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BERC
10 Middle Street
Bridgeport, CT 06604
203-335-1108
mdallas@berc-ct.com
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Accomplishments
BERC is in its ninth year of helping local businesses expand,
attracting new businesses to Greater Bridgeport, and marketing
the City of Bridgeport as a good place to do business.
Since its inception in 1998:
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BERC has
created and/or retained over 1,700 jobs in the city of
Bridgeport.
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BERC has
relocated 43 companies to Bridgeport.
BERC has assisted in preparing 200 applications for State Enterprise
Zone
benefits.
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BERC has
assisted 45 businesses in obtaining financing.
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BERC has
placed over 1,450,700 square feet of vacant space back to
productive private sector use.
BERC founded the Metal
Manufacturers’ Education and Training Alliance (METAL) – an
official state economic development cluster.
BERC assisted METAL in obtaining over $2 million in federal and
state funds for program support.
BERC created
the successful PERC program, designed to develop and deliver
customized employee skills training for four enterprise
community companies.
In 2003, BERC assisted Pitney Bowes in its efforts to relocate
to Bridgeport.
In 2004, BERC, along with the Bridgeport Regional Business
Council (BRBC) successfully convinced the mayor not to implement
a 15 percent business tax surcharge.
In 2004 and 2005, BERC managed the city’s Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) process, and drafted the
CEDS document.
In 2004 and 2006 BERC hosted its biannual Open House. The Open
House, attended by Tri-State area real estate brokers,
developers and investors, highlights development activity within
the city as well as relocation and investment opportunities.
In 2006 BERC was asked by the City of Bridgeport to manage the
developer selection process for a vacant 65,000 square foot
parcel in the city’s North End Community.
A developer has been
selected for the North End property, POKO Partners LLC who
will build 28 affordable housing units and 14,000 square feet of
retail space.
In 2006 BERC drafted and issued a Request for Qualifications and
Request for Proposals and managed the developer selection
process for
11
city-owned acres adjacent to the ballpark and arena.
The
development team selected is comprised of some of the nation’s
best known and capable firms: Vornado Realty, Canyon Johnson
Urban Fund, and Mid-City Urban LLC. BERC will assist in
negotiating a development agreement.
BERC’s accomplishments for 2006 can be found in our 2006
Annual report.
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