203) 333-7741
Spanish Merchants Association (203) 576-0256
South End Business Association (203) 368-3877

Hamden Local Resources
Highville Mustard Seed Development Corporation (203) 287-0528

Hartford Local Resources:
Metro Hartford Regional Economic Alliance (860) 524-7700
Hartford Economic Development Commission (860) 549-8840
Hartford Economic Development Corporation (860) 527-1301
Spanish American Merchants Association (860) 278-5825
South Institution Neighborhood Alliance (Sina) (860) 545-7550
South Hartford Initiative (860) 722-9878
North Hartford Initiative (860) 278-8460
Parkville Business Association (860) 586-2325
Urban League of Greater Hartford (860) 527-0147
Hartford Areas Rally Together (Hart) (860) 525-3449
Upper Albany Merchants Association (860) 549-0831
Upper Albany Mainstreet Program (860) 727-9830
Blue Hills Merchants Association
Farmington Avenue Merchants Association
Franklin Avenue Merchants Association
Local Initiative Support Corporation (860) 525-4821

New Haven Local Resources:
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce (203) 787-6735??
Greater New Haven Business Resource Center (203) 624-1493 Ext: 231
Greater New Haven Business and Professional Association (203) 562-2193
Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund (203) 789-8690
Science Park Development Corporation (203) 786-5000
Yale Enterprise Center (203) 432-7546
Town Green Special Services District (203) 401-4245
New Haven Streets
Whalley Avenue Special Services District (203) 786-5455
Chapel West Special Services District (203) 777-1018
Newhallville Restoration Corporation (203) 786-5180
Greater Dwight Development Corporation (203) 777-7374
Hill Development Corporation (203) 776-3759
Fair Haven Development Corporation (203) 777-5810
Mutual Housing Association of Southern Connecticut (203) 562-4514
Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (203) 562-0598

New London Local Resources:
New London Development Corporation (860) 447-8011
New London Main Street Program (860) 444-2489

Norwich Local Resources:
Norwich Community Development Corporation (860) 887-6964
Norwich Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (860) 823-3747

Stamford Local Resources:
Stamford Downtown Special Services District
St. Lukes Community Services
Mutual Housing of Southwestern Connecticut (203) 359-6940
South End Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (203) 406-0479

Waterbury Local Resources:
Naugatuck Valley Brownfields Pilot Project (203) 735-8688
Naugatuck Valley Development Corporation (203) 756-2719??
Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury (203) 753-1896??
Naugatuck Valley Project (203) 574-2410??
Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley 203-757-0535
Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce 203-757-0701

Minority Business Development Associations:
Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council (203) 787-3933
Spanish American Merchants Association (Hartford) (860) 278-5825
Spanish American Merchants Association (Bridgeport) (203) 576-0256
Urban League of Greater Hartford (860) 527-0147
Greater New Haven Business And Professional Association (203) 562-2193
Abcd (Bridgeport)
Neon (Norwalk)