Quarterly Update – October to December 2021

Quarterly Update- October to December 2021

So much has happened since we really scaled this past summer.  The seeds we planted then and harvested with new seeds in the autumn are beginning to bear fruit in 2022.  It is very exciting to witness the results of dedication, patience, and passion for helping communities embrace and practice economic resilience.

OCTOBER

The US Small Business Administration notified Sagax Associates that they have conditionally approved the company as an “Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business” and may submit bids on projects with this classification while final approval is pending. We received final official approval in January.

Sagax was awarded a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Update for the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) as the prime contractor.

Sagax engaged Ernst & Young Economic Development Advisory Services with a subcontract to provide technical assistance on a US Economic Development Administration Phase 1 Build Back Better regional cluster application facilitation for a client (confidential) located in the MidWest.

Attended the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) annual conference in person in Portland, Oregon; and it was a pleasure meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with established colleagues and learning about all the great work NADO is up to!

University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Design, City and Regional Planning (Kirsten McGregor’s alma mater) Sea Level Rise and Resilience Planning Studio in-person in Philadelphia (virtual in September and December’s final presentation)

LinkedIn live summaries:  “Equity- How do you define it?” DEI- Persons with Disabilities, USEDA Build Back Better “Gets a Gold Star,” and “Resilience Planning: Data, Local Champions, Cross-sector, Intergovernmental, Capacity” (also streams to Facebook and YouTube)

NOVEMBER

The Counselors of Real Estate certified and invited Kirsten McGregor to be a member.  The induction will take place in late January online due to pandemic restrictions.

Kirsten McGregor traveled to Mystic, Connecticut for our new client, seCTer (South Eastern Connecticut Enterprise Region).  Along with our subcontractor, client staff and board members, we had a fantastic site visit which included a well-attended kickoff meeting, stakeholder meetings, windshield tour, and navy base tour.  Kirsten also spoke at their annual meeting as the keynote speaker.

Kirsten McGregor travelled to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands for a site visit with our client, the Virgin Islands Research Tech Park.  We engaged in several meetings, site visits, and of course, made sure to go to the beach!

Kirsten McGregor was on a panel with Dr. David Alderson for the Society of American Military Engineers where they presented on the concept of resilience and the relevant federal funding landscape.

Kirsten McGregor was listed as a “Top 50 GovTech Thought Leader” by Thinkers 360 for the second time this year.

LinkedIn Live summary: “Resilience is not what you have, it is what you do” live from St. Croix (also streams to Facebook and YouTube)

DECEMBER

Kirsten McGregor was listed on Forbes “Next 1000” list of entrepreneurs to watch out for.

Sagax Associates became a member of the Delaware and National Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Resilient Roundtable LinkedIn Live–  this month Kirsten McGregor spoke with Steve DeBlasio who worked for FEMA and is now with the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) Steve has worked on several missions including 9-11, Saipan, Sandy, Irma & Maria- among several others. (also streams to Facebook and YouTube)

Kirsten McGregor was listed as a “Top 20 Renewable Energy Influencer” by the Carbon Negative Alliance for the second time this year.

LinkedIn Live summaries: Top 5 Things to Consider When Preparing an Application (or repurposing you phase 1 BBB application) for USEDA (also streams to Facebook and YouTube)