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History
In early 1992, Connecticut was in dire need of a new economic development effort to counteract the significant job losses caused by a recession. In a political environment that was ripe for a new and different approach, the state Department of Economic Development (now called DECD - the Department of Economic and Community Development) and representatives from 11 of the state regulated utility and telecommunications companies began a dialogue about forming a marketing partnership. A large-scale campaign was planned to change the state's perceived anti-business image to one of a state doing everything in its power to help keep and create new jobs. Connecticut's governor approached utility CEO's for $15 million over three years to launch a comprehensive multimedia campaign to show that Connecticut was indeed "open for business."
The utilities, led by the strong interest of Connecticut Light & Power, were willing partners along with the support of the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). But in addition to marketing, the utilities wanted to create a legacy, something more lasting, something similar to what many of the utilities in the southern states were doing - they wanted to create a business location center. This center would be created outside of the government structure, but designed to complement and work along with government in providing up-to-date information to expanding and relocating businesses, especially in the area of real estate.
So in 1993, CERC was incorporated as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation, already supporting the state's marketing campaigns by providing management and oversight of the campaigns and fulfillment through the state's first-ever customer service center for business. The customer service representatives created, in hard copy and later online, the state's first encyclopedia of public and many private programs for business called the Business Resource Index, today known as CERC ProgramFinderŽ, the most comprehensive, up-to-date, online business information resources available in Connecticut.
As a result of the utility investment during these years, CERC, created technology-based economic development tools to promote Connecticut including CERC SiteFinderŽ, the state's most comprehensive MLS database of commercial and industrial properties and sites (established in 1993), and E.D.D.I., a first-of-its-kind, searchable database of economic and demographic information (launched in 2005).
In the last decade, CERC has provided support to DECD, including assistance with its Industry Cluster Initiative under the direction of the Governor's Competitiveness Council. In addition, CERC's state contracts have included the Office of Business Advocate's business registry program, Smart Start (formerly overseen by the Office of Policy and Management); the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board; the state's Film Office; the Office for Workforce Competitiveness and DPUC's consumer education outreach program. CERC's economic development, research and marketing teams have also worked with more than one-third of Connecticut's 169 towns, plus numerous regions and other economic development organizations to solve comprehensive challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
Over the last 10 years of its existence, CERC has received more than $30 million in funding and support for helping the state of Connecticut build, sustain and expand its economic development efforts. Its current funding partners include: CL&P, Yankee Gas Services Company, The United Illuminating Company, SBC, Connecticut Natural Gas, The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, Aquarion Water Company, The Connecticut Water Company, Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative and Verizon.
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