What is CT20x17?

Businesses, community organizations, government & individuals coming together to boost Connecticut’s competitiveness by improving work and life.

CT20x17 Leadership & Partners

Steering Committee

10 Working Groups

Business Organizations

Community Organizations

Businesses Across the State

Connecticut Residents

Why CT20x17?

• State at an economic crossroads

• Lagging in regional, national economic recoveries

• Some progress in talent development, infrastructure, technology, regulatory reform

• National reports consistently rank our business climate at the bottom

• Our businesses and residents are leaving

No longer acceptable!!

We Need to

Pay Attention.

We Can No Longer Ignore the Numbers.

Residents Top Issues

CT 20x17 Working Groups

State Spending & TaxesBudget & taxes, financial discipline, long-term debt & liabilities, debt per capita, credit ratings, govt. streamlining, reform, efficiency

Business CostsLabor (wages & benefits), healthcare, energy, real estate, workplace mandates

Transportation & InfrastructureCapacity, usage, condition; options available; energy supply reliability & diversity; internet connectivity

EconomyLevels of employment/unemployment, income, state GDP, exports, housing, growth prospects

CT 20x17 Working Groups (continued)

Regulatory EnvironmentBusiness friendliness, balance of environmental, business interests; regulatory, legal & liability climates; workplace mandates

WorkforcePublic education, higher education, achievement gap, job training & retraining programs; talent availability

Technology & InnovationEntrepreneurship, business incubation, financial support, research & development, patents

CT20x17 Key Priorities Talent

• Fully implement state education reforms

• Better leverage investments in public higher education

• Stronger links between college curriculum and workforce needs to address skills gap

Fiscal Issues

• Focus on lean government operations

• Reduce long-term debt

• Create more competitive tax structure

• Establish ROI measurements for projects

Transportation

• Identify & accelerate priority infrastructure investments

• Protect Special Transportation Fund

• Invest in CT Railway infrastructure (lines, hubs & parking)

Business Costs

• Lower energy costs, improve capacity & efficiency, seek diverse portfolio of fuel sources

• Reject unnecessary mandates; measure business impact

• Eliminate sales tax on business services

Red Tape

• Expand efficiency practices to all government agencies

• Follow through on comprehensive regulatory reforms and provide online updates on the state website

• Develop and promote a business-friendly attitude

CT20x17 Key Priorities

CT20x17 Outreach & Engagement

February-July, 2014• Print, radio, outdoor, digital advertising• Business, community, media outreach• Social media

August-November, 2014 (election focus)• Outdoor, radio, print, digital • Business, community, media outreach• Social media• Direct mail• Grassroots• Legislative forums• Debate sponsorships

Interstate Billboards – Rt. 91 & 84

Metro North Platform Advertising

Business Banners & Signage

Social Media

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CT20x17 Outcomes

70 organizations have signed onto the campaign

Lots of interest across the state, including state agencies, DECD and Governor’s office

More than 100 meetings with candidates and newly elected legislators at company locations

Businesses are energized and want to do something to help

CT20x17 Next Steps

Finalize recommendations & strengths

CT20x17 launch with legislators in mid-January

Next phase of public awareness campaign

Statewide job fair in June 2015

Issue progress reports throughout session on recommendations

Conduct speaking engagements across state

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