Norwalk Selected As 2022 Gold Level Certified Community

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling announced Thursday the city was selected as a 2022 Gold Level Certified Community in Best Practices in Economic Development & Land Use Planning on behalf of the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS).

According to a news release provided by the city, Norwalk is one of three communities in the state to achieve the distinction of gold.

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"This is an enormous achievement and a tribute to the dedication of our team, especially Jessica Vonashek, Chief of Economic and Community Development, and her team," Rilling said in a news release. "Together, we've put Norwalk on the map. It's a place people want to live, raise their families, start their businesses, and plant roots. It has become a well-known gem in Connecticut, and we will continue to plan, organize, and implement exciting economic and community development projects to add to its vibrancy."

In February, the city applied for the CEDAS Best Practices Certification Program in Economic Development & Land Use.

According to city officials, the CEDAS reviews each applicant’s existing economic development and community strategies to determine areas where a community may excel or need to improve and rates their overall economic vitality.

The application contains four components: communications and marketing, coordination and collaboration, organizational capacity and strategy and policies and programs.

The CEDAS certified twelve municipalities in Economic Development and Land Use Planning across Connecticut, rating them at three levels: gold, silver and bronze.

In addition to Norwalk, the towns of Cheshire and Orange also earned the 2022 Gold Level recognition.

Ellington, Guilford, Hamden, North Branford, Willington, Woodbridge, Torrington and West Haven were all selected as 2022 Silver Level certified communities. The town of Berlin was also selected as a 2022 Bronze Level certified community.

The CEDAS is planning an awards ceremony for the first week of June, city officials said.

Further information can be found at www.cedas.org.