The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) will host its GrowSMART Regional Summit Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Riverhouse in Haddam. Drop-in any time between 4 and 8 p.m. to share your vision for the region’s economic future. This event will include a short presentation on the state of the local regional economy, interactive brainstorming exercises, and the opportunity to network with fellow residents.
Participants will assist in brainstorming big ideas for the region, and help create a strategy that grows and strengthens the economy, yet preserves what makes this region special.
Children’s activities and refreshments will be provided. The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station is located at 55 Bridge Road, Haddam, CT 06438.
If you are unable to attend the Regional Summit, the same workshop will be taken on the road through early October. Look for the GrowSMART Pop-Up Workshop around the region and stop by to share your input and vision.
- CONFIRMED – Sept. 28 at the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Business to Business Expo from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at booth #407. The Expo is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell.
- CONFIRMED – Sept. 28 at the Regional Planning Committee meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the RiverCOG Offices, 145 Dennison Rd. in Essex.
- Tentative – Sept. 30, at the East Haddam Farmer’s Market
- Tentative – Oct. 3, at the East Hampton Harvest Festival
- Tentative – Oct. 7, at the Old Saybrook Farmer’s Market
- Tentative – Oct. 8, at the Middletown South Green Farmer’s Market
The Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments is an association of 17 towns with each represented by its chief elected official. Its mission involves facilitating solutions and planning between the 17 towns, the State of Connecticut, federal agencies, and nonprofits for land use, transportation, agriculture, emergency management, conservation, and economic development.
One of its key goals is to encourage a safe and open venue to discuss shared regional options and projects. Fulfilling this mission had led RiverCOG to launch a new and exciting project titled, GrowSMART. The purpose of GrowSMART is to research how the region can collaborate to attract workers, and retain and grow businesses while also conserving the natural resources that are so vital to the region’s infrastructure, housing values, and tourism industry.
As you drive, walk, or bike around the region in September and October, you will start to notice signs, posters and banners around town such as the one shown to the left or see an advertisements while reading a local newspaper or local online news. The signs or advertisements may ask a question, such as: “Why can’t you find qualified help?” or “Who is going to buy your house”?
Why is RiverCOG asking these questions?
The answer is that its Regional Strategic Economic Growth Committee is working with Ninigret Partners to create a regional economic growth strategy and is seeking your input. RiverCOG invites you to visit the project website at www.GrowSMARTregion.org to learn about its travelling mobile workshop and note dates of the upcoming public forums to which all are welcome
There is also an opportunity at the www.GrowSMARTregion.org website to submit your ideas directly and for up-to-date information on Pop-Up Workshop locations and future events.