Catherine Smith Email & Phone Number

Northford, Ct, Us

Hartford, Connecticut Area

• Spearheaded the cross-agency state effort to generate economic activity and expand business across Connecticut. Orchestrated the creation of the Small Business Express program and the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, which supported over 3000 CT companies.• While in office, the unemployment rate dropped from 9.7 to 4.0%; 125,000 new private sector jobs were created; added 6 new Fortune 500 companies to the state (from 11-17); new company creation rose 24%; the number of incubators and accelerators tripled. • Successfully negotiated agreements to retain and grow major employers (UTC, Sikorsky, Electric Boat, Cigna, Bridgewater, AQR, Synchrony) and brought over 100 new companies to CT (e.g., Charter, Infosys, Navigators)• Urban and transit-oriented development focused over $200 million in brownfield funds to greatly improve urban areas, developing housing, educational facilities and amenities.• Supplied expertise and grants to historic preservation and arts communities; created the “Good to Great” Grant program, which provides transformative grants to not-for-profit organizations that enhance cultural and historic sites across Connecticut.• Introduced LEAN Six Sigma approaches to DECD to streamline functions and processes; upgraded systems from 1970 to current levels (e.g., CRM, workflow systems, document management); increased volumes by 10x.• Served on over 20 state-wide boards and advisory committees

Windsor, Ct