Why would engineers, appraisers, brokers, pension fund investors, environmental professionals and attorneys join the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS)? Well it seems obvious to us. Let's see if you agree.
Our mission says that CEDAS, the Connecticut Economic Development Association, is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development within the state of Connecticut. The Association encourages communication among its members by providing a forum for discussion and information exchange.
Why does this matter to the private sector?
For over 40 years CEDAS has been the recognized professional trade organization for professionals in the economic development field. We represent well over 250 professionals in communities across Connecticut. Our members include the economic development professionals and Economic Development Commission members in the communities that you work with on behalf of your customers. These economic developers work with their local land use commissions to support your projects during local and Connecticut permitting process and to act as your advocate in town halls and other regional planning and permitting agencies.
We also have many members who are conduits to funding for projects statewide and those who develop policy and legislation that affects your industry. We also work with many other trade organizations to help improve the business climate throughout Connecticut such as ICSC, CT APA, CORNETT and many others.
CEDAS provides professional training and programming to its members so that they are best able to react to professional trends and economic needs that affect the state economy. These training opportunities are primarily done in partnership with the Community Builders Institute. (http://www.cl-p.com/business/economicdevelopment/communitybuildersinstitute.aspx
As a private sector member you would have significant opportunities to meet many economic developers at programs and training with the additional benefit of discount rates. We offer numerous networking and training opportunities on topics that are critical to professionals in the real estate and development related professions. This past year there were workshops in government financing of redevelopment projects, many smart growth related topics as well as how to plan and finance brownfield redevelopment.
CEDAS members also include state and regional professionals that often support initiatives for making Connecticut a business destination. For example CEDAS is routinely at the table with Connecticut legislators and state agencies such as Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Dept. of Transportation (DOT), Dept. of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and other important trade organizations such as Connecticut Business Industry Association (CBIA) and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC).
We look forward to having you at the table with us so that we can work on behalf of good development around the state and so we can advocate for the economic policy for all citizens of Connecticut.
Our membership costs are extremely reasonable. Visit us at www.cedas.org or feel free to contact me to discuss how we can help you.

Dale Kroop is the president of the Conn. Economic Development Assn. and director of economic and community development in Hamden.