CERC Awards

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional, State Federal Links Docs"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Links NW CT"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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Assoc.)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Bronze Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Parker Productions</B></div> <div> <B>Winvian</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B>Northwest Connecticut Economic Development Corporation</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    </B><B>|</B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006600" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Northwest Connecticut Economic Developme"><B>home</B></A></FONT></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 width="100%" colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>CERC Awards</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="800" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#EEEEEE > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 4575 WIDTH="800"><div> <B>NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC GROWTH INITIATIVES</B></div> <div> <B>FEATURED AT CERC'S YEAR END EVENT - CELEBRATE CT!</B></div> <div> CERC's Annual Statewide Event held at the Bushnell, December 7, 2011</div> <div> <IMG SRC="1dae31f0.jpg" border=0 width="483" height="287" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC), a nonprofit company that promotes Connecticut as a competitive business location, and Northwest Connecticut's economic development professionals  honored top local economic development programs, Northwestern Connecticut Community College - nursing program and manufacturing SMART initiative, and Becton, Dickinson & Company, at CERC's annual event 'CELEBRATE CT!' on December 7.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Award Winners</U></B></div> <div> <B>Northwestern CT Community College & Becton-Dickinson (BD) - North Canaan</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1d980e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Northwestern Community College, located in Winsted, recently added a nursing program to help meet the increasing demand for health care workers. Sharon Hospital, New Milford Hospital and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington all provide medical services for the residents in NW CT. An increasing shortage of certified nursing assistants was identified as a major issue. NWCC addressed this need with the establishment of the two year nursing program. </div> <bR> <div> Another recent initiative by NCCC has been a pilot program to provide local manufacturers with skilled workers. Area manufacturers have consistently identified the need for a highly skilled workforce as a high priority. An aging workforce nearing retirement age has created a need to train and hire younger skilled workers.  NCCC recently collaborated with three local manufacturers to provide advanced technical training in a pilot program designated as 'SMART' (Skills for Manufacturing and Related Technologies) Training. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1db5f720.jpg" border=0 width="607" height="370" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> L-R: Melanie Suter (BD), Catherine Smith (DECD Commissioner), Dave Anderson (BD), Bob Santy (CERC)</div> <div> Global medical technology company Becton Dickinson & Company (BD) recently celebrated its 50th year of operations at its medical plant in North Canaan. In 1961, BD began manufacturing its first wave of disposable plastic syringes in Canaan. The original 25,000-sq-ft building housed just eight associates - a year later they purchased a 77-acre tract of land and broke ground to construct a 55,000-sq-ft state-of-the-art plant. Since then, BD expanded the facility eight times and now employs more than 300 associates. BD, the largest manufacturer of disposable syringes in the world, has also made a major commitment to being an environmentally responsible production facility. Since 2008, the site produces green power acquired renewable energy credits while reducing its energy consumption by 38% and its water use by 4.7 million gallons each year. In February 2011, BD - Canaan announced that it no longer sends manufacturing waste to landfill and has dramatically increased its recycling efforts to accomplish that goal. </div> <bR> <div> Regions across the state were invited to designate two award honorees - a company or a project, program, organization or individual, for their contribution to their local economy in 2011. The committee considers companies, people or projects for their long tenure in the region; consistent or growing employment levels, role in changing the character of its community or some measure of civic engagement. A project might represent strong public/private collaboration to bring new investment or employment to the region, or to improve infrastructure in a way that encourages new private investment. An individual might be recognized for leadership that has motivated changes resulting in economic growth or regional improvements. </div> <bR> <div> More than 150 economic development and business professionals attend CELEBRATE CT! to network with their economic development and business counterparts from around the state and to see firsthand winning examples of innovation and perseverance despite the most challenging economic times in decades.</div> <bR> <div> "These awards underscore the tenacity of the state's regional organizations and their continued commitment and dedication to the growth of Connecticut," said CERC President and CEO Robert Santy. "Each region partners with us to identify and acknowledge some of the year's most outstanding economic development projects, programs and leaders, and CERC is very pleased to feature them at this celebratory year-end event."</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Honorable Mention</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1dc80e00.jpg" border=0 width="640" height="480" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Infinity Hall, Norfolk</B></div> <div> Built in 1883 in picturesque Norfolk in northwest Connecticut, Infinity Hall is an intimate music, dining and entertainment destination. Newly renovated, the historic building features its original proscenium stage and wood, as well as many other notable details. Whether it's dinner and a show, high quality casual dining or simply drinks and music you're seeking, Infinity Music Hall & Bistro can provide it.</div> <bR> <div> The music hall seats 300, ensuring each and every seat provides front row entertainment. Newly renovated, the hall hosts more than 200 music and entertainment shows by quality national and regional artists annually. Infinity Bistro, the music-themed restaurant and bar, serves gourmet delights and spirits.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Fuel Cell Energy</B></div> <div> Based in Danbury with a manufacturing plant in Torrington, Fuel Cell Energy manufactures ultra-clean stationary fuel cell power plants that generate electricity with up to twice the efficiency of conventional fossil fuel plants - and with virtually no air pollution. With more than 30 years of experience, they are recognized as a global leader in the manufacture and commercialization of stationary electric power generation. The manufacturing plant in Torrington has a production capacity of up to 90 MW per year. Danbury is the hub for the company's GTAC (Global Technical Assistance Center) which remotely monitors and operates DFC power plants worldwide. The company's Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plants have generated over 900 million kW hours of electricity and currently has over 50 installations worldwide. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Alcoa Howmet (Winsted)</B></div> <div> Alcoa Howmet's Winsted machining facility is a global supplier of precision-machined turbine airfoils for the aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets.</div> <bR> <div> The Winsted facility contains 81,000 square feet. This operation has 25 years' experience in this location (29 years' experience overall) machining complex shapes to exacting standards. It also has an established track record of managing developmental, derivative, and mature-engine programs. Alcoa Howmet's machining operation is uniquely qualified to satisfy customers' needs for engine-ready components.</div> <bR> <div> Since March 2011, Alcoa-Howmet in Winsted has hired 27 new employees and currently has 5 more openings that will hopefully be filled before the end of the year.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Community Involvement:</U></div> <div> Alcoa Foundation - is one of the largest corporate foundations in the US with assets over $436 million dollars. In 2010, the Foundation contributed nearly $20 million dollars to NGOs around the world. Alcoa Foundation develops global partnerships and works with the communities in which they operate to fund projects designed to address community needs, particularly in the areas of conservation and sustainability with a focus on climate change. </div> <bR> <div> In 2011 the top 3 needs were: Supporting improvements in education for our youth and at risk youth, supporting improvements in the quality of education, maintaining existing and attracting new jobs, and skills training and development in the global marketplace.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Foundation Grants in 2011 were awarded to: </U></div> <div> Connecticut Junior Republic for use in the implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) standards across the academic and vocational curriculum. The program include a number of workforce development opportunities, with students given opportunities to acquire a practical knowledge-base and understanding that will assist them in obtaining competitive employment in local industry, as well as job mentoring and professional mentoring.</div> <bR> <div> NW Region District 7 will implement an after school Robotics Team capable of competing in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology) events. This team is designed to help high school students discover the rewards of the profession of engineering. This course will enable students to bridge the gap between the theory of mathematics taught in the classroom and its application in engineering. </div> <bR> <div> NW Conservation District will work with regional planning agencies, town leaders, ETF-energy task force volunteers and students from Naugatuck Valley and Northwestern Community Colleges and other schools. The Community teams will collect energy usage data and conduct energy surveys of their buildings, set energy priorities and develop energy saving plans.</div> <bR> <div> NW Chamber of Commerce will be using their multiyear grant to fund their annual Read Aloud program.</div> <bR> <div> United Way - Alcoa-Howmet is a corporate sponsor for the Torrington Chapter of United Way and sponsors and participates in the annual Day of Caring events.</div> <bR> <div> <U>ACTION Events</U> - (Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighborhoods) recognizes the team efforts of Alcoa employees who spend a minimum of four hours on a community service project for a local nonprofit/non-governmental organization. In recognition of the team's effort, Alcoa will make a contribution to the nonprofit organization of either $1,500 or $3,000, depending on the size of the team. This year our plant participated in 10 different ACTION events benefiting: the American Mural Project, Camp Moe, FISH, Earth Day Event at Hurlbert Field, NW CT Arts Council, NW CT Chamber Carnival, Pleasant Valley Child Care, Terryville Animal Shelter, Brooker Memorial, and Bubbles and Truffles event.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>American Mural Project</B></div> <div> The American Mural Project is a 501(c)(3) organization with an unusual approach to arts education. It is involved in the creation of the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world - a mural 120 feet long, five stories high, and up to ten feet deep. A tribute to working Americans, this mural is the center of the organization's educational program.</div> <bR> <div> Over 10,000 kids in diverse communities across the country have now worked with AMP on projects in their communities to create pieces of the mural. A multi-subject curriculum based on the mural is now in pilot programs in local schools; an online version is in development.</div> <bR> <div> Two former mill buildings will house the mural and an adjacent visitor's center, which will become a destination for field trips, guest lectures, and workshops with local artists and artisans, as well as the onsite portion of AMP's curriculum.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>KidsMarathon</B></div> <div> More than 400 local elementary school students ran one mile on the track at the Plumb Hill Playing Fields in Litchfield on Saturday, June 11, 2011 to complete Rod Dixon's KidsMarathon program. </div> <bR> <div> Dixon, a native of New Zealand, Olympic bronze medal winner in the 1500 meters in 1972, and 1983 New York City Marathon champion brought KidsMarathon to Litchfield four years ago to promote exercise and healthy eating among elementary school students. </div> <bR> <div> Twenty-seven students participated the first year, all from Litchfield. KidsMarathon has since exploded across the state. More than 2,000 students from dozens of schools ran the equivalent of a marathon's 26.2 miles over an eight-week period this past spring. They also learned about proper nutrition. </div> <bR> <div> Initiated by the Litchfield Hills Food System, KidsMarathon is now supported by the Connecticut Association of Schools and is expanding into a state-wide program with multiple sites.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Arts as an Economic Driver on Main Street</B></div> <div> The Torrington Development Corporation recently participated in a project entitled "Arts as an Economic Driver on Main Street" in conjunction with UConn-Torrington. Results of the study will help to guide future directions to revitalize the downtown section of Torrington built around existing performing arts anchors including the Warner Theater and Nutmeg Ballet</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Charlotte Hungerford Hospital</B></div> <div> The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is the largest regional employer in the twenty towns of Northwest CT with over 1,000 employees. As the premiere healthcare provider in northwest Connecticut, Charlotte provides quality, compassionate and cost-effective services that continually meet and exceed patient needs. Each member of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital family is ever mindful of patient expectations, and always strives to meet them<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>About CERC</B></div> <div> Based in Rocky Hill, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation and public-private partnership that provides objective research, marketing and economic development services consistent with making Connecticut a more competitive business environment.  For more information, visit <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.cerc.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cerc.com">www.cerc.com</A></FONT> and connect to CERC on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter (@cercinc)</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>