Introduction

In 1995, the legislature created enabling legislation allowing for the creation of Neighborhood Revitalization Zones for economically impacted communities in the State of Connecticut. Conditions in many neighborhoods at the time were viewed as drastic, with abandoned buildings and wholesale disinvestment in urban neighborhoods. The NRZ legislation was designed to address the issues of blight, environmental contaminants in buildings, and restrictive building and fire codes. It was also designed to give neighborhoods more say in determining their future and to assist them in neighborhood planning and community building activities.

The NRZ legislation has, since 1995, fostered a swell of grass roots participation in the neighborhood planning process. Since 1995, Neighborhood Revitalization Zones have been organized in over thirty-five communities. The legislation has "empowered" residents to get involved in the future of their communities, implement strategic neighborhood plans, and carrying out small scale projects in housing, public safety and economic development.

NRZs Today

As mentioned, the NRZ legislation has led to the formation of NRZs in over thirty communities in Connecticut. Hartford has embraced this model with more than fifteen NRZs in the city alone. Smaller communities like Middletown, Norwich, and Willimantic have also used the process to organize neighborhood planning initiatives.

NRZs vary greatly in scope and maturity. The most mature NRZs have been at work for three or four years, have well thought-out strategic plans and have carried out projects within the plan. The Broad Street NRZ in New Britain, for example, is implementing a major commercial district revitalization program. In the Hamden, the Highville Mustard Seed NRZ, was founded and continues to grow as a center point for the community. The South End NRZ in Stamford is looking at the development sites for housing and small businesses. Many other NRZs are in the process of completing their strategic plans. Still other NRZs are just starting out in their planning efforts. The Fair Haven NRZ is an example of a new NRZ with a bold agenda for commercial revitalization, brownfield rehabilitation, and housing.
 

NRZ Economic Development Assistance Program

CEDF and the Office of Policy and Management have created a pool of matching funds to support the NRZ program. NRZs selected for the program will be provided with the services of a consultant in the field of economic development. Their services will be designed to provide NRZs with the skills necessary to implement either all or part of their economic development plan. Maximum payment for a consultant's work will be $5,000.

Assistance to the selected NRZs will be in the form of consultants' time. Consultants shall be engaged by CEDF on a contractual basis. No funds will go directly to local NRZs.

Summary of Proposed Activities

Selected NRZs will be able to work with a consultant on one of the following types of assistance.
 

• Technical Assistance in the refinement of the Economic Development section of an NRZ's Strategic Plan.
   
• Technical Assistance in the development of certain studies and reports that would be necessary for future development projects.
   
• Technical Assistance in the development of a specific economic development project.
  
   

Eligibility

Eligible NRZs are those that have had enabling resolutions passed by their respective municipalities, established by-laws, have developed an approved strategic plan as required under P.A. 95-340, and have a working Economic Development Committee. Those NRZs that cannot meet the strategic plan criterion may request special consideration for assistance if they have an established economic development plan for the neighborhood and/or have identified a specific economic development project.