NVCOG administers the Naugatuck Valley Corridor Economic Development District, a federally recognized economic development district comprising all 19 NVCOG member municipalities. NVCOG assumed this role on July 1, 2025.
What is the NVC EDD?
The NVC EDD is a federally recognized economic development district designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). This designation enables the region to qualify for EDA funding opportunities by maintaining a current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
What is the CEDS?
The CEDS is the region’s five-year economic development roadmap. It identifies shared priorities, guides investment and funding efforts, and provides a framework for municipalities and regional partners to coordinate projects and measure progress.
2026–2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The Naugatuck Valley Corridor Economic Development District, administered by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, has completed its 2026–2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The CEDS was adopted by the NVCOG Board on June 12, 2026, and accepted by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The strategy covers the period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 and serves as the region’s five-year roadmap for economic development. It combines regional data, stakeholder input, strategic priorities, and implementation actions intended to strengthen the economy and expand opportunity throughout the NVC EDD’s 19 municipalities.
The CEDS is organized around four goals:
- Site Readiness & Industrial Competitiveness
Expand site readiness, redevelop legacy industrial properties, and improve infrastructure that supports business growth. - Workforce Access & Talent Development
Expand workforce participation and employer access to talent by addressing housing, mobility, training, and childcare barriers. - Downtowns, Placemaking & Visitor Economy
Revitalize downtown centers, strengthen placemaking, and grow the region’s tourism and visitor economy. - Regional Delivery & Capacity Building
Strengthen regional collaboration and help municipalities plan, finance, and implement economic development projects.
The CEDS will guide regional economic-development coordination and investment over the next five years. NVCOG, the NVC EDD Strategic Advisory Board, municipalities, and regional partners will use the strategy to advance projects, pursue funding, monitor progress, and prepare annual performance updates.
Final 2026-2031 CEDS Report
Interactive Hub Site
2025 CEDS Annual Report
This report summarizes regional economic-development activities completed during fiscal year 2025 under the previous CEDS cycle.
Key takeaways include:
- Major investments in transportation, housing, and downtown improvements
- Communities cleaned up former industrial sites to prepare for future development
- New apartments, storefronts, and mixed-use spaces across the region
- NVCOG worked on trail design and expansion along the Naugatuck River
A Tool for Collaboration
The CEDS brings municipal, business, workforce, educational, utility, nonprofit, and community partners together around shared regional priorities. It provides a practical framework for coordinating projects, pursuing funding, sharing expertise, and measuring progress.
The NVC EDD Strategic Advisory Board guided development of the 2026–2031 CEDS and will continue to support its implementation and annual performance reporting.
The Board brings together partners to review progress, identify emerging needs, and help advance regional priorities. This includes:
- Municipal officials
- Economic development professionals
- Representatives from regional chambers of commerce
- Economic development corporations
- Workforce development entities
- Utility providers
- Educational institutions
- Other regional partners
NVCOG also serves as the regional clearinghouse for economic development data. Each year, NVCOG updates and compiles information on labor force trends, employment, and demographic data from the following sources:
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Connecticut Department of Labor
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
NVCOG uses this information in annual reports and to support economic development planning throughout the region.
To access the most recent demographic data, view the following resources:
Staff Contact
Drew Baklik
Director of Municipal Affairs
dbaklik@nvcogct.gov