DECD's Smith steps down Friday

PHOTO | HBJ File DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith is stepping down on Friday, Jan. 25.

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By Joe Cooper

Connecticut will be getting a new head of economic development, as Commissioner Catherine Smith told constituents Friday would be her last day leading the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

In an email Friday morning, Smith thanked members of DECD for their support over her eight years leading the agency.

Smith and her boss, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, left behind a mixed economic-development legacy, having invested over a billion dollars in major projects and programs that aimed to jumpstart job creation and retention.

Despite those efforts, and others, Connecticut's economy has underperformed most other states and is still perceived as a place — at least by some — that is unfriendly to businesses, a lingering reputation in the wake of two large tax hikes in 2011 and 2015.

Smith told the HBJ last month that she was frustrated the economy had not recovered faster, but she was confident the state would be worse off, if it weren’t for the work DECD had done.

During her tenure, Smith credited the agency with making strides in supporting major industries including advanced manufacturing and technology, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Gov. Ned Lamont has spent much of the last month filling out his cabinet, but the DECD commissioner post has yet to be addressed.

“The new commissioner will take the reins shortly, and I know he/she will want to hear your views and have your engagement,” Smith said in the email. “Please keep those ideas and suggestions coming.”

This story has been updated