On Thursday, January 28, 2016 key decision makers, the business community, economic development professionals, community organizations, and more joined Mayor Neil M. O’Leary at the Palace Theater in Waterbury to demonstrate the greater Naugatuck Valley region’s tremendous potential and the steps we must take to continue making our region a more connected, vibrant, and affordable place to live and work.

Watch the Full Conference Proceedings Here

We heard from experts on exciting alternative mode transportation projects (BRT in the Valley/ CTfastrak connections from Waterbury to Bristol and to Danbury/ High Speed Rail in Connecticut/ Increased frequency on the Waterbury branch line), the importance of regional and statewide partnerships, improving mixed-use, walkable centers in communities of all sizes, and more!

Printable Program

Speaker Bios

Conference Opening Remarks and Mayor Neil M. OʼLeary, City of Waterbury, NVCOG Chair

Waterbury: Public Infrastructure Leveraging Private Investment · Speech Transcript

Jim Redeker, Commissioner, CT Dept. of Transportation

Capital Investment and Transit Service Plan in the NV Corridor · PowerPoint Presentation

Tim Sullivan, Deputy Commissioner, CT DECD

Invigorating Connecticut’s Cities and Downtowns · PowerPoint Presentation

Mark Nielsen, Director of Planning & Deputy Director, NVCOG

Evolving Trends and Issues

Laura Brown, Community and Economic Development Educator, UConn Extension

People and Places: Framing the New Economy

David Fink, Former Policy Director, Partnership for Strong Communities

Housing and Transit: Dollars and Sense!

Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess, Borough of Naugatuck

TOD Model: Public/Private Partnerships

Mark Nielsen, Laura Brown, David Fink, & Mayor Pete Hess

Panel Discussion:  Developing Economically Sustainable Communities  · PowerPoint Presentation

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy

Video Remarks: Federal Investment to Spur Economic Development

Joe McGee, VP Public Policy and Programs, Business Council of Fairfield County

Links and Partnerships Between Regions

David Carol, Project Manager, JV Team, NEC FUTURE

NEC FUTURE: Our Future on Track  · Powerpoint Presentation

Mark Nielsen, Director of Planning & Deputy Director, NVCOG

Transforming Transportation in the Naugatuck Valley Region  · PowerPoint Presentation

Joe McGee, David Carol, Mark Nielsen

Speaker Series:  Linking the Region

Kevin Lembo, Comptroller of the State of Connecticut

The New Railroad:  Infrastructure for the New Economy  · PowerPoint Presentation