Connecticut Announces First Certified Sites Program

AdvanceCT Launches Connecticut Certified Sites Program Highlighting Pre-Approved Industrial Sites

New Haven, Connecticut, November 15, 2023 – AdvanceCT announces the launch of Connecticut’s first Certified Sites Program. 

Designed to give corporate investors fast-tracked real estate solutions for rapid entry into the Connecticut market, the Certified Sites Program aggregates, and catalogues greenfield sites zoned for industrial use across the state.

A certified site is one that has undergone a thorough pre-qualification process to determine how ready the site is for development. Connecticut’s sites have undergone ownership, infrastructure, and zoning analysis, as well as a long list of other feasibility factors reviewed by an independent advisory committee comprised of state and local economic development stakeholders, including utility companies and state agencies.  

“Connecticut’s Certified Sites Program is going to be a game-changer for companies looking to establish an operation in our state,” said John Bourdeaux, President and CEO of AdvanceCT. “It eliminates the guesswork on any site in the program, increasing the velocity of the site selection process. There is a perception that Connecticut doesn’t have readily available sites, and I am here to tell you that we have plenty of inventory. Our new Certified Sites Program will facilitate companies connecting with the right real estate solution for their needs.”

The certified sites will be classified in one of two categories:

Shovel Ready

Properties where a combination of site characteristics, documented due diligence, and approvals deemed necessary to begin site development have been completed.

Investment Ready

A site deemed ready for development, although additional infrastructure improvements may be required before development can begin. Such additional measures will be quick to execute.
Connecticut’s Certified Sites Program is a property identification and investment readiness program that:

• Showcases strategic location solutions suitable for corporate investment;
• Supports soft and hard cost site improvements;
• Decreases project uncertainty and shortens market entry lead time;

“The state’s Certified Sites Program is another service that Connecticut provides to our corporate investors,” said Alexandra Daum, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. “We work closely with companies entering our state and this program will do a lot to help them get up and running faster. In most industries, speed to market is the imperative, so the program quickly gives them options and solutions.”

Note: For more information on Connecticut’s Certified Site Program, please contact Erron Smith at esmith@advancect.org or visit https://www.advancect.org/site-selection/certified-sites

About AdvanceCT

AdvanceCT is a business-driven nonprofit that works to engage, retain, and recruit businesses to Connecticut. AdvanceCT collaborates with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and our partners to implement high impact, equitable economic development. Our team advocates for and promotes Connecticut as a location for companies to compete and grow. www.advancect.org

Press Contact:
Shirar O’Connor
646-496-7668
soconnor@advancect.org