Fairfield University students present policy solutions to Bridgeport business leaders

Undergraduate students at Fairfield University partnered with the Bridgeport Regional Business Council to develop policy recommendations aimed at addressing economic and infrastructure challenges facing the Greater Bridgeport region.

The collaboration was part of a “State & Local Politics” course taught by Professor Gayle Alberda, in which students conducted semester-long research on priority issues identified by the BRBC Government Relations Committee. Working in small groups, students produced policy briefs and presented two to three actionable recommendations per topic to Dan Onofrio, president and CEO of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, at the conclusion of the course.

The BRBC identified seven high-priority policy areas, including workforce and affordable housing, zoning barriers, high-speed rail access and renewable energy. Students analyzed data, reviewed existing policies and proposed solutions designed to inform real-world decision-making.

One group focused on workforce housing for households earning 60 to 120 percent of the area median income, or up to about $148,900 annually. Students found that while these families often earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing, they continue to struggle in the region’s housing market. The research noted that Connecticut’s housing shortage has contributed to more than 70,000 unfilled jobs statewide, as workers are unable to live near employment centers.

The group recommended adopting a program similar to the Norwalk Workforce Housing Program, which requires 10 percent of new housing units to be designated as workforce housing. Students also evaluated initiatives such as Good Neighbor Next Door and the Work with RIDE Act.

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“The goal is not to push change simply for the sake of change, but to develop practical solutions that support working families, essential workers, and the long-term stability of the Greater Bridgeport region,” said Amauri Rodriguez AA’25, ’27.

Another group examined Bridgeport’s exclusion from Acela high-speed rail service, noting that despite the city’s population and ongoing redevelopment efforts, it has not benefited from increased economic activity and higher property values associated with high-speed rail access. Students cited Connecticut’s underinvestment in rail infrastructure, compared with states such as Rhode Island, as a contributing factor.

Their recommendations included exploring private investment in rail service, reconfiguring seating to improve accessibility and increasing long-term infrastructure funding.

A third group analyzed the regional housing shortage, identifying a need for 6,318 additional housing units. Restrictive zoning in surrounding municipalities has created regional imbalances, leading to rising rents and stagnant wages. With Bridgeport issuing only 15 housing permits in 2023 and facing limited zoning capacity, students proposed streamlining permitting processes, strengthening regional coordination and offering targeted development incentives.

“I am grateful to the BRBC for giving us this opportunity to learn more about the housing landscape of the Greater Bridgeport area,” said Melody Olivan Sanchez ’26. “I was able to practice analytical and critical thinking skills on a research project that is directly within my neighborhood.”

A final group focused on renewable energy, highlighting offshore wind’s estimated $1.2 billion in annual economic output, while also noting challenges such as high electricity costs and lengthy environmental review timelines. While projects like Revolution Wind offer long-term benefits, students recommended expanding distributed solar and battery storage as faster, more cost-effective options for businesses.

“Working on this project over the semester has helped me gain insight into what is calling for action outside of our campus, and the research we conducted was not only engaging, but important for the BRBC and our surrounding community,” said Kathryn Grace Blangiardo ’29.

Onofrio praised the collaboration and the students’ work.

“After listening to the student presentations, I was genuinely grateful for the collaboration and impressed by the level of detail and research they brought to real challenges impacting businesses across our region, county and state,” he said.

The partnership reflects Fairfield University’s commitment to experiential learning, civic engagement and community-based research, connecting classroom instruction with policy challenges facing the Greater Bridgeport region.

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Fairfield University students present policy solutions to Bridgeport business leaders