About Us

CERC is a nonprofit corporation and public-private partnership that provides our clients with objective research, marketing and economic development services consistent with our mission of making Connecticut a more competitive business location.

With proven, relevant expertise, CERC provides clients with the knowledge and insight they need to gain a competitive advantage.  CERC is a pioneer in the development of programs, technologies and capabilities to support effective economic development and offers a complete range of services – from strategic planning, data gathering and communications, to outreach, site selection and business assistance.  Through our accomplished, professional staff, commitment to customer service, and connection to a network of strategic partners, CERC has earned a reputation for excellence in Connecticut’s economic development community.

Here are just some of our offerings:

Research
CERC provides objective research to gauge Connecticut’s competitiveness and create a more prosperous state for residents and businesses.  Whether you’re trying to identify industries with the best growth prospects or looking for a greater understanding of market dynamics, regional economic change or industry growth, CERC’s research team has the data and insight at the local, national and global levels.

CERC offers a variety of research products, resources and tools, as well as individually designed custom research and visually informative GIS mapping.  Among the tools are:

• CERC DataFinder®  – The most comprehensive set of national and Connecticut-specific demographic, business and municipal data, allows members to select, compare and analyze information in unique ways, and create custom maps and reports on demand.
• CERC Dashboard - An interactive web-based tool that provides a unique and critical perspective on Connecticut’s competitive performance using well-established and creative measures to benchmark the state’s current capacities and its growth in a number of critical categories

CERC's research team can:

• Generate demographics, town profiles and benchmark statistics
• Research and analyze business and industry data
• Identify a community’s competitive strengths and weaknesses
• Target industries and companies that complement existing business base
• Determine the fiscal impact of any proposed projects, whether retail, commercial, industrial, housing or mixed use
• Conduct economic impact analyses
• Plan and implement business surveys

Marketing
CERC has competitively-priced, comprehensive marketing services to enhance economic development initiatives.  CERC’s marketing team can assist clients in developing communications and promotional strategies that integrate with current efforts, maximize budgets, target specific audiences and enhance outreach.

CERC has been a Department of Administrative Services-approved marketing vendor since 2002.  From printed materials that command attention to public relations, special events, web sites and more, CERC is the state's only integrated marketing agency with a connection to the economic development community and the pulse of the political environment.

CERC's marketing team can:

• Deliver results-driven statewide marketing campaigns
• Develop and execute marketing strategies
• Conduct a SWOT analysis, market research and results-based metrics
• Facilitate planning and manage the administration of committees 
• Produce highly creative, cohesive branding and tactics
• Coordinate events and web-based promotions
• Reach targets audiences, including media

Economic Development
CERC has comprehensive economic development resources and works with an extensive network of state, regional, local and utility partners to promote Connecticut as a prime business location.  Our resources include:

• Connecticut’s Business Response Center  – The state’s call center for businesses starting, expanding or relocating in Connecticut, providing information on public and private business assistance programs.
• CERC ProgramFinder®  – An online, searchable database of state, federal and private assistance programs indispensable for business recruitment and retention.
• CERC SiteFinder®  – The state's most comprehensive, online database of available commercial properties for more than a decade.
• E.D.D.I . (Economic Development Data and Information) – A first-of-its-kind, centralized, searchable database of locality-specific economic and demographic information for Connecticut and its metro areas, regions and towns.

CERC's economic development team can:

• Identify development best suited to communities
• Promote real estate and business locations
• Link to public and private resources and industries