October 08, 2019

Shoppers Alert: SoNo Collection Set to Debut in Norwalk

October 08, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

It’s big, splashy and opening its doors in Norwalk. The SoNo Collection mall is scheduled to open this week, two and a half years after construction began. It is owner Brookfield Properties biggest retail project in the Northeast since an expansion a decade ago of the Natick Collection mall in Massachusetts. The three-story project features 725,000 square feet of retail space, three atriums, a bowling alley and a rooftop-level garden.

October 04, 2019

Manufacturing Day to Feature Companies Across Connecticut

October 04, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

With modern, advanced manufacturing producing 21st century job opportunities in Connecticut and elsewhere across the country, and the number of retirements across the manufacturing fields growing, the spotlight is increasingly on industries that aren’t what they used to be.

September 30, 2019

Short Term Rentals on the Increase; State, Local Regulatory Oversight Less Certain

September 30, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

Are short term rentals (STRs), better known by their popular brand names such as Airbnb, good news for municipalities or asking for trouble? A new report by the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments seeks to air some of the pros and cons, as the number of stays (and income to hosts) continue to grow rapidly.

September 30, 2019

Busy Logan is Good News for Growing Bradley

September 30, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

New Englanders are flying more often to more destinations, and indications are that the trend will continue. Published reports suggest that the region’s largest airport, Logan in Boston, is on track to becoming one of the 10 busiest airports in the United States by 2022. That’s good news for the region’s second largest, Connecticut’s Bradley International.

September 17, 2019

Travelers Championship Raises $2.1 Million for Local Charities

September 17, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

The Travelers Championship has announced that the 2019 tournament generated more than $2.1 million for 150 local charities, including this year’s primary beneficiary, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. The impact of the tournament, one of the most highly regarded on the PGA Tour, reverberates throughout the state.

September 12, 2019

New Laws Turn to Veterans to Help Address Manufacturing Gap, Extend Benefits

September 12, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

State and veterans officials are highlighting three new laws taking effect on October 1 that are designed to support Connecticut veterans. All three - on job training programs, expanding eligibility for veterans to receive certain services, and on property tax relief - were approved unanimously by the state legislature this year.

September 09, 2019

4th Quarter Hiring Pace of 14% Predicted for Connecticut, Below National Expectations

September 09, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

Predictions that the economic sky will soon be falling continue to abound in Connecticut and nationally, but a new hiring outlook suggests that the remainder of this year will bring a continued positive job market, in the state and nationwide.

August 20, 2019

Best Cities for Soccer Fans? Hartford Ranks #8 Among Mid-size Cities

August 20, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

Professional soccer’s return to Hartford may be only months old, but the city is already gaining notice. A new national survey ranked Hartford as 8th best in the nation for soccer fans, among midsize cities hosting soccer franchises or with college soccer teams.

July 28, 2019

Best Practices in Land Use & Economic Development Certification Launched

July 28, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

‘Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development’ by municipalities in Connecticut will soon be able to earn recognition through a new industry certification program aimed at highlighting outstanding practices, coordinated by the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS).

July 17, 2019

Community College Grads Move to Better-Paying Fields in Years After Graduation, Data Shows

July 17, 2019/ Bernard Kavaler

A new report on Connecticut community college graduates finds that shortly after leaving college, many graduates are employed in industries such as retail and food service, but within months many move to other industries for employment, led by manufacturing and health care. The analysis also found that average wages rise significantly in the years following graduation.