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Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) 2022 Update

Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG) is updating its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) as part of the overall COVID-19 recovery effort in coordination with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

The CEDS is a regional economic planning report that provides a blueprint for the region's economic growth. With this update we are adding new elements that address social equity issues. This survey is our initial step in that update and will be used to guide the plan's development.

Two new elements of the CEDS update are: (1) To clearly articulate the region's stakeholder's social equity issues, needs and strategies necessary to correct identified deficiencies and (2) to develop and put in place a set of metrics, incorporated into the CEDS, to measure the region's position and progress with regard to social, economic, and racial equity. 
 
Public input is critical in determining the content of this plan and NECCOG's next steps to better serve the region's needs through economic planning. 
 
Those who work or live within the NECCOG region are strongly encouraged to fill out this 10-15 minute survey: Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson, Union, Voluntown, and Woodstock. 




 

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* 1. What town do you work in?

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* 2. What town do you live in?

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* 3. Please select your age group:

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* 4. Please select your race/ethnicity:

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* 5. Have you experienced, or are you aware of an instance of discrimination that has taken place within the NECCOG region? If so, what kind?

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* 6. If you would like to, please elaborate on your previous response.

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* 7. Please select which gender you identify as:

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* 8. Which group(s) do you most identify with within the NECCOG region? (Choose all that apply)

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* 9. An initial stage of our work is to conduct a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of key regional stakeholders. 

From the list below, which of the following choices (please pick no more than five) best characterize the greatest economic strengths of the NECCOG region?

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* 10. From the list below, which of the following choices (please pick no more than five) best characterize the greatest economic weaknesses of the NECCOG region?

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* 11. From the list below, which of the following choices (please pick no more than five) do you believe provide the most opportunity for economic development within the NECCOG region?

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* 12. From the list below, which of the following choices (please pick no more than five) do you believe threaten or limit the economic development of the NECCOG region?

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* 13. How do the following types of infrastructure impact economic development in the NECCOG region?

  Significant Advantage Somewhat of an Advantage Neutral, N/A Somewhat of a Disadvantage Significant Disadvantage
Broadband
Water 
Housing
Sewer
Public transportation
Road/highway system
Pedestrian/bicycle routes
Railroad
Airports

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* 14. Please respond to the following:

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral, N/A Disagree Strongly Disagree
I can easily find out what is going on in my region
The region is an attractive tourist destination
My community is welcoming to diverse groups of people
The leadership of our communities represent diverse perspectives
Arts and culture are an important part of my community
Our region protects its natural resources
Community needs are met in regard to access to mental, behavioral, and addiction services
My community has high quality K-12 schools
My community has high quality secondary/higher education options
I know of many jobs that are available in my community
The jobs available in my community are of high quality
A variety of job training and educational opportunities are offered to improve job skills
Employers have access to a skilled labor force
Our community attracts workers aged 25-40
There is quality childcare available for those who work
My community helps small businesses address challenges created by the pandemic

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* 15. How well does the NECCOG region meet your expectations in the following areas?

  Very Satisfied  Satisfied Neutral, N/A Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied
Family friendliness
Climate
Natural environment
Volunteer opportunities
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Entertainment/recreation
Retail
Salary
Arts and culture
Cost of living
Appeal to young professionals 
Local and regional leadership
Economic growth management 

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* 16. The EDA defines economic resilience as the economic ability to recover quickly from a shock, the ability to withstand a shock, and the ability to avoid the shock altogether. On a scale of 1-5 (1 being the least resilient and 5 being the most resilient- from left to right), please rate the northeast region's pandemic resilience up to this point of recovery.

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* 17. Please comment briefly on your response to the previous question.

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* 18. What programs/services would you like to see implemented/created in the northeast region?

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey. NECCOG will be hosting some hybrid kickoff meetings during the month of October in order to present the results and facilitate public input for the report. Here are the kickoff meeting dates:

-Wednesday, October 12th at 6:30 pm- lower meeting room at Ashford Town Hall
-Monday, October 17th at 6:30 pm- community room at Canterbury Town Hall
-Tuesday, October 18th at 6:30 pm- room 109 at Putnam Town Hall

If you would like to attend a meeting virtually, zoom links will be made available before the start of each on the NECCOG website: https://neccog.org/

Please feel free to attend whichever meeting works best for your schedule. We look forward to seeing you!

 Contact our regional planner, Anna Shugrue, with any questions: (860) 774-1253 ext.18 or anna.shugrue@neccog.org
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