On July 1, 2025, NVCOG was designated as the administrative agent for the Naugatuck Valley Corridor Economic Development District (NVC EDD). All 19 NVCOG member municipalities form the NVC EDD.
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 a strategy-driven plan that contributes to effective economic development in communities and regions through a locally based, regionally driven process.
Public Comment Period Open: Draft 2026–2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The Naugatuck Valley Corridor Economic Development District (NVC EDD), in partnership with the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), has released the draft 2026–2031 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for public review and comment.
About this Strategy
The CEDS serves as the region’s economic development roadmap and identifies priorities, strategies, and implementation actions intended to strengthen the regional economy, support job growth, improve infrastructure and transportation systems, encourage workforce and housing initiatives, revitalize downtowns and industrial properties, and enhance long-term economic resilience.
How to Participate
The draft CEDS is available for a 30-day public comment period beginning May 12, 2026 and ending June 11, 2026.
Members of the public, partner organizations, businesses, municipalities, and stakeholders are encouraged to review the document and submit comments, recommendations, or suggested revisions.
Please submit all comments to:
Drew Baklik
Director of Municipal Affairs
dbaklik@nvcogct.gov
Next Steps
Following the public comment period, the draft CEDS will be considered for endorsement by the NVCOG Board prior to submission to the State of Connecticut and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
2025 Annual Report
The most recent annual update shared progress from July 2024 – June 2025.
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-used spaces across the region
- NVCOG worked on trail design and expansion along the Naugatuck River
A Tool for Collaboration
Through the CEDS, NVCOG helps engage community leaders, leverages private sector involvement, and sets a blueprint for regional collaboration.
The plan provides a capacity-building foundation for the public sector to work with individuals, businesses, and industries to create the conditions for regional economic prosperity.
A Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) guides the development of the CEDS.
The Board includes:
- Municipal chief elected officials
- Economic development directors
- Representatives from regional chambers of commerce
- Economic development corporations
- Workforce development entities
- Utility providers
The Strategic Advisory Board not only guides staff in the creation of the 5-year CEDS, but also steers the annual updates to the plan, which NVCOG submits to U.S. EDA by June 30th each year.
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 includes this data in annual reports and supports the creation of economic strategic plans.
To access the most recent demographic data, view the following resources:
Staff Contact
Drew Baklik
Director of Municipal Affairs
dbaklik@nvcogct.gov