Hamden Economic Development Corporation

03/20/2025

Ways to Address Housing Needs in Connecticut While Building Community Wealth.... Getting those 100,000 more housing units

Connecticut is fortunate to have Governor Lamont and the Commissioner of Housing, Seila Mosquera-Bruno, who both have made a strong commitment to housing. Most reports say that we need another 100,000 housing units to meet the workforce and community needs in Connecticut. There is a lot of work ahead.

I recently sat on a brownfield panel and was asked “The need and demand for housing, especially affordable housing is high - what do you see as possible fixes and possible options and opportunities to resolve this issue from your experience?”

One Idea: Having worked in both community and economic development roles, I think we can address many community housing needs through a new commitment to the rehabilitation of older multi-family (2-4 units) and single-family homes. There are thousands of these buildings in CT. Additionally, many seniors in Connecticut are “house poor”. This means that their entire wealth is in the equity (value) of their home. Many of these homes are not nearly up to code. Some seniors don’t have any equity.

We have been successful at building the many needed new housing units in CT through non-profits and developers. It’s a very linear process, you get a grant or financing, you hire an architect, get permits and build and viola, we have units!

Our aging housing stock of multi-family units are often not to code and need improvements to the building envelope and energy efficiency upgrades. Many homes contain lead paint and asbestos. Addressing the needs in these homes offers a great way to make our neighborhoods healthier and sustainable.
It is also an opportunity to create jobs and create wealth by giving, for example, a first-time homebuyer a chance to make additional income by having rental units as income in a two or three family house (as pictured above). Community Development is Economic Development!

Second Idea Many seniors can’t leave their homes because these homes need rehabilitation and they have nowhere to go! The rental market costs are out of reach financially for them. Perhaps we can create more homeownership opportunities for first time homebuyers by first creating more senior housing units for the “middle market” and for low income seniors if we can develop a program that links the sale and rehabilitation of these older homes at affordable rates to a guarantee of a quality affordable housing unit for that senior household. For the new owner of that home, the program could resembles the SBA 504 program that allows for the purchase and rehabilitation of older homes in one financing package. This is not a new idea but one that could work.
There are non-profits that do housing rehabilitation; Neighborhood Housing Services and NeighborWorks New Horizons, among others. But there are not enough these kinds of organizations that focus on rehabilitation. There are also not enough funding options for this type of work in comparison to new construction. That’s in part due to the profitability of doing new units, the high cost of construction, and workforce challenges.
We need much more technical assistance at the municipal and non-profit level on how to run a housing rehabilitation program. We need to collaborate more on how to make it work at the permitting, liability and insurance level.

I have managed many housing rehabilitation programs. They are not easy and are certainly not linear! There is a lack of contractors and workers in the trades. There are also bonding and insurance challenges for small contractors.

There are many partners that could help change that. There are potential assets such as some of the trade organizations and our local school systems. Examples include the CT. Chapter of the Professional Women in Construction https://www.pwc-ct.org/ and the Housing and Housing and Community Development Leadership Institute (HCDLI) https://www.hcdli.org/ , which is run by the Local Initiative Support Corporation. There are other partners too.

Housing rehabilitation and historic preservation can contribute to positive and healthy neighborhoods because many of the units in need of rehabilitation have health hazards such as lead paint, asbestos, etc. The idea of helping seniors move into a rental unit they can afford, is something everyone can relate to. Rehabilitation is a market area worth committing to, to create jobs, increase community wealth and make neighborhoods heathier. The Rehabilitation approach will create thousands of newly renovated homes and will put a dent into that 100,000 number.

CT offers many great housing programs that could be adapted to meet the challenges of our aging housing stock. Build for CT. is a relatively new program funded through the legislature. Other programs such as Healthy Homes and CDBG (Small Cities) can help, but what we need more of a comprehensive strategy that includes the goals of community health, community wealth and historic preservation to help the programs fit the market place, to improve communities by helping to create more opportunities for contractors and skilled workers.

03/20/2024

LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.

09/13/2023

Scott Jackson Named Incoming Executive Director of the Hamden Economic Development Corporation
This fall, former Mayor Scott Jackson will take over the leadership of the Hamden Economic Development Corporation (HEDC). The Board of Directors of HEDC unanimously approved Mr. Jackson as the new Executive Director when Dale Kroop retires from the organization later this fall.

HEDC was formed in 2004 and received its 501C4 IRS Tax Exempt status shortly thereafter. Mr. Kroop developed the concept of HEDC and has lead the organization for the better part of 20 years. “HEDC began as a tool to clean up blighted and contaminated properties, to protect the Hamden Taxpayers from that liability. It was part of the overall plan for Economic Development in Hamden, to make these properties productive again,” stated Mr. Kroop.

Over time, the role of HEDC expanded into becoming a production agency for the Town by managing several projects and programs such as the design, remediation and restoration of Rochford Field and Villano Park. HEDC also helped to secure funds to demolish two of the blighted buildings at the location of the former Hamden Middle School.

HEDC also completed several projects and programs such as
• Structural Repair program for over 100 homes in 2009-2014. This program was re-established in 2020 and will complete repairs at 60 additional homes through 2023.
• Remediation and repositioning of commercial properties
• Zero Energy Housing
• Soil Management Fund
• Hamden Deconstruction Program
• CT DEEP Newhall Remediation Program
• Hamden Business Incubator
These projects were funded through state and federal grants as well as tax credits. All told, the work of HEDC resulted in over $34.6 Million of investments. Still there is work to do and Mr. Jackson will take over at a time when community needs continue. Mr. Jackson will serve as Assistant Director until Mr. Kroop’s formal retirement this fall.

“This is a great opportunity to continue forward on the path established by HEDC over the last two decades. This program has been a true difference-maker for residents and businesses alike, and I look forward to working with the Board of Directors to continue its entrepreneurial spirit, its accessibility to the program participants, and its commitment to working with partners to create timely solutions for our broad array of community stakeholders.”
For further information about HEDC go to

The HEDC & the NCDC are committed to developing the tax base & advocating for business in communities throughout CT including the New Haven Metro Region.

09/07/2023

Call today for more information on how the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce can support you and your business. We would love to hear from you! Reach out to Karen Halloran, Membership Director at [email protected] or 203-288-6431 to schedule your appointment.

06/28/2023

Pleased to announce....

06/28/2023

Hamden Economic Development Fund Announces its First Funded Programs

The Advisory Committee for the Hamden Economic Development Fund is pleased to announce the first two programs funded.

1. Women in Business: There will be three scholarships funded for young women who will graduate from Hamden High School, seeking a post High School degree in Business Administration or a similar degree. In collaboration with the Hamden Regional Chamber Scholarship fund, these awards will be $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 for educational costs at local colleges or universities.

2. Business Technical Assistance Program: The Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce will offer free technical assistance and training for the community and for businesses experiencing challenging business conditions. Training will provided by Evolution Enterprises and will focus on business planning, cash flow analysis, education and family planning. Focus will be on start-ups, solopreneurs and for general support or coaching.

About the Fund
This Hamden Economic Development Fund will invest in impactful economic development and entrepreneurial programs. This fund is not meant to replace current Town or Regional programs, or to provide direct assistance to local businesses.
The fund was set up to make investments in initiatives throughout Hamden with priority on economic development initiatives where they are most needed.
For more information about the Hamden Economic Development Fund, contact Dale Kroop at [email protected]

04/18/2023

PRESS RELEASE: April 2023
(NEW) Hamden Economic Development Fund Announcement

The Hamden Economic Development Corporation (HEDC) is pleased to announce the establishment of the (new) Hamden Economic Development Fund to support economic development in the Town of Hamden. The fund is managed through the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. The Fund was initiated through a partnership between the HEDC and the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce.

This fund will invest in impactful economic development and entrepreneurial programs. This fund is not meant to replace current Town or Regional programs, or to provide direct assistance to local businesses.

The fund was set up to make investments in initiatives throughout Hamden with priority on economic development initiatives where they are most needed.

Overview of the Hamden Economic Development Fund (The Fund)
The Fund may distribute grants for economic development purposes in Hamden, Connecticut addressing important issues such as Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship Training, Business Counseling, Technology Investments, Business Education and other purposes based on input from the community and with the advice and direction of the HEDC Advisory Committee. There is no formal application process.

There will be a social media presence for the fund that will promote the goals and funded initiatives and establish meaningful dialogue about economic issues affecting Hamden residents. Program or project investments will be made twice annually at a time to be determined by the Advisory Committee. It is anticipated that the initial investments will be announced in the summer of 2023.

For more information about the fund contact Dale Kroop at [email protected].

03/14/2023

Pre-bid walkthrough for the remediation of the Sessions Building in Bristol, great turnout, bids open on 3/28.

02/01/2023

Great Job Fair coming up

Calling all job seekers and students seeking internships: the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 6th Annual Internship, Career & Job Fair. The event will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 at the Shubert Theatre, at 247 College St., New Haven. The fair is geared toward colle...

12/24/2022

Business Assistance Center Ends 16 Year Run
The Hamden Economic Development Corporation HEDC) has announced the Business Assistance Center or BAC will close its’ program at the end of the year. The BAC has been providing direct assistance to start-up and small businesses since 2006. The services ranged from Business Plan development and Cash Flow analysis to Marketing, Book Keeping and Family Planning. The BAC also offered numerous training series programs. The most recent was in the fall of 2022. Over 16 years, the BAC helped all kinds of businesses from numerous day cares centers, salons, retail businesses, community services organizations and even a Ho**ah Lounge! Notable businesses that were assisted include the Soup Girl and Moon Rocks Cookies.

Our original plan was to be there for someone to just walk in with no experience in starting a business and get all the help they need. We ended up helping over 350 entities plan for or start a new business” stated Dale Kroop, Executive Director of the HEDC and former Director of Economic Development for the Town of Hamden. “We also helped numerous business who struggled from time to time, we went in like the calvary to help. There are many good service providers out there but we felt that it was important to dedicate someone right in Town” Kroop continued.

The company that provided the technical services for the Business Assistance Center is Evolution Enterprises, who is managed by Richard Pearce, a former commercial banking professional and Finance Director who developed and managed the program since the beginning. Mr. Kroop continued…” Richard is a really talented and unique service provider. He knows his stuff and makes everyone feel comfortable; he is a great teacher.”

Mr. Pearce will continue to provide the same services to start-up businesses. Please contact him at 203-248-3677 or [email protected] to see what help you can get.

12/01/2022

The project at 2259 State Street (former Stereo Station) HEDC help facilitate gets to the finish line. It was a transfer act site, polluted, blighted and quite a mess, now its a new business paying taxes .

10/31/2022

The New Colony Development Corporation Announces
Free Micro-Enterprise Education Program

Do you want to have control over your finances and reach your potential? The Hamden Business Assistance Center will help you start and succeed in your own business.
Training will be held at the ConnCORP Economic Lab located at 496 Newhall Street, Hamden November 16th, 17th and 21st at 7 PM. Each session will be between one and two hours. There is no charge for this program.

November 16, 2022
• What is the difference between a hobby and a business? What is an entrepreneur? What are common characteristics of entrepreneurs.
• Form of Business: Sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, and other forms will be discussed for their pros and cons.
• Options for entry: Will be thoroughly discussed as listed below.
 Start from scratch
 Buy an existing business
 Purchasing a franchise

November 17, 2022
Creating a The Business Plan: Topics that should be covered in a business plan.
• Purpose for writing a business plan
• Components of a business plan
• How to construct financial projections

November 21, 2022
Financing your business: (Moderator and Guest Speaker(s))
• Personal resources (i.e., “skin in the game”)
• Family and friends
• Business partners
• Investors

Space for this program is limited and pre-registration is requested at [email protected]. For further information contact Richard Pearce at [email protected]