(a) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish, within available resources, a regional economic development matching grant pilot program for the purpose of providing matching funds to regional economic development corporations for the implementation of economic development programs in distressed municipalities. Such pilot program shall be available to any regional development corporation representing not less than four municipalities, one of which shall be a distressed municipality, as defined in section 32-9p. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may, in his or her discretion, allow a regional economic development corporation that represents less than four municipalities, one of which shall be a distressed municipality, to participate in the program. The department may enter into an agreement, pursuant to chapter 55a, with a person, firm, corporation or other entity to operate such program.
(b) Applications for participation in such pilot program shall be submitted in a manner prescribed by the department. Each application shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) The location of the principal place of business of the applicant; (2) an explanation of the economic development program for which the matching grant is being applied; (3) the amount and source of funding for such program the applicant seeks to have matched; and (4) such other information the department deems necessary. The department shall not accept new applications for the regional economic development matching grant pilot program after June 30, 2026.
(c) In determining whether an applicant shall be selected for a matching grant pursuant to this section, the department, or the operator, if any, selected pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall consider, but need not be limited to, the following factors: (1) The description of the economic development program proposed by the applicant; (2) the resources and record of success of the applicant relative to economic development programs implemented by the applicant in the applicant's region; and (3) the potential impact of the proposed economic development program on the workforce in the region where the applicant is located. The department may provide, within available funds, matching grants to eligible applicants for the funding of economic development programs proposed in such applications.
(d) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may award matching grants to regional economic development corporations participating in the pilot program not exceeding in the aggregate ten million dollars. The amount of any matching grant issued pursuant to this section shall not exceed five million dollars.
(e) Not later than two years after the receipt of any financial aid pursuant to this section, and annually thereafter, each regional economic development corporation participating in the pilot program shall submit a report to the Department of Economic and Community Development detailing the progress of the economic development program proposed in such corporation's application and containing any additional information deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.
(f) Not later than January 15, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, containing an evaluation of the operation and effectiveness of the pilot program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce.
(P.A. 21-77, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 21-77 effective July 1, 2021.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 32 - Commerce and Economic and Community Development
Chapter 578 - Department of Economic and Community Development
Section 32-1a. - Short title: State Commerce Act.
Section 32-1b. - Department of Economic and Community Development established.
Section 32-1c. - Powers and duties of commissioner.
Section 32-1d. - Deputy commissioner, appointment and functions.
Section 32-1e. - Plan for support and promotion of industries using recycled materials.
Section 32-1n. - Reports re funding for economic and industry cluster initiatives.
Section 32-1o. - State economic strategic plan.
Section 32-1p. - Powers and duties re digital media and motion picture activities.
Section 32-1r. - Report on business tax credit and abatement programs.
Section 32-1s. - Powers and duties re culture and tourism.
Section 32-1v. - Small business hotline.
Section 32-2 and 32-2a. - Expenses; director. Bonding of commission members and employees.
Section 32-3. - Duties of department; Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated.
Section 32-4a. - Assistance to Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Incorporated.
Section 32-4b. - State Economic Development Advisory Board.
Section 32-4e. - “Economic cluster” defined.
Section 32-4g. - Economic cluster report by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.
Section 32-4h. - Economic cluster bond funds report.
Section 32-4i. - Learn Here, Live Here program.
Section 32-4j. - Connecticut first-time homebuyers account.
Section 32-4k. - Learn Here, Live Here program. Segregation of income taxes.
Section 32-4l. - First five plus program.
Section 32-4o. - Bond authorization for grants.
Section 32-4p. - Requests for proposals and competitive grant program re major projects.
Section 32-4r. - Youth Service Corps grant program.
Section 32-4s. - Local Youth Service Corps program requirements.
Section 32-5b. - Deadlines for approval or disapproval of applications for financial assistance.
Section 32-6. - Connecticut building at Eastern States Exposition.
Section 32-6h. - One-stop business licensing center.
Section 32-6i. - Connecticut Economic Information System Steering Committee.
Section 32-6j. - Assistance of Labor Commissioner in job-training activities.
Section 32-6k. - Impact statements submitted to the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board.
Section 32-6m. - Promotion of products produced in Connecticut.
Section 32-6n. - Electronic business portal.
Section 32-6u. - Connecticut antiques trail. Promotional program.
Section 32-6w. - Display of temporary signage or flags by business on Connecticut antiques trail.
Section 32-7e. - Regional Economic Development Assistance Revolving Fund.
Section 32-7f. - Economic development grants program.
Section 32-7g. - Small Business Express program.
Section 32-7h. - Small business express assistance account.
Section 32-7n. - Manufacturing Innovation Advisory Board.
Section 32-7p. - Technology Talent Advisory Committee. Membership. Duties. Pilot programs. Report.
Section 32-7q. - Minority Business Initiative Advisory Board. Duties. Membership.
Section 32-7r. - Regional economic development matching grant pilot program.
Section 32-8. - Administration of federal funds.
Section 32-8a. - Registry of electronic commerce and information technology intensive companies.
Section 32-8b. - Cooperative internship program.
Section 32-8c. - Connecticut Young Adult Conservation Corps program. Set-asides. Reports.
Section 32-9. - Right of local redevelopment agencies to contract with federal government.
Section 32-9aa and 32-9bb. - Loans for the repair of dams. Regulations.
Section 32-9c. - Transfer of powers and duties of the Connecticut Development Commission.
Section 32-9d. - Transfer of personnel and properties.
Section 32-9dd. - Transfer of remediated brownfields.
Section 32-9i. - Job incentive grant program for businesses in areas of high unemployment.
Section 32-9k. - Business facilities qualified for job incentive grants.
Section 32-9l. - Determination of grant amounts. Regulations.
Section 32-9n. - Office of Small Business Affairs.
Section 32-9o. - Industrial growth in areas of high unemployment. Legislative determination.
Section 32-9qq. - Business outreach center challenge grants. Eligibility of greenways projects.
Section 32-9tt. - Funding for businesses new to exporting.
Section 32-9u. - Use of North American Industrial Classification codes.
Section 32-9uu. - Program to increase entrepreneurial potential in the inner cities.
Section 32-9vv. - Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition.
Section 32-9w. - Evaluation of impact of development project on the environment. Procedure.
Section 32-9ww. - Fuel cell economic development plan. Reports.
Section 32-9xx. - Small Business Advisory Board.
Section 32-9yy. - Connecticut Credit Consortium. Small business assistance account.