Hartford Business Journal

4 Hartford Business Journal • March 18, 2019 • www.HartfordBusiness.com Week in Review Briefs Boston lobbying, PR firm opens Hartford office A Boston-based government and public relations firm said it's hired a former state housing official to lead its new Hartford lobbying office. O'Neill and Associates, which handles crisis communications and government and federal public relations, announced the appointment of Daniel Arsenault as senior director of the Hartford practice. Arsenault, who until February was legislative program manager and public information officer for the Connecticut Department of Housing, also previously worked as assistant to the chief of staff in former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's office. O'Neill and Associates also has an office near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. CT Convention Center scores first MMA bout Connecticut's first state-sanctioned pro mixed martial arts (MMA) event is coming to downtown Hartford later this month. Providence-based promoter Classic Entertainment & Sports Inc. (CES) MMA is hosting a slate of bouts showcasing hometown fighters on Friday, March 29, at the Connecticut Convention Center. Connecticut began allowing MMA fights in 2013, however, it has largely been too costly for promoters to host events in the state outside of the tribally owned casinos, which operate under their own government rules and have regularly held MMA events since 2002. In 2017, state lawmakers adopted a new law that made Connecticut venues a friendlier place for MMA promoters. Specifically, it brought fighter health insurance requirements more in line with the rest of the country. Dillon Stadium comeback delayed The revival of Hartford's historic Dillon Stadium has been delayed by at least a month. The Hartford Athletic pro soccer club announced it will play its first-ever home game on Saturday, May 4, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, instead of Dillon Stadium, which is currently undergoing a $10 million overhaul. In September, crews found several infrastructure issues at the 84-year-old stadium, which delayed construction. The Athletic, the newest member of the expanded division II United Soccer League (USL), said it will now begin play at Dillon in mid-June, which means its first few home games will be played at Rentschler Field. The team will play 34 regular season matches between March and October. Philadelphia law firm sprouts in Hartford Three Hartford lawyers from litigator Carlton Fields have jumped ship to join a Philadelphia-based law firm that's opening an office in downtown Hartford. Drinker Biddle & Reath is hanging its shingle in 11,400 square feet at One Constitution Plaza. Its move into Hartford coincides with a shakeup at Florida law firm Carlton Fields, which also has a downtown Hartford presence at 1 State St. Two of Carlton Fields' named partners, James Jorden and Frank Burt, left the firm earlier this month to join Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, bringing along 15 other litigators. Drinker Biddle has placed 14 new litigators in its Washington, D.C. office and three in Hartford. Stephen J. Jorden, also a Carlton Fields transplant, is a regional partner leading Drinker Biddle's Hartford office. Hartford HealthCare debuts $10.4M cancer center Hartford HealthCare says it recently opened a $10.4 million, 37,581-square- foot cancer treatment center in Manchester. The state's second largest health system said the three-story Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, located at 376 Tolland Turnpike, will provide multi- specialty care targeted at residents east of Hartford, which is home to its flagship facility, Hartford Hospital. TOP STORY CT tourism panel proposes sweeping reforms; wants to rebrand state A state-led panel of business leaders dedicated to jump-starting Connecticut's $14.7 billion tourism sector says the state must rebrand and divert more tax revenues to help grow the industry. Those were just some recommendations the Blue Ribbon Panel on Tourism delivered in a report on how to fuel the sector, which supports almost 83,000 jobs and produces $1.7 billion in annual tax revenue. According to the 11-page report, the 15-member panel wants to increase the percentage of lodging tax revenue used to support tourism. Currently, 10 percent of annual lodging revenues fund tourism efforts, but the group wants to increase that to 25 percent, which would shift $12 million to the state's arts, culture and tourism fund. The panel also wants to broaden the 15 percent levy to all paid stays and apply the state's 10 percent admissions tax to secondary businesses. Connecticut's branding also needs to be upgraded, according to the panel, which says the state should review its current marketing strategy, branding and slogan to ultimately replace the state's "Still Revolutionary" monicker. Final decisions would be made by marketing and tourism experts. BY THE NUMBERS 28.3% The percentage New England's wholesale electricity prices increased in 2018, according to regional grid operator ISO New England. $5.7M The total performance bonuses that retail giant Walmart said it paid its Connecticut employees in 2018. 83,000 The number of jobs supported by the state's $14.7 billion tourism industry, according to the Blue Ribbon Panel on Tourism. 54.5% The percentage of Connecticut residents recently surveyed by Sacred Heart University's Institute for Public Policy who said they would change their driving routes to avoid tolls if they were installed on major highways in the state. TOP 5 MOST READ On HartfordBusiness.com • 1. Dillon Stadium comeback delayed • 2. CT tourism panel proposes sweeping reforms; wants to rebrand state • 3. Poll: CT residents largely oppose highway tolls, grocery tax • 4. In state of the city address, Bronin touts a balanced budget, new investments • 5. Boston lobbying, PR firm names CT housing official to lead new Hartford operation 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 Hartford's riverfront is a tourism draw during several summer-month events. PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED

• Cover