Community & Economic Development
The Northwest Hills COG boundary doubles as a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated Economic Development District (EDD). As an EDD, we help lead a locally-based, regionally driven economic development planning process that leverages the involvement of the public, private, and non-profit sectors to establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a strategy-driven blueprint that guides economic prosperity and resiliency in the region.
2024-2029 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Northwest Connecticut:
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The current CEDS was developed through extensive public outreach efforts and a strategic planning process that was led by the Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Collaborative (EDC). The EDC is comprised of members having a broad-based representation of regional stakeholders.
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The five core focus areas of the CEDS are:
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Addressing the housing needs of the region
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Encourage business growth and expansion
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Support workforce development that aligns with the needs of the regional business sectors
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Increase tourism in the region and
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Strengthen the Creative Economy.
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Find more information about the Economic Development Collaborative Committee, here.
The Northwest Hills COG staff and members of the EDC work collaboratively to implement the tasks identified in the CEDS to achieve these goals.
The CEDS was developed in partnership with the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Hills Council of Governments and funded in part by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
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Other economic development links:
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Affordable Housing: Land Use Commissioner Training (January 2026)
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Northwest CT Chapter of SCORE’s “Starting a Small Business in Northwest Connecticut: A Basic Guide“
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Northwestern Connecticut Regional Planning Collaborative’s Village Center Vitality Current Conditions Report (2010) and Strategies Report (2010)
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Economic Development Districts | U.S. Economic Development Administration (eda.gov)
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Mad River BAR Grant: Updates and Recordings
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Broad description of project and BAR Project Area
The Mad River runs along the South side of Main Street; the project area includes approximately 1,273 linear feet along the Mad River and 9 properties totaling 12.3 acres right in the center of Downtown Winsted. There are floodplain areas along the River, but the majority of the project area is out of the 100 & 500 year flood plain. These properties, while not on the historic registry, are historically significant to the Town of Winsted as they represent the community’s industrial heritage.
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This project area straddles two census blocks BG 3, tract 3202 & BG4, tract 3202. BG 4, 3202 has a median age of 87.3 with a per capita income of $36, 580 and BG 3, 3202 has an average age of 59.7 with a per capita income of $56,212. Both Census Tracts, along with the entire Town, have an aging demographic and income below Winsted’s Median Household Income.
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It is necessary to create both a vibrant downtown and housing alternatives that attract a qualified workforce and families to the community. This study area is positioned between residential neighborhoods and downtown, making it a prime location for mixed-use development that provides housing opportunity and adds to the vibrancy of downtown Winsted; however, environmental conditions and overall lack of confidence in return on investment have prohibited this revitalization. The vision for this study is to identify the opportunities in this neighborhood to help revitalize these blighted, underused properties in a way that supports the overall goals of the community and creates a redevelopment plan that attracts attention from private investors and developers.