NVC SWOT

Strengths Weaknesses

•Job Growth: Employment grew to a •A Tale of Two NVCs: Average annual

greater extent in the NVC (5.97%) than it employment dropped in eight NVC towns and
did in Connecticut (1.98%). cities from 2005-2008.
•Job Growth: The average annual •A Tale of Two NVCs: Business losses in four
employment grew at a faster rate in 10 NVC towns and cities from 2005-2008.
NVC towns than it did in Connecticut during
the period between 2005 and 2008. •A Tale of Two NVCs: The population declined
in three NVC towns and cities from 2000 to
•Business Growth: The percentage of 2009. Five other NVC towns and cities grew at
businesses grew in the NVC (2.77%) to a a pace slower than the state and region.
greater extent than it did in Connecticut
(1.65%) from 2005 to 2008. •A Tale of Two NVCs: The median household
income in six NVC towns and cities fell below
•Business Growth: The percentage of the state’s median household figure for 2009.
businesses grew at a greater rate in 13
NVC towns than it did in Connecticut from •Unemployment: In 2009, four NVC towns and
2005 to 2008. cities had higher percentages of unemployed
people than the state and the nation.
•Employment: Eight NVC towns had lower
percentages of unemployed in 2009 than •Unemployment: Unemployment increased by
the NVC, Connecticut, and the United 148% in the United States from 2000 to 2009.
States. Unemployment increased by 282% in
Connecticut and 309% in the NVC from 2000 to
•A Great Place to Live: The population 2009.
increased to a greater extent in 10 NVC
towns than it did in the state from 2000 to •Unemployment: From 2000 to 2009, the
2009. percentage of unemployed increased at a
greater rate in every NVC town and city than it
•Income: The median household income in did in the country.
the NVC ($77,649) exceeds that standard
for the state ($68,055) by $9,504. Twelve
of the 18 NVC had higher median
household incomes than the state in 2009.
•Move toward Services: Like the country,
the NVC is moving toward greater
employment and business concentration in
services.

2010 NVC CEDS

Opportunities Threats

•A Cadre of Strong Towns: Many NVC • Unemployment: In 2009, unemployment

towns have seen growth in jobs, was greater in the NVC (8.70) than it was in
businesses, population, and income. Connecticut (7.60).
•Public-Private Partnerships are Ready •Negative Consequences of a Lack of
to Go (part 1): Strong agreement on CEDS Collaboration: Economies are regional. Towns
goals. must work together; failure to do could mean
negative consequences for all towns and cities
•Public-Private Partnerships are Ready in the NVC.
to Go (part 2): Strong agreement on the
importance of CEDS goals
•Public-Private Partnerships are Ready
to Go (part 3): Strong agreement that
mass transit is a priority.
•Public-Private Partnerships are Ready
to Go (part 4): Strong agreement on need
for rail transportation.
•Public-Private Partnerships are Ready
to Go (part 5): High attendance at CEDS
public forums
•Public-Private Partnerships are Ready
to Go (part 6): Broad range of
stakeholders interested in CEDS
•Green Technology and Environmental
Sustainability: Brownfield remediation
projects and the move LEED certified
building in the NVC provides an opportunity
for the region to be at the cutting edge of
the responsible and sustainable economy.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Percent Change in Employment

-5.00
0.00
5.00
10.00
Percent Change in Services

8.86
Percent Change in Education

6.88
and Health

Percent Change in Hospitaility

6.84
and Entertainment

Percent Change in

6.10
Government

Percent Change in Total

5.97
Industries

Percent Change in
Transportation and

3.90
Warehousing

Percent Change in Wholesale

0.25
and Retail

Percent Change in

-1.72
Construction
Strengths

Percent Change in

-3.77
Manufacturing

Percent Change in FIRE

-6.82
Percent Change in Employment in the NVC, 2005-2008
(5.97%) than it did in Connecticut (1.98%)

2010 NVC CEDS

Employment grew to a greater extent in the NVC
 Percent Change in Employment, 2005-2008

-5.00
0.00
5.00
10.00
Percent Change in Education

8.47
and Health

Percent Change in

6.56
Government

Percent Change in Hospitality

6.29
and Entertainment

Percent Change in Services

2.94
Percent Change in Total

1.98
Industries

Percent Change in
Transportation and 1.37
Warehousing

Percent Change in Wholesale

-0.46

and Retail

Percent Change in
-0.77

Construction

Percent Change in
-4.47

Manufacturing

Percent Change in FIRE

-6.92
Percent Change in Employment in Connecticut, 2005-2008

2010 NVC CEDS

 The average annual employment grew at a faster rate
in 10 NVC towns than it did in Connecticut during the
period between 2005 and 2008
Town Total Average Annual Total Average Annual Change in Total Average Percent Change in Total
Employment, 2005 Employment, 2008 Annual Employment, 2005- Average Annual
2008 Employment, 2005-2008

Beacon Falls 841 1,044 203 24.14

Oxford 2,364 2,639 275 11.63

Cheshire 14,876 16,501 1625 10.92

Middlebury 3,264 3,556 292 8.95

Shelton 2,0951 22,508 1557 7.43

Bethlehem 640 679 39 6.09

Wolcott 3,032 3,165 133 4.39

Thomaston 2,862 2,986 124 4.33

Newtown 7590 7,866 276 3.64

Seymour 4406 4,520 114 2.59

CT 1,643,963 1,676,493 32,530 1.98

NVC 142,894 145,063 2,169 1.52

Watertown 8,653 8,614 -39 -.45

Prospect 2,071 2,052 -19 -.92

Southbury 9,512 9,334 -178 -1.87

Naugatuck 7,682 7,517 -165 -2.15

Waterbury 42,448 41,163 -1,285 -3.03

Ansonia 3,794 3,650 -144 -3.80

Woodbury 2,422 2,283 -139 -5.74

Derby 5,486 4,986 -500 -9.11

Data Ordered by Percent Change in Total Average Annual Employment, 2005-2008; All Employment and Business Firms data
came from Connecticut Department of Labor, Covered Employment and Wages by Industry (2005 and 2008).

2010 NVC CEDS

 -4.00
-2.00
4.00

2.00

0.00
6.00
Percent Change in Services

4.96
Businesses

Percent Change in Wholesale

4.48
and Retail Businesses

Percent Change in Hospitality

and Entertainment

3.43
Businesses

Percent Change in
Transportation and

2.94
Warehousing Businesses

Percent Change in Total

2.77
Businesses

Percent Change in FIRE

2.28
Businesses
2008

Percent Change in Education

2.06
and Health Businesses

Percent Change in

0.94
Construction Businesses

Percent Change in
-1.14
Government Businesses

Percent Change in -3.75

Manufacturing Businesses
Percentage of Change in Businesses within the NVC, 2005-
Connecticut (1.65%) from 2005 to 2008.
(2.77%) to a greater extent than it did in
The percentage of businesses grew in the NVC

2010 NVC CEDS

 -6.00
-4.00
-2.00
4.00

2.00

0.00
6.00
Percent Change in
Transportation and

4.47
Warehousing Businesses

Percent Change in Hospitality

and Entertainment

4.18
Businesses

Percent Change in Education

3.92
and Health Businesses

Percent Change in Services

3.70
Businesses

Percent Change in Wholesale

1.67
and Retail Businesses

Percent Change in Total

1.65
Businesses
2008

Percent Change in

-0.06
Construction Businesses

Percent Change in

-0.16
Government Businesses

Percent Change in FIRE

-3.14
Businesses

Percent Change in -5.66

Manufacturing Businesses
Percentage of Change in Businesses within Connecticut, 2005-

2010 NVC CEDS

 The percentage of businesses grew at a
greater rate in 11 NVC towns than it did in the
NVC from 2005 to 2008
Value Percent Change in Percent Change in Business

11.39
10.00
10.14

9.32

7.24
Count, 2005-2008

5.00 6.23

5.26
4.84
4.60 1.65

4.22 3.47
2.63
4.20 2.77 1.92 0.90
0.00
-1.42
-1.77 -3.33

-6.78

-5.00
CT
Bethlehem
NVC
Middlebury

Naugatuck
Shelton

Thomaston

Beacon Falls

Derby
Cheshire

Seymour

Prospect
Wolcott
Southbury

Woodbury
Oxford

Ansonia

Waterbury
Watertown
Newtown

2010 NVC CEDS

 Eight NVC towns had lower percentages of
unemployed in 2009 than the NVC, Connecticut, and
the United States.
Percent Unemployed, 2009
1 Waterbury 12.60
2 Thomaston 9.90
3 Ansonia 9.40
4 Naugatuck 9.10
5 US 8.90
6 Derby 8.70
7 NVC 8.70
8 Beacon Falls 8.30
9 Wolcott 8.10
10 Seymour 8.00
11 Watertown 8.00
12 Prospect 7.70
13 Connecticut 7.60
14 Bethlehem 7.50
15 Shelton 6.80
16 Woodbury 6.70
17 Middlebury 6.60
18 Southbury 6.50
19 Oxford 6.20
20 Newtown 6.00
21 Cheshire 5.40
Source: CERC

2010 NVC CEDS

A Great Place to Live: The population increased to
a greater extent in 10 NVC towns than it did in the
state from 2000 to 2009.

30.00
Percent Population Change, 2000-2009

20.00

27.88

10.00

9.38 8.75
6.87
5.29 4.81
3.92 3.54 3.25 3.11
2.70 2.62 2.56
1.37 1.29 1.14 0.82
0.00 -0.30 -0.60 -0.79
CT

Bethlehem
NVC
Middlebury

Shelton

Naugatuck
Thomaston
Beacon Falls

Derby
Seymour
Cheshire
Prospect
Wolcott
Southbury

Woodbury
Oxford

Ansonia
Waterbury
Watertown
Newtown*

2010 NVC CEDS

 Income: The median household income in the
NVC ($77,649) exceeds that standard for the state
($68,055) by $9,504. Twelve of the 18 NVC had
higher median household incomes than the state
in 2009.

$120000

114673

$100000
Median Household Income, 2009

101346

97148

$80000 88771
87981
86891

85843
$60000
84155

77929
77649
$40000 76390
75357
70453
68055
$20000
67211
65646
64313 53603

57258 42719
$0
CT
Bethlehem

NVC
Middlebury

Naugatuck
Shelton

Thomaston
Beacon Falls

Derby
Cheshire

Seymour
Prospect

Wolcott
Southbury
Woodbury
Oxford

Ansonia

Waterbury
Watertown
Newtown

2010 NVC CEDS

 Weaknesses

A Tale of Two NVCs:

Average annual employment dropped in eight NVC
towns and cities from 2005-2008.
Percent Change in Total Average Annual Employment,

30.00

20.00
2005-2008

24.14

10.00

11.6310.92
8.95
7.43
6.09
4.39 4.33 3.64
2.59 1.98
1.52
0.00 -0.45 -0.92
-1.87 -2.15
-3.03 -3.80
-5.74
-9.11

-10.00
CT
Bethlehem

NVC
Shelton
Middlebury

Naugatuck
Thomaston
Beacon Falls

Derby
Seymour
Cheshire

Prospect
Wolcott

Southbury

Woodbury
Oxford

Ansonia
Waterbury
Watertow
Newtown

2010 NVC CEDS

 Value Percent Change in Percent Change in Business
Count, 2005-2008

-5.00
0.00
5.00
10.00
Oxford

11.39
Shelton

10.14
Middlebury

9.32
Southbury

7.24
Wolcott

6.23
Newtown

5.26
Cheshire

4.84
Thomaston

4.60
Watertown

4.22
Seymour

4.20
Ansonia

3.47
NVC

2.77
Prospect

2.63
Bethlehem

1.92
CT

1.65
Beacon Falls

0.90
Woodbury

-1.42
Naugatuck

Waterbury

-1.77 -3.33
Derby

-6.78
NVC towns and cities from 2005-2008.
A Tale of Two NVCs: Business losses in four

2010 NVC CEDS

A Tale of Two NVCs: The population declined in
three NVC towns and cities from 2000 to 2009.
Five other NVC towns and cities grew at a pace
slower than the state and region.

30.00
Percent Population Change, 2000-2009

20.00

27.88

10.00

9.38 8.75
6.87
5.29 4.81
3.92 3.54 3.25 3.11
2.70 2.62 2.56
1.37 1.29 1.14 0.82
0.00 -0.30 -0.60 -0.79
CT

Bethlehem
NVC
Middlebury

Shelton

Naugatuck
Thomaston

Derby
Beacon Falls

Seymour
Cheshire
Prospect
Wolcott
Southbury

Woodbury
Oxford

Ansonia
Waterbury
Watertown
Newtown*

2010 NVC CEDS

 A Tale of Two NVCs: The median household
income in six NVC towns and cities fell below the
state’s median household figure for 2009.

$120000

114673

$100000
Median Household Income, 2009

101346

97148

$80000 88771
87981
86891

85843
$60000
84155

77929
77649
$40000 76390
75357
70453
68055
$20000
67211
65646
64313 53603

57258 42719
$0
CT
Bethlehem

NVC
Middlebury

Shelton

Naugatuck
Thomaston
Beacon Falls

Derby
Cheshire

Seymour
Prospect

Wolcott
Southbury
Woodbury
Oxford

Ansonia

Waterbury
Watertown
Newtown

2010 NVC CEDS

Unemployment: In 2009, four NVC towns and
cities had higher percentages of unemployed
people than the state and the nation.

14.00

12.00

12.60
Percent Unemployed, 2009

10.00
9.90

9.40
8.00
9.10
8.90
8.70

6.00 8.70
8.30

8.10
4.00 8.00
8.00
7.70
7.60
7.50
2.00 6.80
6.70 6.60
6.50 6.20
6.00 5.40

0.00
CT
US

Bethlehem
NVC

Middlebury
Shelton
Naugatuck
Thomaston

Derby

Beacon Falls

Seymour

Cheshire
Prospect
Wolcott

Southbury
Woodbury

Oxford
Ansonia
Waterbury

Watertown

Newtown*

Note: All demographic and unemployment data come from CERC

2010 NVC CEDS

 Unemployment increased by 148% in the United
States from 2000 to 2009. Unemployment
increased by 282% in Connecticut and 309% in
the NVC from 2000 to 2009.

500.00
Percent Change in Unemployment, 2000-2009

400.00 422.64

420.88
383.87

378.82

300.00 375.69

373.08

367.53

355.45
200.00
353.46

352.63
346.27
320.90
100.00 308.71
299.16
280.24 258.11 148.44
293.53
282.35 275.00 245.71

0.00
CT

US
Bethlehem

NVC
Middlebury

Naugatuck
Shelton
Thomaston

Derby
Cheshire
Beacon Falls

Seymour
Prospect

Wolcott

Southbury
Woodbury

Oxford

Ansonia

Waterbury
Watertown
Newtown*

Unemployment: From 2000 to 2009, the percentage of

unemployed increased at a greater rate in every NVC town and
city than it did in the country.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Opportunities

A Cadre of Strong Towns: Many NVC

towns have seen growth in jobs,
businesses, population, and income.

2010 NVC CEDS

Public-Private Partnerships are Ready to Go
(part 1): Strong agreement on CEDs goals.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Public-Private Partnerships are Ready to Go
(part 2): Strong agreement on the importance of
CEDS goals.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Public-Private Partnerships are Ready to Go
(part 3): Strong agreement that mass transit is a
priority.

2010 NVC CEDS

Public-Private Partnerships are Ready to Go
(part 4): Strong agreement on need for rail
transportation.

2010 NVC CEDS

Public-Private Partnerships are Ready to Go
(part 5): High attendance at CEDS public
forums

2010 NVC CEDS

 Public-Private Partnerships are Ready to Go
(part 6): Broad range of stakeholders interested in
CEDS

2010 NVC CEDS

 Green Technology and Environmental
Sustainability: Brownfield remediation projects
and the move LEED certified building in the NVC
provides an opportunity for the region to be at
the cutting edge of the responsible and
sustainable economy.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Threats
Unemployment: In 2009, unemployment was greater in
the NVC (8.70) than it was in Connecticut (7.60).
Percent Unemployed, 2009
1 Waterbury 12.60
2 Thomaston 9.90
3 Ansonia 9.40
4 Naugatuck 9.10
5 US 8.90
6 Derby 8.70
7 NVC 8.70
8 Beacon Falls 8.30
9 Wolcott 8.10
10 Seymour 8.00
11 Watertown 8.00
12 Prospect 7.70
13 Connecticut 7.60
14 Bethlehem 7.50
15 Shelton 6.80
16 Woodbury 6.70
17 Middlebury 6.60
18 Southbury 6.50
19 Oxford 6.20
20 Newtown 6.00
21 Cheshire 5.40
Source: CERC

2010 NVC CEDS

 Negative Consequences of a Lack of
Collaboration: Economies are regional. Towns
must work together; failure to do could mean
negative consequences for all towns and cities in
the NVC.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Goals for the NVC
Goal I: Continue to develop local infrastructure that supports
economic expansion while maintaining and protecting the
environment.

Goal II: Provide opportunities for job growth, advancement and

job training, utilizing and identifying the Connecticut Economic
Strategic Plan 2009 (DECD) which is the Strategic Vision for
Connecticut as the engine to support and sustain the regional
economy, supporting and encouraging private investment in all
these areas. Connecticut will be a vibrant, diverse, and safe
community that offers a sustainable quality of life and access to
economic opportunities for all.

Goal III: Sustain economic expansion while reinforcing and

complimenting the regional land use and quality of life of the
NVC.

Goal IV: Improve overall Transportation and Communications

systems.

Goal V: Continue the implementation and reclamation of

Regional Brownfields Partnership (RBP) and to support the
management, capacity and financial resources for the municipal
members.

Goal VI: Support and encourage the designation of the NVC as a

National Heritage Area under the National Park Service, which
will capitalize on the history, culture and natural attraction of the
NVC.

Goal VII: Encourage growth and participation in the Philanthropy

efforts in the NVC, through the private sector, individuals and
other stakeholders’ efforts and contributions.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Goal II: Provide opportunities for job growth,
advancement and job training, utilizing and
identifying the Connecticut Economic Strategic
Plan 2009 (DECD) which is the Strategic Vision for
Connecticut as the engine to support and sustain
the regional economy, supporting and
encouraging private investment in all these areas.
Connecticut will be a vibrant, diverse, and safe
community that offers a sustainable quality of life
and access to economic opportunities for all.

•The Vision for the Connecticut Economic Strategic Plan

– September 2009 covers Housing, Transportation,
Responsible Growth, Education and Workforce
Development, Technology Transfer, Government,
Business, Culture and Tourism and Energy.
•Public Forums – economic development including non-
profit corporations.
•Transportation
•Brownfield Remediation
•Waterbury ITZ

2010 NVC CEDS

Goal IV: Improve overall Transportation and
Communications systems.

Key Factors:

•Waterbury Rail Line

•CNVCOG:
•Interstate 84 Waterbury - Middlebury
•Trails – Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Waterbury,
Cheshire, Watertown
•Enhance Transit Services
•Improve Local Roads
•VCOG:
•Improve Route 8
•Exit 18
•Route 34 and other major roadways
•Greenways

2010 NVC CEDS

 Goal V: Continue the implementation and
reclamation of Regional Brownfields Partnership
(RBP) and to support the management, capacity
and financial resources for the municipal
members.

Objectives of The Regional Brownfields Partnership of

West Central Connecticut:

•Continue to identify Brownfields in the NVC.

•Develop a priority ranking of contaminated sites based on
the probability for redevelopment.
•Develop site-specific redevelopment scenarios best suited
for adaptive reuse.
•Complete environmental testing for selected sites.
•Complete limited site work to improve the marketability of
selected sites.
•Facilitate the return of priority sites to productive use that
expands the grand list of the NVC.

2010 NVC CEDS

 Goal I: Continue to develop local
infrastructure that supports economic
expansion while maintaining and
protecting the environment.

Capital Improvement Project Matrix

•12 out of the 18 Communities submitted 31 projects

The Advisory Committee Ranking:

Tier I Tier II Tier III T.A. N/R (Other)

11 5 1 5 9

Tier I Const. Jobs Long Term Jobs

$63,225,000 1,075 1,500

(Tier I projects: Ansonia, Derby, Naugatuck,

Newtown, Oxford, Prospect, Shelton, Waterbury)

2010 NVC CEDS

Goal III: Sustain economic expansion while
reinforcing and complimenting the regional land use
and quality of life of the NVC.

Goal VI: Support and encourage the designation of

the NVC as a National Heritage Area under the
National Park Service, which will capitalize on the
history, culture and natural attraction of the NVC.

Goal VII: Encourage growth and participation in

the Philanthropy efforts in the NVC, through the
private sector, individuals and other stakeholders’
efforts and contributions.

2010 NVC CEDS