Developing a national model for defense industry, community collaboration
General Dynamics Electric Boat is at the heart of the regional economy in Southeastern Connecticut, and it could soon be at the heart of a national model for collaboration between the defense industrial base and local communities when it comes to addressing opportunities and challenges.
What started as a roundtable discussion over the winter between local leaders and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation in the Department of Defense resulted in the creation of a pilot program and finally the formation of the Eastern Connecticut Defense Industry Community Partnership. Leaders from various organizations and the municipalities of Groton, New London, Ledyard and Waterford have been meeting since January to identify challenges and develop solutions.
In other words, while Southeastern Connecticut has long benefited economically from hosting one of the nation’s premier defense contractors, it also faces problems that naturally occur from hosting such a major employer.
As Executive Director of the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region, the area’s federally designated economic development agency, the kind of collaboration this partnership seeks to create is heartening. While we at seCTer are charged with developing a strong, resilient economy, we do not approach that mission in a vacuum.
Every five years, seCTer updates the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to provide a framework for developing “the flexibility needed to adapt to both macro- and micro-economic conditions, and to fully utilize the region’s unique advantages to maximize economic opportunity for its residents.”
If a major employer such as Electric Boat were to express interest in locating to the region today, we would convene area leaders and discuss everything from preferred locations to infrastructure needs for both the entity and the community.
Housing, child care and parking are among the top challenges facing the region based largely on Electric Boat’s need to continue increasing its workforce to meet the U.S. Navy’s demand for submarine production and overhaul (or maintenance) work.
The Department of Defense, through its Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, wants to learn from this pilot project how best to work through these and similar issues in communities across the country that also host large employers in the defense industry supply chain.
This is not an easy mission, as we are working in reverse. Electric Boat has existed since the early 20th century and has grown in a footprint bordered by neighborhoods that preceded it and the Thames River.
As mentioned previously, economic development on a large scale today is well planned, with consideration for the infrastructure needs — from transit to family amenities — of both the major employer and the community.
Although this pilot project is working from a reverse-engineering approach, it is a step in the right direction with local and statewide leaders cooperating in the process.
In addition to Electric Boat executives, leaders of the municipalities previously mentioned, the group includes representatives from United Way, the Southeastern CT Council of Governments, UConn-Avery Point, Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and consultant groups with expertise in improving relationships between the defense industry and communities — PM Consulting in Connecticut and Sparks Policy Group in Washington, D.C.
So what does success look like if we accomplish our mission?
We will have improved collaboration between Electric Boat and the region’s communities, provided balanced community and company solutions, and provided an environment in which Electric Boat and similar manufacturers across the country will be able to modernize and expand to meet the nation’s defense needs while also improving local infrastructure and services.
Paul Whitescarver is the Executive Director of the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer), a retired U.S. Navy Captain and former Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London.
We had the good fortune of working with four talented interns from the University of Connecticut over the summer.
They were all involved in a wide range of tasks and projects that helped each of us further the seCTer mission of fostering growth and vitality in southeastern Connecticut. Their enthusiasm and extra horsepower will be missed!
Jacob Schlessel, a Statistical Data Science and Economics major, served as a Data & Content Writing Intern. Jacob authored numerous blog posts for seCTer’s website, helping to communicate key insights on regional economic development. He also assisted with data collection and analysis of vacant storefronts and business types across the region, supporting efforts to better understand economic trends, and contributed to translating data into clear, accessible content for the community.
Simon Gadille, a Computer Science student at UConn, served as a Digital Operations & Web Intern. Simon played a key role in seCTer’s first business pitch event, supporting staff and participants to ensure a successful inaugural event that we can now replicate on a regular basis. Simon also collected and organized data on town assets and resources, helping strengthen seCTer’s regional economic development database, and contributed to website development and digital operations by updating content, improving functionality, and assisting with performance tracking.
Divyesh Paladugu, a Computer Science major, served as a Software Development Intern. In that role, he applied his software engineering expertise to both front-end and back-end development to create innovative digital solutions that improve usability and performance, and to build workflow automations to improve organizational efficiency by streamlining internal processes. Divyesh also developed creative, interactive dashboards for seCTer’s website to turn complex data into user-friendly visualizations that enhance community access to information.
Pratham Kapadia, a Cognitive Science student, was our Website Development & Content Intern. He updated the seCTer website to ensure it is more user-friendly, accessible, and relevant for businesses and community stakeholders. Pratham applied principles of UX/UI to create a more engaging online experience, and provided timely updates of content and resources to help keep information accurate and responsive to community needs.
Save the date for seCTer’s annual meeting at noon, Dec. 10, at the Norwich Inn and Spa.
We are excited that Ray Gabriel, Vice President of Strategic Operations for General Dynamics Electric Boat, will join us as the featured speaker.
Ray will discuss the recently established Eastern Connecticut Modernization and Resiliency Pilot project, a partnership with the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.
This pilot program is intended to establish a national model for collaboration between large defense contractors and the communities in which they are located. Through this initiative, leaders from various organizations and the municipalities of Groton, New London, Ledyard and Waterford, have been meeting to identify challenges and develop solutions to a wide range of infrastructure and social issues ranging from traffic and parking to housing, education, and daycare needs.
We’ll send invitations soon, and we hope to see you there!
seCTer is participating in a Department of Defense pilot project intended to create a roadmap for cooperation between large defense contractors and the communities in which they are located.
With a focus on General Dynamics Electric Boat’s role in the region as the largest employer and largest driver of housing and infrastructure needs, the Eastern Connecticut Modernization and Resiliency Pilot is looking at the benefits and challenges of hosting such a large employer. Housing, childcare, and parking are among the top challenges facing the region.
This project stems from an initial conversation between the Defense Department’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation and leaders from Groton. Once the pilot was envisioned, the effort was expanded to include the additional municipalities of New London, Ledyard, and Waterford, and representatives from United Way, the Southeastern CT Council of Governments, UConn-Avery Point, Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board, Connecticut Office of Manufacturing, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. Two consultant groups with expertise in improving relationships between the defense industry and communities are overseeing the project, Patricia Meyer of PM Consulting in Connecticut, and Erin Sparks of Sparks Policy Group in Washington DC.
Given seCTer’s mission to develop a strong, resilient economy, we look forward to contributing our data and staff resources as needed to assist in this important regional effort to improve the business and quality-of-life environment for workers and their families. To read Executive Director Paul Whitescarver’s op-ed in support of the pilot, and published by The Day, click here.
With AI at the forefront of most business conversations today, seCTer was proud to support ‘Navigating the AI Landscape: a Hands-On Workshop,’ presented by the Mystic Chamber of Commerce in May.
Speaker Mike Lannen, founder of Eternity, helped attendees “cut through the noise and learn how to use AI in day-to-day work.”
Lannen provided a primer that allowed his audience to better understand the basics of AI, how to use it effectively and securely, how to use ChatGPT with more effective prompts, and how to create an AI assistant.
This event continued seCTer’s efforts to elevate our brand throughout the region as a provider of entrepreneur support services across a broad spectrum in addition to our non-traditional funding resources.
Once again, seCTer is proud to support the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut by sponsoring prizes for the Chamber’s annual Entrepreneur Academy.
This eight-week program is designed to provide “aspiring and early-stage business owners with the practical tools and expert guidance needed to navigate the real-world challenges of launching and scaling a venture,” according to the Chamber.
Weekly sessions focus on a different aspect of business development and feature local experts in each area of focus. Finalists are selected for a live pitch competition judged by local business leaders, and the top three ventures will receive cash awards of $2,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, and $1,000 for third. Judging is based on the clarity of the business model, growth potential, and presentation.
The Academy started Sept. 9 and runs through Oct. 28.
seCTer’s first Ledge Light Launch Pitch Competition drew a large crowd to cheer on six entrepreneurs from across the region as they pitched their start-ups to a panel of five judges.
In the end, the $7,500 prize went to Patrick Khor, a retired submariner who is working to launch an ice cream shop in Groton to honor his late father, who operated the family-run ice cream shop in New Jersey, which continues today. He’s hoping to get the new store open by early spring.
Khor was one of six finalists selected by seCTer staff from a pool of 20 applicants. Each finalist had six minutes to make their pitch to the panel of judges. Scoring was based on a rubric covering 10 areas:
Problem and market need; solution and value proposition; market opportunity; business model and revenue strategy; traction and validation; team and execution capability; go-to-market strategy; presentation and communication; innovation and competitive advantage, and overall viability and investment potential.
seCTer Economic Development Specialist Kaitlin Ferrero initiated the idea with support from R.T. Brown, Deputy Director of seCTer, and financial sponsorship from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
Kaitlin is already planning the next Ledge Light Launch Pitch Competition for the fall and hopes to host the event on a regular basis.
We wish to extend a special Thank You to our panel of judges, which included Catherine Young, seCTer Board of Directors; Tom Gerson, startup adviser; Maria Hanna, president and CEO of Survival Systems USA of Groton; Wendy Vincent, executive director of the Cultural Coalition; and Kevin Zhang, community manager, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.
RT Brown has been promoted to Deputy Director in recognition of his accomplishments in a variety of roles since joining seCTer in 2021.
RT’s initiatives have covered the full range of seCTer’s mission to “stimulate and support economic development and diversification” across the region.
In his most recent role as Director of Economic Development Strategy and Business Services, Brown oversaw production of the region’s current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) in collaboration with other regional organizations.
He is responsible for loan and grant programs, business outreach, and has met with hundreds of owners of small to medium-sized businesses to provide guidance for expansion and sustainability plans. Under his leadership, the seCTerRise program of grants has helped 87 businesses by providing $1.2 million for expansion opportunities.
His efforts have led to job retention and job creation across a wide spectrum, from defense subcontractors to retail outlets, the hospitality industry, and the general services sector.
RT’s focus is on building a resilient regional economy prepared for challenges ranging from local natural disasters to global economic disruptions that trickle down to regional economies.
“RT brought significant economic development experience when he joined seCTer, and entrepreneurs across eastern Connecticut have benefited from that experience and his insights when it comes to sustainability and resiliency planning,” said Paul Whitescarver, Executive Director of seCTer. “Much of what RT does is behind the scenes, but the entrepreneurs he has helped, and others in leadership positions across the region, see the value he brings by helping new businesses start and existing businesses grow to become more resilient.”
seCTer has added capacity to its team with the hiring of Kaitlin Ferrero as an Economic Development Specialist.
Kaitlin is a seasoned economic development and data analyst professional proficient in Python coding, a programming language software. She will apply her data analysis expertise to help municipal leaders better understand commuting patterns, recreational hotspots, and available capital for their local businesses.
Kaitlin also brings a wealth of knowledge in the area of state resources for the business community, having previously worked for CT Next.
A lifelong CT resident, she is eager to help entrepreneurs bring their dreams to fruition and to help existing businesses grow.
To skip to the head of the line when seeking Kaitlin’s expertise, mention that you love Chihuahuas!
Member towns and cities now have a new data analytics tool at their disposal for free as a benefit of their membership in seCTer.
Executive Director Paul Whitescarver has contracted with Placer.AI, described as “a market intelligence platform,” providing location analytics, visit trends, trade areas, demographics, crime, planned development, and traffic counts through cell phone use and location.
“You can see shopping patterns, get a heat map to see where people are travelling from – just about any kind of demographic data you’re looking for,” Paul said.
Placer.AI launched its mobile analytics platform in 2018 and now has a portfolio of more than 4,000 customers, ranging from commercial real estate and retail to grocery stores, restaurants, shopping centers, CPG, and civic organizations.
“With location analytics including visit trends, trade areas, and demographics as our foundation, we’re just getting started,” according to a Placer.AI statement. “We empower private and public organizations to make better decisions by helping them understand what’s really happening in the physical world.”
“This is an added value for our municipalities,” Paul said. “We will make this available to municipal members and provide it to businesses through a fee structure. We’ve begun using Placer.AI in the office, and the breadth and depth of the data is amazing.”
For more information, contact our office or visit Placer.AI