Sustaining economic growth in the Hartford Region is the MetroHartford Alliance’s primary objective. To encourage that growth, we provide a variety of economic development services to member towns throughout Hartford and Tolland counties.
Business Visitation Program
We encourage economic development professionals to keep tabs on their local businesses to understand the realities they encounter. In partnership with Northeast Utilities, the MetroHartford Alliance offers all participating towns Executive Pulse, a free business visitation collection program.
- Identify opportunities for and impediments to future growth
- Alliance staff can accompany town representatives or we can individually visit businesses at the town’s request
- Assistance and training available to develop and expand your visitation program
The Regional Economic Development Forum (REDF)
Maximize your municipality’s investment by participating in this bi-monthly meeting where member towns collaborate to address important economic development issues.
- Town staff and local businesses learn about funding and program resources available to them
- The Alliance facilitates an information exchange and circulates requests for information amongst the group
- REDF recommends items to include on the Alliance’s legislative agenda
Economic Development for Public Officials (EDPO)
Public leaders enhance their understanding, knowledge and skills relative to community economic development during this two-hour program.
- Elected officials, town boards, commissions and staff discuss the regional and local economy and the associated economic development issues
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
CEDS Executive Summary: Discover the roadmap for the Hartford Region’s future economic development efforts.
CEDS RFP: Download the proposal seeking firms to update our existing CEDS.
CEDS RFP Questions and Information
Metro Hartford Alliance RFP Questions
source: Camoin Associates
- The
2006 CEDS is thorough and still very relevant. As a result, a full
economic reassessment of the region does not appear to be
necessary. Instead, an update to the socio-economic, business and
other data, reassessment of the Corridor's established SWOT and a
re-evaluation of the 2006 goals and actions would appear to be a
sufficient approach. Is this an accurate assessment of the CEDS update
needs?
Yes - The original CEDS addresses many, if
not all, of the six livability principles. In addition, many of the
Livability Principles have been or will be addressed in other
Corridor planning efforts. Would it be sufficient if the updated
CEDS was similar in the extent in which the original plan
addressed these principles? Or is it expected that the results of
other studies that address these Principles should be incorporated
into the updated CEDS?
The six livability principle will need to be acknowledged in the
CEDS. The CEDS should still focus on economic development,
acknowledge the relevance of the “non-economic development”
principles and make reference to the other corresponding
documents. - There is very brief mention about a
market analysis of the Knowledge Corridor's Bus Rapid Transit and
Rail Corridors. No other details about "this market analysis of
the Knowledge Corridor's...." is mentioned. In addition, it
appears that substantial transportation projects are already
underway in the Corridor. Is this component already being
conducted in one of the other coinciding Corridor planning studies
or included in error?
Unsure, should ask
CRCOG, Mary Ellen Kowalewski. I do not envision any market analysis
however I do see such projects being evaluated as part of a major
capital projects’ ranking. - Regarding the
maximum base pay rate (found in General Schedule 15, Step 10) - is
this the maximum hourly rate that can be charged in determining a
fixed fee (not to exceed $50k), or is this exclusive of overhead
and profit?
Will need to consult CRCOG. - Preparation
of the CEDS requires collaboration between the sponsor and the
selected consultant. Considering the limited funding available,
have you considered what might be an appropriate sharing of
responsibilities in order to produce a CEDS that meets EDA
requirements and is meaningful to the region?
I would recommend that the consultant ID any tasks where the
Alliance could share in the responsibility. You should discuss
prior to submittal of the proposal.
One area in which responsibility will likely be shared is in the
development of a list of capital projects. Our plan is to develop,
evaluate and prioritize a list of both major capital for the region
(i.e. commuter rail) as well as a list of infrastructure projects
that could in part be funded by EDA based on their existing
priorities. We would expect the Alliance along with the consultant
to develop the appropriate matrices, evaluate and prioritize.
This would be a shared responsibility. The Alliance would do the
actual solicitation. - Can you elaborate on how the
requirement that payments to consultants may not exceed the
equivalent of General Schedule 15, Step 10 base pay rate should be
factored into the pricing of this proposal (if the pricing is
$50,000 or less all inclusive will that be compliant with this
requirement)?
Please call Mary Ellen Kowalewski at CRCOG re the second question as this is a condition of the HUD funding. - Exactly
what from the original CEDS documents are you looking to update--
the community assessment; the target industries; the strategic
plan; or all of these?
We're looking to update the entire document and ultimately negotiate
with the successful consultant as to where time should be best
allocated. - Under the Hartford Scope of Work,
there is a statement that this update should identify projects and
programs. Is there is any updating of the Angelou plan, or if this
initiative more of a drilling down into the more general aspects of
the Angelou plan identifying the “sustainable / comprehensive”
approach to implementing some of the original concepts?
Our plan is to develop, evaluate and prioritize a list of both major
capital for the region (i.e. commuter rail) as well as a list of
infrastructure projects that could n part be funded by EDA based
on their existing priorities. We would expect the Alliance along
with the consultant to develop the appropriate matrices, evaluate
and prioritize. This would be a shared responsibility. The
Alliance would do the actual solicitation. - While
the RFP states the CEDS will be for the MetroHartford portion of
the MA/CT Knowledge Corridor, the CEDS by Angelou Economics was
for the Hartford region in general—are you looking to add
additional data to the study to make it more applicable to this
corridor?
The KC reference was was added to "conform" with the HUD
sustainable communities funding. The CEDS is for the Hartford region but
will need to put considered in the contact of the KC. - The
data in the original CEDS related to community and business
perceptions is likely still valid—would you want the consultant to
hold focus groups/conduct surveys to update this portion of the
study?
Would prefer to not include additional focus groups and surveys. The
Alliance is currently going through a strategic planning process
to establish our work plan for the next four years. We have
surveyed and held focus groups the results of which can be
incorporated in the CEDS update. - The original
report recommends measuring progress across several variables
related to quality of life, economic development, etc. and
providing a score on each strategy implemented or not
implemented—are you looking for the consultant to do this?
We would be interested in establishing parameters for measuring the
region's progress (not necessarily the Alliance's). A report card
for the region. - What role will the Council of Governments, MetroHartford Alliance and key stakeholders be playing in this study?
The Alliance will act as the project manager with input and support
from CRCOG. There is a volunteer CEDS Strategy Committee in place
that will be used for guidance. The Alliance may look to use its
Economic Development Council (100 members+) for additional input.
Please feel free to call me for additional insight. 860.728.2284.
Contact Us
Find out how to become a MetroHartford Alliance Member Town to
capitalize on these services as we address economic development
initiatives throughout the Region. Contact either Rebecca Nolan, EDP,
Business Development Manager at rnolan@metrohartford.com or 860.728.2280, or John Shemo, Vice President & Director Economic Development at jshemo@metrohartford.com or 860.728.2284.