New London Hires New Economic Development Coordinator

NEW LONDON – The city has hired Elizabeth Nocera as its new Economic Development coordinator. Previously Nocera worked in the Office of Development and Planning, where she secured state and federal funding for several initiatives for the city.

The largest of those grants have included a $2 million State Bond Commission grant award for the demolition of the Crystal Avenue Apartments, multiple awards totaling $1.5 million to provide assistance for firefighters and a $1.1 million grant for roadway and bike lane improvements at Williams Street from the Waterford town line to Hodges Square, according to a statement.

In recent months, Nocera has also been instrumental in the city’s efforts to successfully secure COVID-19 funding to help with its response during the pandemic.

“The city of New London is fortunate to have someone with Elizabeth’s experience committed to improving the economic and business development opportunities in our city,” Felix Reyes, director of Economic Development and Planning for the City of New London, said in a statement. “I am confident that Elizabeth’s background and passion for grants management and procurement will help our City succeed in capturing much-needed funding to address the current economic crisis and come out ahead.”

“I’m thrilled to be part of the effort to help with business development projects that foster New London’s economic development,” Nocera said. “The city has multiple state and federal grants to address opportunities for development in the downtown, central, and waterfront areas of New London that provide tremendous opportunities for economic growth. I am thankful to be part of New London’s economic development team.”

Nocera earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Hartford and holds a bachelor's degree in History and International Relations from Boston University.