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Bridgeport Brings Home the Gold – And Our Region Shines With It

By Dan Onofrio, CEO/President

The Bridgeport Regional Business Council is proud to celebrate the City of Bridgeport’s recent recognition as a Gold Level community in Connecticut’s Best Practices in Economic Development & Land Use Planning program, administered by the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS).

CEDAS launched the Best Practices Certification Program to encourage higher standards in municipal economic development and land use, and to highlight communities that are setting the bar for others across the state. Achieving Gold status means Bridgeport is being recognized as “best of the best” in how it plans, grows, and supports its local economy.

Gold Level standing builds on the foundations of the Bronze and Silver tiers and reflects:

  • Superior performance in strategic planning, leadership, and community engagement.
  • A fully integrated approach that links business development, planning, zoning, and code enforcement into a coordinated framework.
  • Innovation and transferability – programs that work here and can serve as models for other communities.
  • Measurable impact on business growth and economic vitality.
  • A culture of continuous improvement, with clear goals for what comes next.

For BRBC, this recognition is more than a plaque – it’s a validation of the collaborative work happening every day between the City, regional partners, and the business community.

From modernizing zoning and development processes to strengthening code enforcement and neighborhood investment, Bridgeport is demonstrating how thoughtful policy and strong partnerships translate into real opportunity on the ground.

We’re also thrilled that at this year’s CEDAS Annual Meeting and Best Practices Awards Ceremony, regional partners and long-time BRBC collaborators were honored for their leadership. Our congratulations go to:

  • Mark Barnhart, Director of Fairfield’s Office of Community & Economic Development, on receiving the President’s Award.
  • Joe Ercolano, outgoing State Director of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), on receiving the Kenneth L. Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from CEDAS, recognizing more than two decades of impact in Connecticut’s economic development ecosystem.

BRBC is proud to partner with these offices and individuals, whose work strengthens small businesses, supports entrepreneurs, and advances shared prosperity across our region.

This Gold Level achievement is a milestone for Bridgeport—and a platform to do even more. BRBC will continue to stand alongside the City of Bridgeport, Fairfield, CTSBDC, and our many public- and private-sector partners to:

  • Support business attraction, retention, and expansion
  • Advocate for smart, inclusive land use and infrastructure investment
  • Champion resources that help businesses start, grow, and thrive

Congratulations to the City of Bridgeport, Mark Barnhart, and Joe Ercolano on these well-deserved recognitions. We look forward to building on this momentum together.

For more information about the CEDAS Best Practices Certification Program, visit the CEDAS website