Stamford Designated an Innovation Place

From the Office of the Mayor: The City of Stamford, led by Innovate Stamford, has been designated an Innovation Place, as announced by the CTNext Board of Directors. Innovate Stamford will receive up to $2 million in Implementation Grant funds in fiscal year 2018 to apply towards establishing Stamford as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurialism and business growth.

The selection of Innovate Stamford concludes a process that began last summer and culminated last month with a site visit and pitch.

“With its proximity and connection to New York City and dynamic transportation hub offering access to points across the State and region, Stamford attracts young entrepreneurs seeking a livable, family-friendly environment,” said Glendowlyn Thames, Executive Director of CTNext. “As a designated Innovation Place, Stamford and the Innovate Stamford team now have the opportunity for its vibrant Downtown and Harbor Point neighborhoods to join together in a cohesive hub for innovation.”

Innovation Places is a CTNext-run program created to help the State’s communities become centers for entrepreneurism and innovation, magnets for talent and launching points for growth-stage companies. The program will distribute $6.9 million in fiscal year 2018 to selected Innovation Places communities to support implementation of their strategic plans.

“I would like to thank the team and all of the individuals who helped and contributed to the plan for their hard work in getting the job done,” noted Mayor David Martin, “I am excited to begin work on the next phase of implementation and development of the Innovation District in Stamford. With our designation as an Innovation Place, Stamford will be a hub to support our businesses of all sizes, and will allow us to attract those innovators and entrepreneurs who will help us continue to grow.”

A summary of Innovate Stamford’s proposal and application is available on the CTNext website at http://ctnext.com/innovation-places/.

“We are delighted and honored to be designated as an Innovation Place,” said Christopher Bruhl, CEO of The Business Council of Fairfield County, who served as co-chair of the Stamford planning team. “The entire team – the City of Stamford, the Downtown Special Services District, the Ferguson Library, Building & Land Technology and the Stamford Partnership –worked together to create a vision and build a plan. CTNext’s investment will accelerate the growth of our innovation community and deliver a real return in terms of jobs created, younger workers retained and an expanded tax base.”

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