Jeffrey Borofsky Joins Connecticut Data Collaborative

The Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData) has announced that Jeffrey Borofsky has joined the organization as State Data Center Coordinator. Borofsky will work with key stakeholders and Connecticut residents to help them to better understand the range of data available in U.S. Census Bureau surveys and support that CTData can provide so that data can be used more effectively in decision-making.

The Connecticut Data Collaborative is a public-private partnership that advocates for the public availability of open and accessible data, serving nonprofits, advocates, policymakers, community groups, and funders in using data to drive policy and improve programs and services, budgeting and decision-making at the state, regional and local levels.

Among its areas of responsibility, CTData has been designated as the lead organization for the State of Connecticut in the U.S. Census Bureau’s State Data Center Program and as Connecticut’s official source for data related to the Census.

As Coordinator for the State Data Center, Borofsky will support CTData’s mission by developing educational materials to inform data users in Connecticut regarding various population estimates by developing webinars and presentations regarding census changes that will be coming – and their potential impact on the state, municipalities, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

“We are thrilled to have Jeff on board in this newly created position,” said Michelle Riordan-Nold, Executive Director of the Connecticut Data Collaborative. “There are many changes taking place in the dissemination of data being released by the Census Bureau, so it is critical that we have someone dedicated to helping residents navigate and understand the impacts of the changes.”

“I am excited to take on the role of State Data Center Coordinator at the State Data Center, CT Data - and to serve my State in this capacity. As someone that is passionate about data and its power to drive positive change, I am looking forward to working with local leaders and stakeholders to ensure accurate and reliable information about our state’s population and demographics,” said Borofsky, who recently completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Penn State University and is currently working on a Master of Science in Spatial Data Science from the university. His undergraduate degree was a BA in Geography-Anthropology with a concentration in geographic information systems and land use planning, from the University of Southern Maine. He has also earned a Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.

Borofsky was a geographic information systems (GIS) analyst at the UConn Health GIS Lab at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford for the past year, in his free time. A geographic information system consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output, and visualize geographic data. He also has previous experience as a web application developer in Connecticut.

A resident of Easton in Fairfield County, Borofsky is also a successful entrepreneur, launching the Skinny Pines Pizza Truck more than a decade ago and building a sustainable catering business from the ground up, providing farm-to-table wood-fired pizza to events in the region, large and small. The business has been widely recognized as a leader in the Connecticut and Westchester County food scene.

CT Data empowers an ecosystem of data users by democratizing access to public data and building data literacy skills. CTData serves residents, nonprofits, policymakers, and funders in using data to drive policy, program, and service improvements. The organization strives to promote and engage data users in implementing equitable data practices across the state.

More than 200 data sets are now accessible to the public on the CTData website, including a wide array of subjects and policy categories. Earlier this year, CTData added U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates for Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns, with topics including income, education, housing, remote-working, and more.

CT Data offices are located on Constitution Plaza in downtown Hartford; more information and datasets are available on the website at ctdata.org.