REX Development has received the South Central Connecticut's Economic Development District designation (EDD) from the Economic Development Administration. Effective December 2, 2011, the designation is the first within the State of Conn. In his approval letter, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez expressed confidence in the region's ability to implement programs to support and grow the region's economy. He wrote, "I trust that the designation will lead to success in attracting private capital investment and the creation of new and higher-skill, higher-wage job opportunities to the South Central Connecticut region."
The fifteen communities included in the designation are Bethany, Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Milford, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.
"The designation will provide essential support for the region's economic development programs. To create jobs, we need the flexibility to utilize federal funding throughout the region, not just in the economically distressed cities," said Ginny Kozlowski, executive director of REX Development.