Hartford Business Journal

18 Hartford Business Journal • November 12, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com By Matt Pilon mpilon@hartfordbusiness.com W hen a large New England Coca-Cola bottler announced plans last month to invest nearly $65 million in an East Hartford produc- tion line and a new office and distri- bution facility in South Windsor, what went unreported was the behind-the- scenes involvement of a newcomer to the region: David Griggs, CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance. Griggs and his team organized con- ference calls and meetings between Coca-Cola of Northern New England and area real estate and government officials, and continue to work with the New Hampshire-based company. It's the kind of role the Alliance, an amalgam of a chamber of commerce and economic development organization, has played in the past, at least to an extent. But now the organization is looking to significantly ramp up those efforts as part of a new strategic direction, in which it will act more like a private economic development agency. "We're going to do some things that maybe haven't been done here in a while, or if they have been done, we'll do them more aggressively," Griggs said. The plan includes an internal re- structuring with new leadership staff, beefing up recruiting strategies and an unprecedented level of travel to sell Greater Hartford across the country. The Alliance is also spinning out its chamber function, bringing back the old Hartford Cham- ber of Commerce name it hasn't used for 17 years. The aim is to recruit new members, which it calls "inves- tors," of all sizes at a time when chambers across the state struggle to maintain their ranks. The Alli- ance, for example, shed approximately 10 percent of its membership over the past 22 months, to just under 500. Griggs said he hopes to correct that as soon as possible through renewed outreach efforts. Separating the Alliance's key func- tions will allow for a distinct focus on each. Both organizations will also have their own soon-to-be hired leader reporting to Griggs. Another new position, a research di- rector, will also be added. That person will gather data and intel that informs the Alliance's recruitment and market- ing efforts. Griggs, known for his data- driven strategies, said questions that director may tackle include: How does Greater Hartford compare with other U.S. metros that compete for compa- nies in the same key industries? How do corporate executives in major cities across the country perceive Hartford and what informs those opinions? MetroHartford Alliance Chairman Andy Bessette said the organization isn't changing its mission or core functions, it just wants to do each of them better. "When we went to search for a new leader, we said 'we don't want to be just a chamber, we want to be a world- class regional economic development organization,' " said Bessette, who is also the chief administrative officer of The Travelers Cos. The best value the Alliance can provide to its investors, whether they have a few employees or thousands, is to help build a stronger regional economy, he said. "Talk to any of the big companies' CEOs around here, they all support that," Bessette said. "Having a strong urban core is critical to the success of the region." How will the Alliance, which report- ed $5.1 million in revenue in 2017, pay for its new initiatives? Bessette said Travelers and some other large investors — who pay higher dues than smaller members — have agreed to increase their financial commitments by just over 10 percent. The Alliance, which eliminated some David Griggs President and CEO, MetroHartford Alliance Previous leadership roles: Greater Minneapolis St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership, Vice President of Business Investment and Research and Vice President of Business Investment Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, Business Development Director Education: Bachelor's degree in urban planning and regional analysis, State University of New York, Buffalo State College Master's degree in planning, University at Buffalo Strategy Reboot MetroHartford Alliance's new direction focuses on economic development, revival of Hartford Chamber Andy Bessette, Board Chairman, MetroHartford Alliance MetroHartford Alliance CEO and President David Griggs is implementing a new strategy that will have the regional chamber of commerce playing a larger economic-development role. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER

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