Freed Marcroft Hosts Judges from the Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) Challenge

On Thursday evening, Freed Marcroft was honored to host Hartford city officials, representatives of the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA), and judges from both the Evaluation Panel and Selection Committee of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) Challenge.

SC2 Hartford is an EDA grant-funded competition designed to glean detailed, actionable economic development plans. Its goal is to establish Hartford as the city where first time, serial, and second-stage entrepreneurs start companies and grow them with ease. Teams have the opportunity to win cash awards from a total pool of $900,000 in the two phases of the competition. Only three cities were chosen to host SC2 Challenges: Hartford, Greensboro, NC, and Las Vegas.

Registration to compete began in February 2014 and ran for nearly six months. During that time over 7,000 visitors from 56 countries have been logged on the SC2 Hartford website. With registration now closed, 59 participating teams are developing their innovative economic development proposals, which are due September 22nd.

The SC2 Judges come from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, including development and construction, technology, law, cultural affairs, city planning, economic development, transit, higher education, and entrepreneurial development and funding. Meghan Freed and Kristen Marcroft were both selected to serve as judges.