What is a seCTer?
Members of the EDC recently met for an information session with representatives of the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer), the regional nonprofit economic development entity. Newly-minted Executive Director Paul Whitescarver started out his overview by saying "when I first became aware of this opportunity, my first question was "what is a seCTer?". Captain Whitescarver, retired from his post as commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, took over at seCTer in October of last year. His question is reflective of one of seCTer's biggest challenges: becoming known in the region.
Captain Paul Whitescarver, retired from his post as commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, took over at seCTer in October of last year.
By virtue of writing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the regions, seCTer was successful in gaining designation for New London County as an Economic Development District, which opens the potential for federal Economic Development Agency (EDA) grant awards. The 2017 CEDS is available for review on their website, and the seCTer Economic Development Committee is currently working on a 2022 update.
The Stonington EDC encourages small businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and firms interested in government contracts such as within the EB supply chain to become acquainted with seCTer. Programs and services offered include:
Loans: Small business lending for startup or expansion, including technical assistance to clients
Small Business Development consulting: business planning and decision-making, finding capital, market research, and more
Procurement Technical Assistance: acts as the state's Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to help businesses who want to secure government contracts for their services or products, unraveling the requirements for registration, bidding, and contract management.
Regional cooperation: facilitated through CEDS teams
Pandemic economic recovery support as business work to get back on their feet.
Customized economic development data
Grant application support, particularly for EDA projects
Site finding
Please contact the Stonington EDC to find out more about seCTer, or go directly to the seCTer website. The EDC is planning an event for this summer to introduce seCTer to the Stonington business community - stay tuned to Stonington1649 to find out when and where!