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3 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 23, 2021 HBJ FLASH POLL BIZ BRIEFS Teresa C . Younger President and CEO Ms. Foundation for Women Keynote Speaker: Hartford Region IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN LUNCHEON HERstory is OURstory: The Future is Now! THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 12:00 – 1:00 P.M. * Will be virtual Purchase tickets: Text YWCA2021 to 243725 for link or visit http://bidpal.net/ywca2021 For additional information please contact: Karol Jimenez Email karolj@ywcahartford.org or call 860.525.1163 x122 Join Us PRESENTING SPONSOR PLATINUM SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS PRESENTING MEDIA SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSORS Aetna CVS Health | Barnes Group, Inc. | Day Pitney, LLP | Cli•on LarsonAllen, LLP Connecticut Convergence Institute | Hartford Hospital Howard K. Hill Funeral Services | Jackson Lewis, LLP | Trinity College | Voya Financial *As of 8/12/21 Bushnell President and CEO David Fay. PHOTO | HBJ FILE 48% 52% No Yes Each week Hartford Business Journal polls its 10,000-plus HBJ Today subscribers on a hot topic. Here's this week's results. Should restaurants require patrons to show proof of vaccination in order to eat indoors? TOTAL VOTES: 756 CT Lottery announces sports, online betting deals with Rush Street Interactive, Sportech The Connecticut Lottery Corp. announced it reached an agreement with Rush Street Interactive (RSI) for the Chicago-based online casino operator to serve as CLC's exclusive provider for online gambling, including operating the lottery's online sportsbook. Under the 10-year deal, which still has to be approved by regulators, RSI would guarantee a $170 million minimum revenue share from online and retail sports betting for the Connecticut Lottery. Additionally, CLC announced New Haven-based Sportech PLC will offer retail sports betting at 10 of its current locations. Powered by Fairfield County, CT sees slight population growth in 2020 census Newly released data from the U.S. Census shows Connecticut's population increased slightly over the last 10 years, with gains mostly driven by growth in the southwest section of the state, specifically Fairfield County. Connecticut added 31,847 residents between 2010 and 2020, bringing the state's total population from roughly 3.57 million to 3.6 million. Fairfield County added 40,590 people, making up for declines in five other counties where the total population fell. The only other counties to see growth through the 2010s were Hartford and New Haven counties. Stamford, which gained almost 13,000 new residents, surpassed New Haven to become Connecticut's second-largest city, behind Bridgeport. The Bushnell requiring vaccines, masks for patrons, staff With only a few narrow exceptions, anyone looking to enter The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Hartford will have to be both vaccinated and masked, the venue's management announced. The mandate applies to all patrons, staff, volunteers, performers, backstage crew and others accessing the building through at least Oct. 31. Patrons may only remove their masks for eating and drinking in designated areas of the center, according to the new policy. "The successful reopening of live performing arts venues around the country and around the world relies on a vaccinated public," said Bushnell President and CEO David Fay. Under the new rules, anyone looking to enter the Bushnell must show proof of vaccination, along with a valid ticket and government-issued identification. Newington approves medical cannabis dispensary for eventual recreational sales Newington's Planning and Zoning Commission provided an initial greenlight to medical cannabis dispensary Fine Fettle, as it pursues expanding its license and selling to Connecticut's forthcoming adult-use market. In a public hearing, the town unanimously approved a special permit allowing Fine Fettle — which also owns and operates medical dispensaries in Willimantic and Storrs — to operate in town as a "hybrid" cannabis retailer selling to the adult- use as well as the medical market. 42 CT companies make Inc. magazine's list of fastest-growing firms Forty-two Connecticut-based businesses made Inc. magazine's latest list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. Among Connecticut's share, the Greater Hartford area was well represented, with Bloomfield's Soma Tech International (No. 163), Hartford's Choice Merchant Solutions (No. 1,237), Southington-based Rebel Interactive Group (No. 1,842), Diameter Health of Farmington (No. 2,050), South Windsor's RCN Capital (No. 3,251), Middletown-based Charles IT (No. 3,947), and Realized Solutions of Southington (No. 4,349), among others, making appearances. Inc. ranks the companies based on percentage revenue growth from 2017 through 2020. With combined revenues of $1.7 billion, Connecticut companies on the list posted a median growth of 140% and added 1,647 jobs, according to the magazine. There were 17 repeat honorees.