Manufacturing Goes High Tech; Key Segment of CT Economy

Factory jobs in Connecticut slumped from 477,000 in 1969 – accounting for about one-third of total employment in the state – to just 174,000, about 10 percent of jobs statewide, in 2011, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data. In the new issue of The Connecticut Economy however, UConn economist Steven Lanza issues a “report card” on manufacturing that presents the sector as among the most dynamic in the state’s economy, transformed by advanced technologies linked to research and development that are providing a catalyst for economic growth.  The analysis notes that during the past two years, Connecticut manufacturing employment has remained steady at about 165,000 workers.

The manufacturing sector contributed 20 percent of the growth in the state’s economic output in the decade ending in 2010, Lanza estimates, while boosting productivity – the value of manufactured goods per worker – by more than 50 percent from 1990 to 2007, with 35 percent fewer workers.

“Expanding output and falling employment [over that timeframe] combined to raise productivity per worker from $57,900 to $135,800, an impressive 134 percent increase,” Lanza says. Enhanced productivity, in turn, also led to higher wages: in 2011, Connecticut factory workers – who are now more likely to have a graduate degree and wear a suit or lab coat to work – earned an average salary of $76,900, or 26 percent above the state’s all-industry average of $61,100.

Connecticut’s manufacturing profile has also changed drastically; high-tech firms now produce more than 70 percent of the state’s output with computer/electronic products and chemicals accounting for more than 13 percent and 30 percent, respectively, of the total output in 2010.

Lanza also details how the state is now a leader in the aerospace and defense-related transportation equipment field – largely in the production of aircraft engines, helicopters, and nuclear submarines – totaling 23 percent of the state’s manufacturing output in 2010, compared with 20 percent in 1997.

Lanza is executive editor of The Connecticut Economy, a quarterly journal published by the University of Connecticut’s Department of Economics that offers data, forecasts, and substantive, data-driven analyses of current events, longer-term trends, and public policies affecting Connecticut’s economy.

International Air Travel Connections Drop in Hartford, Jump in New Haven

The Brookings Institute has released data on the flow of international passengers in and out of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas.  The web-based data, drawn from a new report primarily comparing 2003 with 2011, highlights the scale of passenger traffic flows and points to the international markets where these ties are particularly strong. The report, “Global Gateways:  International Aviation in Metropolitan America,” released in October 2012, found that:

• International air travel in and out of the United States more than doubled between 1990 and 2011. The growth in international passengers during the 21-year period was more than double the growth in domestic passengers and real GDP
•  Since 2003, international air travel grew between the United States and every global region, with the strongest growth coming from emerging markets.
• Just 17 metropolitan gateways captured 73 percent of all international passengers starting or ending their trip in the United States as well as 97 percent of all international transfer passengers.
• As metropolitan economies expand their global reach through trade and investment, international avia­tion plays a pivotal role in the movement of people across national borders.

The national growth was not uniformly reflected in Connecticut.  Of all passengers flying to or from an international destination in Hartford, 17.9% flew direct.  The remainder required connecting flights.  The number of passengers flying internationally thru Hartford dropped from 347,311 in 2003 to 278,997 in 2011, a downward change of nearly 20 percent.  In 2003, Hartford was 40^th of 90 airport locations; by 2011 that had dropped to  47^th of 90.  The change was a 19.7 percent drop.

By way of comparison, Providence ranked 49^th in 2003 in international travelers and 69^th in 2011, reflecting a drop in passengers from 187,819 to 126,423, a drop of 32.7 percent.

The numbers for New Haven were considerably smaller, but tell an interesting story nonetheless.  The number of international travelers touching New Haven jumped by 133.5 percent between 2003 and 2011, from 1,645 passengers to 3,841 passengers.  That’s the largest percentage increase of any of the 90 locations in the nation.  In terms of the number of passengers, however, New Haven nudged upward from dead last (90th out of 90) to 89^th.

The Brookings data “goes beyond describing where passengers are going and tells us how they get there.”  Using data on transfer points and a map that visualizes each leg of each international route, it paints a portrait of how the global aviation infrastructure rises to meet the demand of international passengers.

Industry Growth and Enforcement: CT’s Twin Insurance Strategies

The Connecticut insurance sector plays a vital role in the global insurance landscape and the state's economy, according to a report from the Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services (IFS) Cluster and PwC US.  The report, released at the recent  2012 Insurance Market Forecast event in Hartford, highlighted the industry’s importance to the state, which was echoed in comments by the state Insurance Commissioner and Gov. Malloy. Commissioner Thomas Leonardi pointed out that “we regulate the 2^nd largest insurance industry in America,” noting that “if Connecticut were a stand-alone country, we would be one of the 10 largest insurance producing jurisdictions in the world.” You can’t ignore this industry without putting the state in great peril.”  Malloy said, stressing the need to both regulate the industry and view them as “partners” in job creation and economic development.

The 2012 Connecticut Insurance Market Report highlights the sector's rich history, current challenges and opportunities with analysis and findings from Connecticut IFS Cluster, PwC, and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC).

KEY STATS

According to the report, Connecticut ranks first nationally in insurance employment as a percentage of total state employment and the industry represents approximately 3 percent of the state's workforce, 6 percent of the state's payroll and 9 percent of the gross state product.  Full-time employment in the sector is said to be 50,242.

Insurance also impacts other sectors of the state's economy.  The report says that one new job in the insurance industry adds an additional 1.46 jobs to the Connecticut economy; an increase of $1 in insurance labor income puts an additional $0.78 into state commerce; and every year the insurance industry purchases an average of $2 billion in goods and services from other industries in Connecticut.

"The inaugural Insurance Market Forecast is the showcase effort of that collaboration and will serve as a valuable guidepost as we expand our efforts to attract businesses and talent to our state," said James Bedard, IFS Chairman and Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer for UnitedHealthcare's Northeast Region.  [CT-N video of event.]

Looking forward, the report emphasizes that competing globally, investing in education, retaining and developing human capital, and government-led economic development initiatives are essential to maintaining the state's leadership position in the industry and growing its economy.  To drive that future growth, the report identifies the five key megatrends – social, technological, environmental, economic and political – that will influence the world's insurance industry, explaining their implications, and offering ideas and actions for embracing them.

A year ago, Gov. Malloy’s office noted that there are more than 65,000 people who work in the insurance industry in Connecticut, described as being down by almost 25% over the past 20 years.  The report compares employment by state, highlighting the top nine:  California (179,936); Texas (163,690); New York (144,077); Florida (134,393); Illinois (112,408); Pennsylvania (110,484); Ohio (108,492); New Jersey (81,119); Connecticut (61,583).

CONSUMER INTEREST

The State Department of Insurance, even as it promotes development of the insurance industry, also goes to bat for consumers.  In the third quarter of 2012, the Department’s Consumer Affairs Unit (CAU) fielded more than 1,500 complaints and inquiries and helped policyholders recoup nearly $1.2 million. During that same period, the Market Conduct division levied more than $1.1 million in fines against carriers and returned that money to the state General Fund. The fines resulted from a variety of violations and settlements ranging from untimely claim payments to improper licensing.  Since January 1, the Department has recovered more than $6.3 million for policyholders and state taxpayers.

The majority of the funds recovered for policyholders stemmed from complaints over health, accident, homeowners and life and annuities policies. The Department calculates its consumer recoveries based on what the policyholder received as a result of the Department’s intervention. The inquiries and complaints also help the Department identify industry trends that may adversely affect consumers. This data also helps determine topics for consumer education and as tools to help the Department monitor the industry. The Market Conduct enforcement actions are posted on the Insurance Department’s web site at www.ct.gov/cid

Economic Impact of Arts & Culture in Hartford Region Gains Notice

When the MetroHartford Alliance and the Greater Hartford Arts Council brought business and arts leaders together at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts this week, it was the numbers that carried the day, touting the business benefits of the arts and culture industry.  The national study focused on regions across the country using data developed by Americans for the Arts.  In the Greater Hartford region, 123 local arts institutions participated, with more than 800 audience surveys. The top ten stand-out facts about the annual economic impact of arts and culture in the Greater Hartford area, which was defined as Hartford County and Tolland County:

1. Total Arts and Culture Industry expenditures in the Greater Hartford area:  $230.4 million
2. Full time equivalent jobs supported: 6,879
3. Revenue generated to local government: $5,184,000
4. Revenue generated to state government:  $16,244,000
5. Spending by Arts & Heritage Organizations;  $148,242,871
6. Event-Related Spending(total)excluding the cost of admission:  $82,005,472
7. Average Spending per person: $20.35 ($17.50 from residents of the region; $30.02 from those who reside outside the region)
8. Total Attendance:  4,028,850  (3,110,272 from within the region; 918.578 from outside the region)
9. Estimated aggregate value of volunteer hours:  $7,506,865 (7,258 volunteers donated a total of 351,445 hours to nonprofit arts and culture organizations).
10. Greater Hartford’s arts and cultural community ranks in the top 10% of metro areas across North America.

The findings also noted that of those surveyed:

• 48% of those attending a cultural event, and who live in the Greater Hartford area, would have traveled to a different community in order to attend a similar cultural experience.
• 60% of those who live outside the immediate region said the same.

The report concluded, therefore, that if the money wasn’t being spent in Hartford, it would be spent elsewhere.  The report’s overall  bottom line:  arts and culture is “an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is a cornerstone of tourism.”

The national study included 182 regions include 139 individual cities and counties, 31 multi-city regions, 10 states, and two arts districts and represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia.  Greater Hartford was one of the cities that participated in the survey, which was conducted using 2010 data.

The study results were announced at the MetroHartford Alliance's November Rising Star Breakfast, which  featured Randy I. Cohen, Vice President of Research and Policy for Americans for the Arts, and a local panel that included Catherine Smith, commission of the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development; Thomas E. Deller, director of Hartford’s development services and Michael Stotts, managing director of Hartford Stage. The event was sponsored by The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and included remarks from Cathy Malloy, executive director of the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

Quest Program Participants Target Issues From Sex Trafficking to Job Skills

Leadership Greater Hartford’s highly regarded Quest program develops and engages emerging and established leaders in the region through opportunities to sharpen skills, build new professional relationships and – most importantly - address pressing community issues.  The 2012 class of Quest – 47 participants strong – were grouped into four teams, each pursuing distinct and important projects during the course of the year.  Their work is already in evidence in the community, and received high praise at a recent “graduation” ceremony held at the Mark Twain House in Hartford.  The initiatives:

• The HartBeat Ensemble taskforce focused on what members described as the “appalling, abhorrent and terrifying nature of human sex trafficking” in the Hartford region, coordinating with the Hartford Police Department. They worked with HartBeat Ensemble, an ensemble company that creates original, professional theater based on stories from the community. To help increase public awareness of the issue, the taskforce developed a marketing, collaboration and public relations plan for their newest play in development, Project: Turnpike, which is based on the 2007 landmark federal trial of United States vs. Dennis Paris that took place in Hartford. The play represents 72 hours in the life of four exploited sex workers in a motel room on the Berlin Turnpike.  The play’s opening night is scheduled for April 24, 2013.

Law enforcement officials have observed that Hartford’s location  - near mass transit and between New York and Boston – contributes to the human trafficking industry’s presence here.  Recently, human trafficking – estimated to be a $32 billion-a-year business worldwide – has been the subject of a national crackdown by the travel industry, which has launched an initiative to train employees to identify and report potential trafficking incidents.    The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation along with Amtrak also announced plans to training 75,000 employees.

• The North End Career Resources taskforce focused on the importance of providing career resources to the North End community of Hartford.  They developed and conducted a “Job Skills Resources Fair” at the Albany Avenue Branch of the Hartford Public Library on September 25, 2012.  It was a job skills fair, not a job fair – with the goal of connecting fair attendees with the skills necessary to make them employable in a tough hiring environment.  The “vendors” were non-profit agencies that work in the areas of job skills training.
• The Billings Forge Community Works taskforce worked with Billings Forge Community Works, an innovative job education and training, housing, and community development organization that serves the residents of Hartford's Frog Hollow neighborhood. This taskforce accomplished three main goals: enhanced their corporate sponsorship program, implemented their auction event for the annual “Farm to Table” event/fundraiser and created an organizational membership program.
• The Hartford Children’s Theatre taskforce partnered with Hartford Children’s Theatre, which provides theatrical training and entertainment for Connecticut children and families. The taskforce focused on the summer theatrical production of Hartford Children’s Theatre and worked specifically in the areas of development, marketing and general public relations efforts.  In doing so, they not only raised sufficient funds to offset the costs of the production, they also provided input and novel suggestions for future marketing and fundraising operations.

Participating in Quest 2012 were:

Kelsey Aderman - Lincoln Financial Group Debbie Albrecht- Murtha Cullina, LLP. Deb Battit - Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Yvette Bello - Latino Community Services Theresa Benoit - ConnectiCare, Inc. Joe Bierbaum - Stone Academy Maureen Bowman - Travelers Monique (Roxanne) Brown - Phoenix Life Suzanne Butler - OptumHealth Katie Carges - Hartford Hospital Vrinda Dabke - OptumHealth Theresa Desilets - Cigna Steve  Dibella - Hartford Police Department Alisa Dzananovic - Saint Francis Hospital Martin Estey - Hartford Consortium for Higher Education Tom Farrish  - Day Pitney, LLP Fred Faulkner - The Open Hearth Julie Geyer - Capital Workforce Partners LaResse Harvey - Civic Trust Lobbying Company John Henry Decker - Certified Financial Planner Kelly Hewes - The Hartford Carolyn Hoffman - Junior League of Hartford, Inc. Margo  Kelleher - VestA Corporation Lynne  Kelleher - CT Children's Medical Center Ryan Kocsondy - University of Connecticut John McEntee - Travelers Nicole  Miller   Goodwin College Kelly Muszynski - OptumHealth Tokuji Okamoto - Our Piece of the Pie Mario Oquendo, Jr. - Hartford Fire Department Janet Pasqua - ConnectiCare, Inc. Lisa Pawlik - Catholic Charities Sara Phillips - Travelers Jason Roberts - Travelers Josie Robles - Hartford Behavioral Health Kevin Roy - Shipman & Goodwin LLP Michael Ryan - Lincoln Financial Group Leslie Sanborn - Oak Hill Jerene  Slivinsky - UnitedHealthcare Quinten  Smallwood - Travelers Danielle Smiley - City of Hartford - HHS Jen Sprague - United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut Paul Stigliano - Hill-Stead Museum Amelinda Vazquez - Eastern Connecticut State University Sonia Worrell Asare, Esq. -  Travelers Andrea  Young - Goodwin College

Housing Supply Tight, Prices High, Choices Limited, Report Finds

Housing continues to be a challenge across Connecticut, with a new report outlining data that reveals a tight supply, high prices and limited choices for individuals and families looking to live and work in the state. The HousingInCT2012 report, by Partnership for Strong Communities, highlighted the following:

• Despite a housing downturn that pushed median sales prices 19% below their 2007 peak, Connecticut residents struggled with a housing supply problem that kept prices among the highest in the nation.

• Connecticut's housing production fell to 50th among the 50 states in 2011 and for the 2002-2011 decade. As a result, the extremely modest demand for homes still left the state with the 8th highest median sales price in the nation.

• The number of communities with affordable housing fell. While the state’s median home sales price declined to $240,000 from a 2007 peak of $295,000, cities and towns where 10% or more of the housing stock was affordable dropped to 29 of 169, from 31.

• Renters -- now 33% of all Connecticut households, up from 30% just two years ago -- suffered most from the dearth of supply.  Connecticut remained 33,000 units short of the number of affordable rental homes needed and, even more telling, 82,000 units short of the number that were both affordable and available, according to the Census.

• 26% of Connecticut's 436,000 renting households earn less than 50% of the median income and spend half of that meager income on housing; 51% of all renters spend more than 30% of their incomes on housing.

The report also noted that Connecticut grew older, jumping to 9th in 65-plus population, while young workers with average education debt of about $25,000 and older workers and retirees – half or more with less than $25,000 in savings – fueled demand for smaller, denser, affordable and energy-efficient homes.

The Partnership publishes HousingInCT annually to provide the public with a snapshot of our state’s housing market and needs, using current data and research.

Family Owned Businesses May Spur State's Economic Recovery

A hint of optimism goes a long way.  At least that’s the hope of Connecticut’s small businesses heading into 2013.  A new survey has found almost two-thirds of respondents project sales and revenue growth next year, which, if realized, could be just the boost the state’s economy needs. That growth is increasingly coming from beyond the state’s borders, the survey found.  While 47% of family businesses surveyed identify Connecticut sales as their greatest source of growth, 42% trace the majority of their revenue to other U.S. states, and 11% to international sales. This represents a significant shift from as recently as 2009, when 59% said Connecticut was their largest customer base and only 2% reported international sales as their greatest source of revenue.

The 2012 Survey of Connecticut Businesses, produced by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association and the University of New Haven’s Center for Family Business, highlights the challenges, concerns, and growth prospects a critical sector of the state’s economy.  Almost half of the businesses surveyed said their workforces will remain stable, while 43% plan on hiring new employees in 2013. In addition, many said they anticipated making significant investments in equipment, IT systems, facilities, and training.

Industries represented in the survey included manufacturing, services, retailing, construction, finance, insurance, real estate, wholesale trade, transportation, communications, and utility services.  Many cited the high cost of doing business in Connecticut as the single greatest obstacle to growth.  A lack of skilled workers, particularly in computer/IT knowledge, engineering and mechanical skills, and management and leadership also were noted as ongoing concerns.

Employment looks brighter in 2013: in addition to 43% of family busi­nesses planing  on hiring new employees in 2013 (compared to 30% in 2012), nearly half (48%) expect no change in their company size in 2013. Only 9% expect a decrease in their workforce in 2013, compared with 13% in 2012.The survey questionnaire was emailed to top executives at 3,000 family companies in August 2012. There were 580 responses, for a response rate of 19.3%, and a +/- 4.15% margin of error.

The average tenure for employees at Connecticut’s family businesses is 20.2 years for family members and 12.7 years for non-family members—both substantially higher than the national average for employees overall (4.6 years as of January 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Family businesses are vital to their communities and to the economy. The survey found that more than three-quarters of family business owners (77%) consider it important or very im­portant that they leave a positive, lasting legacy, and 53% intend to pass their business on to the next generation.

Overall, family businesses comprise 80%−90% of all businesses in North America, contributing 64% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), employing 62% of the U.S. workforce, and outperforming non-family firms on measures such as operating return on assets.

The 2012 Survey of Connecticut Businesses is part of CBIA’s Family Business Program, an initiative designed to support and grow the state’s thousands of family businesses.  Sponsored by CohnReznick, First Niagara Bank, and Reid and Riege PC, the program features forums and networking opportunities where business leaders can discuss solutions to issues ranging from family governance to succession planning.

CT Leader in Jobs, Salaries in Community & Social Service Fields

If you’re interested in working in the community and social service fields, Connecticut is the place to be, according to the latest federal data.  Nationally, community and social service occupations had an annual mean wage of $43,830, which was just below the U.S. all-occupations mean wage of $45,230, according to data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the 2011 calendar year.   Out of the 17 occupations in the community and social service group, seven had a mean wage above the U. S. average and 10 had a mean wage below average. Connecticut, however, had among the highest levels in the nation. According to the federal agency, Connecticut had some of the highest annual average wages in the community and social services occupations, and a strong concentration of workers as well. The BLS reported recently that:

• Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford had the highest employment of any metropolitan area in Connecticut (2,370).   The area had the 14th-highest location quotient (2.00) out of all U.S. metropolitan areas and an annual average wage of $61,980. (Location quotients are useful for analyzing occupational employment while controlling for the size of the state. They are useful for comparing the composition of jobs in an area relative to the average or for finding areas that have high concentrations of jobs in certain occupations.)
• Waterbury, the metropolitan area with the highest location quotient (2.41) in Connecticut, had one of the highest average annual wages ($64,270) and employment of 330 for community and social service occupations.
• With an employment of 430 community and social service workers and a high location quotient (1.54), Norwich-New London had an annual average wage of $58,130, the lowest wage for this group out of the metropolitan areas in Connecticut, but still well above average.The Eastern non-metropolitan area had the second-highest annual average wage ($68,880) out of all U.S. non-metropolitan areas, the fourth-highest location quotient (2.63) out of all non-metropolitan areas, and an employment of 150 for community and social service occupations.

The state of Connecticut also has two non-metropolitan areas, Eastern and Northwestern.

• The Eastern non-metropolitan area had the second-highest annual average wage ($68,880) out of all U.S. non-metropolitan areas, the fourth-highest location quotient (2.63) out of all non-metropolitan areas, and an employment of 150 for community and social service occupations.

• The Northwestern non-metropolitan area had the third-highest annual average wage ($65,510) out of all non-metropolitan areas, the 21st-highest location quotient (1.84), and an employment of 140.

Nationally, some of the highest-paying occupations in the community and social service group were educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors ($56,540); health educators ($52,150); and probation officers and correctional treatment specialists ($52,110). Two of the lowest-paying occupations, social and human service assistants ($30,710) and religious workers, all other ($31,600), had the highest (359,860) and lowest (7,660) employment, respectively, in the occupational group.

Entrepreneurship is Focus of November Attention in CT and Beyond

November is a terrific month to glimpse the future.  Startup Weekend returns to New Haven the weekend of November 9-11.   And right behind it arrives Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 12-18. Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. It is the largest community of passionate entrepreneurs with over 400 past events in 100 countries around the world a year ago. All Startup Weekend events follow the same basic model: anyone is welcome to pitch their startup idea and receive feedback from their peers. Teams organically form around the top ideas (as determined by popular vote) and then it’s a 54 hour frenzy of business model creation, coding, designing, and market validation.

The weekends culminate with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback. Whether entrepreneurs found companies, find a cofounder, meet someone new, or learn a skill far outside their usual 9-to-5, everyone is guaranteed to leave the event better prepared to navigate the chaotic but fun world of startups.  New Haven and Hartford have been host to Startup Weekends in Connecticut.

Right on the heels of that weekend will be Global Entrepreneurship Week, when millions of young people around the world - including some in Connecticut -  join a growing movement of entrepreneurial people, to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things.

Countries across six continents come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week during Nov. 12-18, an initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. Students, educators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, employees, non-profit leaders, government officials and many others participate in a range of activities, from online to face-to-face, and from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings.

Among the Connecticut locations already signed on to participate in at least one activity during the week are Norwalk High School, Quinnipiac University, RHAM High School in Hebron, and Pathways to Technology Magnet School in Windsor.

National Park System Growing Rapidly, Coltsville Awaits OK

When U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited Hartford a little more than a year ago, the hope was that his support would push plans for a National Park designation for Hartford’s Coltsville complex over the goal line in Congress.  The project has been advocated for more than a decade by state political leaders in Washington, most visibly by First District Congressman John B. Larson.  The slow pace of final approval may be related to what USA Today recently described as a “growth spurt” in the national park system. Among states with pending National Park Service sites: Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico and Ohio. Ten sites have been added since May 2004; a record 33 were added in 1978. Only Congress can create national parks, but the president can designate national monuments. A commission that proposed goals for the National Park Service's future recommended in 2009 that the process for selecting new sites be streamlined.

“The Coltsville National Historical Park Act,” introduced in Congress two years ago and again last year, would establish a  National Historical Park after certain conditions are met, including the donation of at least 10,000 square feet in the East Armory to be used for a Colt museum and the donation of the land within the proposed Park boundaries. The bill would also give the Secretary of the Interior authority to enter into written cooperative agreements with the various land owners living in Coltsville as well as with various museums in order to acquire different artifacts for display in the Colt museum.

The proposed park has two goals: commemoration and economic revitalization. “The Coltsville National Historical Park Act of 2011 is designed to preserve the important story of Samuel Colt and boost our economy by revitalizing downtown Hartford,” Larson and Senator Joseph Lieberman wrote, in an op-ed in the Hartford Courant. “A recent National Parks Conservation Association study found every federal dollar invested in national parks generates at least $4 in benefits to state and local economies. Connecticut deserves this boost.”

Hartford waits, but is certainly not alone.