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www.HartfordBusiness.com • June 3, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 13 like Rhode Island and Maryland are already doing, Wray said. The idea is to have a program in place that can help a growing employer, such as a manu- facturer, staff up quickly. "Where do you go," Wray asked, "if you need 100 lathe operators?" Connecticut has sought to ramp up its manufacturing workforce in recent years through programs involving col- leges, employers and state agencies. But Wray says that effort needs to be put on steroids — scaled up to make a bigger impact. "The pieces are all there, but they may not be coordinated," he said. A more systematic approach to keeping the state's many college graduates in Connecticut, by better connecting them to local employers, is second talent strategy in the CEDS. A third talent-related recommenda- tion is to establish a "dual-track" train- ing model in the region, similar to systems used in Colorado, Washington and Germany, which provides a clearer path to a career with a living wage for residents who don't attain or pursue a traditional college degree. The dual-track model, according to the report, will be particularly important to closing racial economic disparities, since it "explicitly" targets untapped sources of potential talent, including minorities, as well as the broader popu- lation that's not college bound. Blocking and tackling Greater Hartford, the CEDS says, lacks a formal business retention, expansion and attraction program, a vacuum the MetroHartford Alliance wants to fill, according to CEO David Griggs. Under the CEDS plan, the Alliance, with help from various partners, would ramp-up its role as a marketer, intel gatherer, business services direc- tory, outreach coordinator and "deal flow" partner for the region in order to identify and communicate common barriers to business investment. Griggs said that will require a coor- dinated approach among the Alliance, area business chambers, municipal officials and others. It will also require an estimated $6.5 million over five years for additional economic-devel- opment and other staff. The idea is to have a process in place for gathering intel and data from com- panies that might be looking to make location or expansion decisions. "It's the blocking-and-tackling of economic development," said Griggs, who plans to approach his investors about funding the effort. "It's just the basic thing you need to do." The Alliance is already starting to collect data on decisions employees make about where they want to work. Griggs said his team has been surveying new hires at some of its largest member companies to determine how young workers view the region. Economic-development blueprint The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Metro Hartford lays out this brief but ambitious list of growth targets between 2020-2025. As of 2016 Five-year growth goal (2020-2025) 2025 growth target Population: 1,206,800 3-4% 1,243,000 to 1,255,100 GDP: $90 billion 5% or more $94.5 billion or more Disparity in median household income: White, non-Hispanic: $80,800 - Black: $45,800 $57,500 Hispanic: $37,600 33%+ decrease in disparity $52,000 Disparity in poverty rate: White, non-Hispanic: 5.7% - Black: 19.3% 14.8% Hispanic: 28.2% 33%+ decrease in disparity 20.7% Disparity in employment rate: White, non-Hispanic: 62.7% - Black: 59.1% 60.3% Hispanic:57.5% 33%+ decrease in disparity 59.3%% Note: Dollar figures in the "2025 growth target" column would need to be inflation adjusted. Source: 2019 CEDS plan "Metro Hartford Future" Join us this June, as we celebrate Hartford Arts Month with hundreds of performances, exhibitions, classes, festivals and activities ta'in# place throu#hout the month! Be part of the LetsGoArts.or#/ArtsMonth brought to you by celebration! Celebrate Hartford. Celebrate creativity. Arts Hartford Month RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW! contact Donna Collins, Associate Publisher at 860-236-9998 ext. 121 Or dcollins@HartfordBusiness.com BE A PART OF DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT 2019! View the 2018 Digital Edition at www.DoingBusinessinCT.com Doing Business in Connecticut showcases Connecticut's many economic development opportunities, and the attributes that make Connecticut the place to work, live and play. The resource for all companies looking to expand in or relocate to Connecticut. ALL NEW EDITION! PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES: • Sponsorships • 2-Page Company Profi le • Advertising