Regional Economic Clusters Ø Manufacturing: continues to be a vital component of the overall economy. As an industry Manufacturing constitutes 15.1 percent of Connecticut’s total employment. In our region goods production constitutes 20 percent of our economy. While the number of jobs in manufacturing continues to decline in the state and the region, the state is still second in the nation in high value-added manufacturing per production worker at $189,750 (2002 dollars). Manufacturing employment contributes about $550 million on an annual basis to the region’s economy.
o To remain competitive,
§ Support the efforts of the Chamber’s Manufacturing Council, the Smaller Manufacturers’ Association, the Manufacturing Alliance of Connecticut and other trade organizations that support manufacturing efforts
§ Support the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Legislative Agenda
§ Protect all previously enacted legislation that is beneficial to the manufacturing community:
Ø Health Care and Health Services: is the largest employment sector in the region. 15 percent of the region’s jobs are in health services. Health services contribute almost $440 million annually to the region’s economy.
o To support hospitals, health care, health services and long-term care providers,
Support the agenda of the Connecticut Hospital Association which states that efforts need to be made to:
· Enhance the quality and safety of patient care through initiatives in education, data analysis, effective measurement and reporting and information sharing
§ Ensure access to coverage and care for all Connecticut citizens through initiatives for expanding access to health insurance coverage and reducing the number of uninsured individuals
§ Create a more efficient health care delivery system by focusing on regulatory oversight of improving patient care delivery without increasing unnecessary administrative burdens, and information sharing to enhance hospital efficiencies
§ Strengthen the financial health of our hospitals by securing fair and adequate hospital reimbursement and assisting hospitals in reducing costs in the areas of information technology, insurance and purchasing
§ Reform the mental health system by providing access to care for those who need it and by providing adequate payment to hospitals for that care
§ Build a stronger healthcare workforce through short and long-term collaborative efforts
§ Strengthen public support for our hospitals by raising awareness of the contributions our hospitals make to the overall well being of our community
Infrastructure Needs The link between economic development and infrastructure, particularly roads; sewers and water supply; and energy is indisputable. Our legislators need to support infrastructure initiatives that will improve economic development opportunities throughout the region.
o With regard to transportation:
§ Work with the Transportation Strategy Board to insure that the Greater Waterbury region receives adequate infrastructure investment. Insure that the interests of the business community are represented in the I-84 and Coastal Corridor Transportation Investment Areas
· Support improvements to the Interstate 84 and Route 8
· Support efforts to improve rail service between Waterbury and Bridgeport
· Support efforts to redirect Route 69 to facilitate further retail development along the Wolcott St. & Lakewood Rd. corridor
o With regard to telecommunications:
§ Encourage competition among providers and new investment in Connecticut’s high technology infrastructure by enacting rules which foster new broadband networks and the spread of new Internet related services over these networks
§ Ensure that Connecticut’s tax policies subject competing providers of similar services to the same taxes.
Ø REGIONAL PRIORITIES: the Greater Waterbury region has benefited in recent years by the significant amount of support from the regions elected leadership at the state and federal level. The following initiatives are designed first and foremost to assist this region; however, several of the initiatives create state wide benefits as well. o Regional Collaboration § Support the development of a regional economic alliance to foster cooperation between public and private sectors to further the economic growth of our region and encourage regional cooperation to build a sustainable economy for Waterbury and the Central Naugatuck Valley. Identify seed monies to get the initiative off the ground § Support the enhancement and further development of our region’s key industries to include: hospitals and health care, manufacturing, and retail LOCAL INITIATIVES Ø Continue to support the efforts of the Waterbury Development Corporation to attract and retain businesses in the city of Waterbury; to improve the city’s neighborhoods and its business center Ø Continue to supported the efforts of Main Street Waterbury to improve the city’s central business district and to shape the downtown as the symbolic center of the Greater Waterbury region Ø Continue to support the City’s Legislative Agenda including funding for the regional multi-modal transportation center; capital improvements to the Silas Bronson Library; and funding to the WDC for a small business revolving loan fund Ø Continue to support the Renaissance Place project in downtown Naugatuck Ø Continue to support the efforts of the Town of Southbury to expand its commercial base while maintaining its unique character through open space acquisition Ø Continue to support the development of the Waterbury-Oxford Airport Foreign Trade Zone Ø Support the efforts of the Watertown Economic Development Commission Ø CITY OF WATERBURY INITIATIVES § Support the City of Waterbury’s effort to maintain its long term financial integrity by monitoring its progress toward the recommendations set forth in the Final Report of the City of Waterbury Financial Planning and Assistance Board § Appeal of certain provisions of the State’s Education funding formula (ECS) that adversely affects the city of Waterbury’s budget § Oppose the downsizing of the downtown Waterbury Post Office § Eliminate binding arbitration as it currently exists § Initiate efforts to enhance the quality of Pre-K-20 education throughout the region, focusing specifically on the City of Waterbury and the education services provided to city residents § Support the recommendations of the Governor’s Early Childhood Investment Plan § Support efforts to provide adequate funding for Special Education programs by separating Special Education funding form the ECS formula. |
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OVERVIEW OF AGENDA PRIORITIES
POLICY INITIATIVES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ø BROWNFIELDS
o Support the recommendations of the statewide Brownfields Task Force
Ø DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
o Support expansion/enhancement of the city’s Enterprise Zone boundaries to include the Central Business District (Census Tract 3501) and extend benefits
BUSINESS CLIMATE
Ø ENERGY POLICY
o Support legislation which provides cost-effective solutions and which includes a sound and equitable infrastructure replacement/development plan
o Develop alternative sources of energy
Ø HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM
o Support policies that provid e the highest level of health care at the lowest possible cost
Ø SUPPORT FOR MANUFACTURERS
o Support Research and Development Tax Credits as promulgated by the National Association of Manufacturers
Ø TAX AVOIDANCE
o Oppose legislation that would impose the so-called “millionaires” tax
o Reject measures that would increase the cost of doing business, such as:
Ø Repealing worker’s compensation reforms or workers’ compensations costs
Ø Expanding unemployment compensation eligibility and increasing unemployment compensation benefits
Ø Expanding employer obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act
STATE BUDGET BALANCING
Ø Support review of the State’s policy regarding its spending cap, but oppose any efforts to create new taxes on business to support changes in the spending cap
Ø Balance the state budget without imposing any new or increased tax liability on business
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Ø BROWNFIELDS
o Support legislation that provides a dedicated funding source for Brownfields Remediation
Ø DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
o Support additional funding for Incumbent Worker Training programs
Ø INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
o Expedite the Environmental Impact Statement for the Regional Multi-Modal Transportation Center
o Secure $ 5 million for capital improvements to the Silas Bronson Library
o Secure $10 million for the WDC’s Revolving Loan Fund