IN THIS ISSUE

 August 19: Annual Meeting of the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance (EAMA).  Holiday Inn, Norwich, 4:30pm.  Visit EAMA's Web Site for additional information.

        

     
On behalf of the CEDS Implementation Committee, seCTer has sent all municipalities a list of  development projects in their communities for review and updates.  Towns are also asked to send new proposed projects that may be eligible for EDA funding, and that have regional impacts, to seCTer, with their status.  The committee will be reviewing all regional projects for the Annual Report to be sent to EDA for review. 

One of the Vital projects in the CEDS was an upgrade of freight rail lines from the Port of New London to the Massachusetts border.  This project involves the Genessee and Wyoming Railroad.  A TIGER Grant application was submitted by the State of CT, with widespread regional support and a match of $2 Million from the G&W Railroad.  The State of CT is also allocating $3.6 Million for bridge repair on these lines.  This is a critical project for the region both for freight traffic and for future passenger rail.  We hope to hear positive news on the grant shortly.

PTAP NEWS

CLUSTER NEWS
             The 2011 CEDS identified six economic "clusters" driving the economy of Southeastern CT.  Following are recent news items on activities within those clusters.

AGRICULTURE:  Value added agriculture has been a winning regional success story for several years, including the launch and growth of the Farmer's Cow , the growing number of regional wineries  producing very good wine, and the opening of award winning Mystic Cheese, among other new and growing enterprises.  One of the most  interesting stories is that of Maple Lane Farms in Preston, whose owner Allyn Brown has been processing his crops of black currants into a delicious juice for several years and getting it out into the market.  In June Brown announced that he would be opening a greatly expanded manufacturing facility in the Norwich Business Park, with a new corporate identity as the Norwich Beverage Co.  He currently bottles not only his one Black Currant Juice, but also juice products for the Farmer's Cow and other companies.  Mr. Brown and partners JP Mereen of Norwich and William Sweeney of New London have started up another enterprise, "Foggy Harbor Vodka,"a growing concern, producing what is already an award winning spirit!

EB officials.  "This award has great significance for the U.S. Navy, our company and the entire submarine industrial base," said Jeffrey S. Geiger, president of Electric Boat. "By continuing to produce two ships per year, the Navy and industry team retains the stability required to achieve increased efficiencies, providing the fleet with the submarines it needs to sustain the nation's undersea dominance."   Following up on this good news, EB held a contractor summit on June 16 attended by some 300 manufacturers, at UConn Avery Point in Groton.  The event was intended to make smaller businesses in CT and nearby RI and MA aware of the opportunities to subcontract with EB.  The conference was co-sponsored by Congressman Joe Courtney and US Trade Office Representative Anne Evens. Read the full story on this successful event.

TOURISM: Early this summer an icon of the region's tourism, the former Inn at Mystic, underwent significant and ongoing restoration under new owners. The restaurant is now open,and as are rooms in the inn, which are being renovated gradually.  We are all glad to have this lovely place once again available to visitors (and residents) to enjoy.  Other news that is an on-going story is the establishment of a Thames Maritime Heritage Park in Groton and New London, encompassing the historic harbor area, including many historic sites, and anchored by Forts Griswold and Trumbull, the New London Waterfront Park and the US Nautilus and Submarine Museum.  The park has long been in the works, but activity slowed to a stop some years ago for a variety of reasons until a dedicated group of residents, spearheaded by the Avery Copp House board, resuscitated the idea, hired the Yale School of Urban Design to update planning, and encouraged the CT State Legislature to streamline the original legislation establishing the park.  On September 6 the plan will be introduced to the public
 in Groton immediately proceeding the Observance of the 1781 Battle of Ft Griswold. 

Bird's Eye View of Thames River Heritage Park, hand-drawn by Yale intern.

The Park Committee is working on organizing a Water Taxi shuttle with possible State funding to begin with a month long trial in September.






MARITIME:  The Coast Guard recently unveiled its newest unit at the home of the CG Research and Development Center in New London.  A ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by VIPs from NOAA, the Navy, Congress and the Coast Guard, was held on June 3 on the new one-of-a-kind modeling and simulation center located at the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London. The 3,200-square-foot Modeling and Simulation Center of Expertise on the first floor of One Chelsea Street in Ft. Trumbull will allow the Coast Guard to transfer in-house many functions formerly performed by private contractors, primarily those determining the best allocation of resources and the needs for procurement of advanced technology and ships for the Service. It will create efficiencies and cost savings for the service in their missions to protect our shorelines, monitor the maritime

Capt. Alan Aresenault at ribbon cutting.

environment and oversee marine safety. "The center will house the best and brightest operations research experts and the myriad of tools needed to answer those what-if questions posed by the Coast Guard Capabilities Directorate and area commanders,"said Capt. Alan Arsenault, RDC commanding officer.
          In other news at the RDC, on June 27 Capt. Arsenault passed command at the Center to Capt. Dennis Evans.  Welcome aboard Capt. .Evans!

CREATIVE: Wendy Bury, new director of   The Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition is busy establishing the coalition as a force for artists and the cultural community of the region.  All regional stakeholders, both those in the arts and individuals, organizations and businesses that recognize the value of a robust cultural life to the the economy and the people of Southeastern CT are invited to sign on to the Coalition as a supporter!  No strings, just your support.  Visit the web site to learn more and to join this exciting initiative.  All are welcome -- even those of us who consider ourselves artistically challenged!
          For those you might question the relationship of "work" and the arts, you are also invited to visit and participate in one of the many events in the region this fall sponsored by the CT Humanities Council associated with the Project "Connecticut At Work."  Great way to learn how people work now, and how they worked then, through the eyes of photographers, historians and more!.

BIO-SCIENCE: The CT General Assembly has legislatively formalized  support for a Bio-Science initiative in Southeastern CT.  Another positive development was the formation of a state wide board to oversee funding allocated to advance bio-science state-wide including in southeastern CT.  The Southeastern CT Entrepreneurs Network has been proactive in discussing their issues and ideas for the Bio cluster in the region,particularly with members of the state legislature.  The group is actively planning another  exciting event for the membership and anyone interested in entrepreneurship and bio-science initiatives.  On October 8  four successful entrepreneurs will be offering up their insightsat the Mystic Marriott at 4:30pm,  with a networking reception to follow.  Invitations will be sent in early September.