Organization Seeks to Serve as Economic Growth Catalyst for Stamford, Southwestern Connecticut

Launched in the midst of the pandemic, the nonprofit business development organization Catalyst for Connecticut began with a blunt assessment of it’s Fairfield County-centered region of focus:

“Southwestern Connecticut has long been Connecticut’s economic engine. But the engine has slowed, and cost of living increases are hurting local residents. We need to change the dynamic. Fairfield County and its residents deserve a clearly defined path for Progressive Economic Growth.”

The organization came together just months after the demise of the Business Council for Fairfield County, previously known as the Southwestern Area Commerce and Industry Association (SACIA), which had for five decades served as the focal point for economic development initiatives across the region.  The Business Council, citing the impact of the pandemic, ceased operations.

Catalyst for Connecticut, based in Stamford, points out that “an investment in the next two years is a down-payment on an ongoing infrastructure that could create a more fertile environment for those interested in promoting growth.” The focus is on advocating for smart growth policies that benefit Southwestern Connecticut and its local taxpayers.

“Now is the time for us to make an investment in our communities in order to create a more fertile economic environment for all. This is a critical time for Southwestern Connecticut. Catalyst will help make the most of this important moment by convening and educating residents, local businesses, and representative organizations around core issues and best practices for growing our local economy,” said Josh Fedeli, President of Catalyst for Connecticut, told CT by the Numbers.  

“By providing tools and information about how to best advocate for key issues impacting growth in our part of the state, our hope is that Catalyst will help create more informed debates, reach consensus on tough issues, and move forward into a vibrant economic future,” Fedeli noted.

The organization’s website adds that “Together, a new coalition can take proactive steps to strategically engage on the grassroots level to improve the climate in which businesses exist and ensure that the growth continues to occur starting with the corner store all the way to the Fortune 500 company considering relocating to Connecticut.”  Catalyst for Connecticut looks to “convene civic leaders, major institutions, and businesses to harness the collective physical, human, and resource capital in the region in order to drive economic growth.”

The 8-member team leading the effort, according to the website, include local business executives President Josh Fedeli, along with Lisa Feinberg, Erik Findeisen, William Healy, Laura Jordan, and David Kooris.  Kooris is a former Deputy Commissioner of the State Department of Economic and Community Development who now serves as President of Stamford Downtown; Jordan previously served as Assistant Treasurer for Policy in the Office of State Treasurer.  Fedeli, a Stamford native, heads the Stamford Democratic City Committee. 

Looking ahead, they see opportunity:  “Our state has already seen an influx of new residents interested in moving here during the COVID pandemic. And as we now hopefully prepare to come out of this dark period throughout 2021, Southwestern Connecticut has an opportunity to be ahead of the curve regrowing its economy,” the website proclaims.

Last summer, the organization pointed out that “Connecticut elected officials should not lose sight of the lessons learned in its recovery from the Great Recession, because the stakes are just as high and local businesses remain on the brink.”  Last month, they noted that “over the last 10 months, small businesses across the state have fought to remain open due to the global pandemic. Unfortunately, too many have been forced to close their doors.”  They encouraged local officials “to avoid taking steps as we wait to overcome this global pandemic that could hinder the growth of our community’s economy at such a vulnerable time.”

Among other issues, Catalyst is urging caution in local zoning changes in Stamford related to structures under the watchful eyes of state historic preservation officials, and plans to become involved in affordable housing efforts, according to published reports. The organization’s website currently highlights economic development resources available in Stamford, Norwalk and Fairfield, and seeks to continue building membership and activism in local, regional, and state economic development initiatives.