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10/20/2021 08:10 AMSheri Cote has been named as the newly established Guilford-Madison economic development director. According to a joint town press release, Cote will assist and advise both first selectmen and both economic development commissions on matters relating to the promotion and development of economic resources to improve tax bases and employment, and to stimulate business activity including working to retain and/or expand existing businesses, and recruiting new businesses.
In a release, Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey, said the regionalizing aspects of the appointment will benefit both towns.
“Ms. Cote has served as Guilford’s interim economic development coordinator in a part time capacity for the past year and we look forward to her continued support while also embarking on this regional partnership with the Town of Madison,” said Hoey.
According to the release, Cote has an extensive background working with the business community including. Her résumé includes serving as the president of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. She is also the former vice president of the Connecticut Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and served on the Waterford Board of Education and the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Tourism Coalition.
“We look forward to Ms. Cote joining our team and are excited about this new partnership with our neighboring town,” Madison First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons said in the release. “Ms. Cote is well regarded in our regional business community and will provide us with an important resource to keep Madison’s post-COVID recovery on track. She will also be spearheading the development of a long-term economic plan that aligns our policies with our community’s vision and needs.”
A resident of Old Lyme, Cote has a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Charter Oak State College and an associate’s degree in accounting from Three Rivers Community College. She can be reached at cotes@guilfordct.gov and cotes@madisonct.org.
In a previous conversation with The Source, Lyons said there is much anticipation about the appointment and the potential it could provide to each town.
“We are testing a partnership with Guilford on economic development. It is exciting because it will be an interesting opportunity to see how we can share resources for the benefit of both towns,” Lyons said. “Technically, this person will be a Guilford employee, but we will share the cost. It will be a nice change and a way to offer better services to our communities.”