Hartford Business Journal

4 Hartford Business Journal • November 19, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com Week in Review Briefs Univ. of St. Joseph's to launch blockchain certificate programs The University of St. Joseph (USJ) says it's collaborating with a New Haven nonprofit to launch Greater Hartford's first certification programs that prep students for careers in blockchain technologies. USJ announced it's partnering with educational developer group DappDevs to develop two certification programs as businesses expand their use of blockchain, a decentralized digital ledger of transactions. The West Hartford-based school, which began enrolling male students this fall, is rolling out a four-week, pre-certificate blockchain program, meant for faculty, current college students or graduates, on Feb. 2. Weekly sessions will last three hours. Weeks after, USJ will begin a six-week certification program running from March 5 to April 11. The program will host two, three-hour sessions each week. Program participants will learn how businesses and individuals are using blockchain technology in large commercial financial transactions and individual transactions, school officials said. Hartford Boat Show docks at Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun's new $80 million convention center will host another event in January that was formerly housed in downtown Hartford. The Hartford Boat Show, owned by nonprofit Connecticut Marine Trades Association (CMTA), will celebrate its 50th year at Mohegan's new Earth Expo & Convention Center from Jan. 17 to Jan. 20. Meantime, Mohegan's 250,000-square- foot venue recently hosted a three- day Connecticut International Auto Show, which was a longtime annual exhibitor at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Hartford's loss of the two prominent downtown expos underscores the increasingly competitive market for luring conventions and entertainment performances. MGM Springfield's new $960 million casino, which has 34,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, is also expected to crowd the industry. Report: CT casinos generate $3.7B economic impact in '16 A new report found Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun in 2016 generated more than $3.7 billion in economic activity through jobs, wages, taxes and other measures. The "2018 Indian Gaming Industry Report" by Meister Economic Consulting, on behalf of the American Gaming Association (AGA), said Connecticut's tribe-owned casinos also supported 24,245 full-time jobs that generated more than $1.2 billion in income for workers. AGA said the fiscal impact in tax revenue and revenue-share payments from Foxwoods and Mohegan reached almost $769 million in 2016. The report says tribal gaming makes up 45 percent of all U.S. gaming revenue. Courtyard by Marriott Southington debuts Courtyard by Marriott says it opened a new 125-room hotel in Southington. Billed as Courtyard by Marriott Southington, the facility at 1081 West St. is owned by AVA Realty Southington and managed by Titan Hotel Group of Pennsylvania. The cost of the development was not released. The four-story hotel is located 2½ miles from Bristol's Lake Compounce amusement park and just over 3 miles from ESPN's North Campus. Hartford HealthCare to acquire cardiology group for $1.3M Hartford HealthCare has agreed to purchase Middlesex Cardiology Associates and its three locations for $1.3 million. HHC filed an application with the state on Sept. 21 to acquire the nine- physician group and its support staff of 48 people at locations in Middletown, Old Saybrook and Marlborough. The deal requires approval from the Office of Health Strategy. As part of the deal, the cardiology group's current leadership would continue overseeing its Middlesex County operations. The combined groups said they plan create a "destination center of excellence in cardiovascular disease." TOP STORY Hartford Athletic owners exploring lacrosse, rugby pro teams T he owners of the Hartford Athletic soccer club are exploring opportunities to bring professional rugby and lacrosse to historic Dillon Stadium. Bruce Mandell, CEO and chairman of Hartford Sports Group (HSG), says he and his partners, Joseph Calafiore Jr. and Scott Schooley, have spent additional money to upgrade Dillon Stadium with artificial, organic turf in hopes it will someday accommodate both professional rugby and lacrosse. HSG is in the beginning stages of pursuing the new teams, drawing inquiries from several leagues, Mandell said. He did not elaborate on which leagues were under consideration. Their pursuit of another team is multi-faceted, but it's mainly driven by trying to make better use of the soon-to-be renovated Dillon Stadium, which is being upgraded through a $10 million state Bond Commission commitment. HSG is also investing at least $10 million in the Hartford Athletic, the newest member of the expanded Division II United Soccer League. "We will definitely be having rugby and lacrosse at the stadium. It's just a matter of when and what type of product we are going to bring" Mandell said. BY THE NUMBERS $3.7B The total economic activity gener- ated by the state's two tribal casinos — Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun — in 2016, according to a new report. $2.1B The amount of money in state govern- ment's rainy day fund, which increased recently due to a surge in tax collec- tions. The money will help lawmakers deal with a looming budget deficit. 31 The number of medical conditions that qualify Connecticut residents for the state's medical-marijuana program. 14 The number of new business execu- tives who recently joined the board of directors of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. TOP 5 MOST READ On HartfordBusiness.com • 1. Hartford Athletic owners exploring lacrosse, rugby pro teams • 2. Hartford Boat Show docks at Mohegan Sun • 3. Report: CT casinos generate $3.7B economic impact in '16 • 4. CT adds new condition for medical pot program • 5. CBIA taps 14 new board members STAY CONNECTED For breaking and daily Greater Hartford business news go to www.HartfordBusiness.com HBJ on Twitter: @HartfordBiz HBJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HartfordBiz HBJ on Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/company/ the-Hartford-Business-Journal Daily e-newsletters: HBJ Today, CT Morning Blend www.HartfordBusiness.com/ subscribe Weekly e-newsletters: CT Health Care Weekly www.HartfordBusiness.com/ subscribe HSG Partners Joseph Calafiore Jr. (left), Bruce Mandell (center) and Scott Schooley. PHOTO | HBJ FILE

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