Economic Development District
seCTer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, designated by federal, state and local authorities as the Economic Development Organization (EDO) of the Economic Development District (EDD) of southeastern Connecticut.
Established in 1987, seCTer has operated Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Funds (RLF), State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Revolving Loan Funds and Indirect Loan Programs since 1993. As a non-traditional lender with EDA RLFs, seCTer provides technical assistance for non-bankable small businesses with the goal of transitioning them to bankable status. seCTer has experience in grant making and administration through DECD’s SBEP programs.
Since 2002, seCTer has developed, written and implemented the EDD’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS is a living document that serves as the region’s roadmap for economic development. seCTer coordinates input from hundreds of stakeholders, then synthesizing priorities into a readable, useable resource to align the region’s residents toward increasing wealth for all residents. The 2022 – 2027 CEDS is being prepared now, with focus groups planned over the summer of 2022.
The 2022 CEDS will be ready for November submission to DECD, Connecticut’s Office of Policy & Management and EDA for approval.