The state’s professional association dedicated to advancing the practice of economic development in Connecticut, CEDAS (Connecticut Economic Development Association), has named Southbury Economic Development Director Kevin Bielmeier as its president for 2025.
Bielmeier has been a CEDAS member since 2016, serving four years on their board of directors, chairing the programs committee, with two years as 1st Vice President on their Executive Board. He has been the town of Southbury’s first economic development director since October 2019, and also serves on the board of the Southbury Chamber of Commerce.
Joining Bielmeier on the 2025 CEDAS Executive Board are First Vice President, Michelle Lapine McCabe (CT Main Street Center), Treasurer, Mark Barnhart (Town of Fairfield), Secretary, Karen DelVecchio (Pat Munger Construction) and Immediate Past President, Paige Bronk (M&J Engineering). Additional board members include Michael Anderson (Avangrid), Jim Bellano (Town of Windham), Anne Benowitz (Greater New Haven Chamber), Nicole Bosco (New Britain Downtown District), Michael Ceccorulli Esq., Sheri Cote (U.S. - S.B.A.), Gene Goddard (MetroHartford Alliance), Sabrina Godeski (City of Norwalk), Erin Howard (Grow America), Rista Malanca (Northwest Hills Council of Governments), Aaron Marcavitch (Town of Enfield), Lisa Mercurio (AdvanceCT), Elizabeth Nocera (City of New London), George Norfleet (CT-DECD), Rose Ponte (Town of Farmington), Lauren Siegel (Town of West Hartford), Dan Smolnik (Town of Hamden), and Gioia Zack (Town of Wethersfield).
The Town of Southbury received Gold Level recognition for “Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development” at the CEDAS annual meeting this past fall.
Since 1962, CEDAS has been committed to advancing the practice of economic development in Connecticut. The association encourages communication among its wide network of members about economic development issues by providing a forum for discussion and information exchange. To foster economic growth in Connecticut, CEDAS lobbies for legislation necessary to sustain and improve the state’s economy. Its reach is furthered through partnerships with the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development (DECD), AdvanceCT, Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC), and the Connecticut Council of Municipalities (CCM).
To learn more about CEDAS visit www.cedas.org.
Kevin Bielmeier