CT SB00121

Changes the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development's authority from discretionary ("may") to mandatory ("shall") to provide economic development services to regional economic development districts within available appropriations.

Requires the Commissioner to make priority regional grants to regional economic development districts for municipal development projects, services, economic development, and manufacturing assistance.

Removes the annual reporting requirement for regional economic development district boards and replaces it with a requirement to develop new or revised comprehensive economic development strategies at least once every five years.

Grants regional economic development district boards explicit authority to implement approved comprehensive economic development strategies, including entering into contracts and accepting grants or financial assistance from state, federal, or private sources.

Establishes annual reporting requirement for regional economic development district boards to report progress on implementing their comprehensive economic development strategies to the Commissioner and Secretary.