Several towns in Southwestern Connecticut have been named by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as an Economic Development District.  The municipalities include Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Wilton, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, and Westport.  4th District Congressman Jim Himes says this will allow the region to consider applying for Public Works, Economic Adjustment, Planning and other grants offered by the federal government.  The Western Connecticut Council of Governments launched the effort to get the designation in 2015.  The application was supported by Himes and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.