Innovation Clusters

Eligibility

Final applications for Innovation Cluster funding will be submitted by project teams consisting of a municipality and one or more businesses, non-profit organizations or higher education institutions. An RFI issued by DECD in June of 2024 will solicit expressions of interest and supporting information from prospective teams or individual entities interested in forming or joining a project team. Prospective team partners are encouraged to collaborate on RFI submissions.

Final project teams will then be designated by DECD in response to received RFI submissions and invited to prepare full proposals for project funding.

Request for Information (RFI)

DECD issued an RFI on June 3, 2024.  Any questions about the RFI or the program in general can contact Innovation.Clusters@ct.gov.

Project Evaluation Criteria

The state is looking to support transformational placemaking projects that take advantage of the state's existing transit-oriented infrastructure. Successful project proposals will seek to optimize a combination of workforce training, economic development, and regional collaboration elements. The projects should lead to the rapid creation of jobs and facilities to support growth of Connecticut’s key innovative industries.

In its evaluation of proposals, DECD will prioritize:

  • Infrastructure to support the application of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to industries in which Connecticut has established comparative advantage, such as: biotechnology, financial technology and advanced manufacturing, among others;
  • Leveraging partnerships with local businesses, universities, real estate developers, post-secondary educational institutions, philanthropic or other not-for-profit entities to maximize investment;
  • The creation of walkable downtown or campus settings, whose attributes support on-site job training, together with skills-based training, career placement, and an ongoing hiring pipeline;
  • Transit-oriented development;
  • Equitable development through infrastructure, housing, and community amenities;
  • Attracting and developing talent;
  • Demonstration of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
  • Ensuring local improvements through community benefit agreements.
DECD Funding Awards
  • DECD will use up to $100 million to support specific projects, with the goal that the projects secure a minimum public/private match of 1:1.
  • While other sources of state funding can be part of the capital stack, they will not count as leveraged funding toward the grant award.
  • State funds cannot be used for programmatic or operational expenses.
  • DECD will make awards on a rolling basis.
Other Requirements

All capital project policy requirements will be included in the assistance agreement for project components, including:

  • Prevailing Wage Requirements to any DECD construction projects of receiving $1,000,000 or more in assistance. The CT Department of Labor will determine if these requirements are applicable to a project.
  • DECD Affordable Housing Requirements for any project with at least 10 net new units, which must be deed-restricted for 30 years at either 20% of units at 80% AMI or 10% of units at 60% AMI.
  • Include non-recourse mortgage, 10-year use restriction, and 10-year negative pledge.