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2 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 6, 2025 Biz Briefs CH-53K helicopters on final assembly at Sikorsky Aircraft headquarters in Stratford. Contributed Photo Sikorsky lands $10.9B multiyear helicopter contract S tratford-based Sikorsky has received a $10.9 billion multiyear contract for as many as 99 CH-53K heavy-lift helicopters for the U.S. military. The deal will guarantee work on the helicopter in Stratford until 2033. The contract will also involve 42 supply chain companies in the state. Rich Benton, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin-owned Sikorsky, told the Hartford Business Journal the announcement is "monumental." Benton says the company, which has around 7,000 employees in Connecticut, doesn't anticipate a big hiring push, but the contract stabilizes its workforce. The CH-53K is the only heavy-lift helicopter that will remain in production through 2032. It's designed to transport armored vehicles, equipment and personnel to support military operations. Hartford Hospital is Hartford HealthCare's flagship hospital. HBJ File Photo State invests $50.5M in New Haven 'Innovation District' The state will invest $50.5 million in downtown New Haven to bolster Connecticut's life sciences industry and expand its role in emerging quantum technologies, Gov. Ned Lamont announced. The funding is the first under the $100 million Connecticut Innovation Clusters Program, run by the Depart- ment of Economic and Community Development, and will support public infrastructure, research facili- ties and projects aimed at business growth and job creation. Major allocations include $10 million for QuantumCT, a Yale- UConn initiative developing quantum research and workforce training; $1.3 million for a startup space at 101 College St.; and $17.5 million for climate-resilient streetscapes to advance development within Down- town Crossing. Additional funding will back life sciences facilities at the former Coliseum site, pedestrian bridges and BioCT programming. Hartford HealthCare makes $86M bid for Manchester, Rockville hospitals Hartford HealthCare has emerged as the stalking-horse bidder for Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals, which have been mired in uncertainty amid their parent company Prospect Medical Holdings' bankruptcy case. The state's second-largest health system has offered $86.1 million for the Manchester and Rockville hospitals, according to a bankruptcy court filing that sets an Oct. 22 auction date. Hartford HealthCare said it has "the capability to stabilize and expand the workforce at these hospitals, provide support to enhance quality and safety, and advance strategic investments in people, programs, technologies, facilities, and community partners." Hartford HealthCare already operates seven acute-care hospitals in Connecticut. Meanwhile, state officials are weighing a separate deal that could overlap with Prospect's bankruptcy. State-owned UConn Health is considering a possible $400 million purchase of Bristol, Day Kimball and Waterbury hospitals. Waterbury is among the three Connecticut hospi- tals Prospect is seeking to sell. Amid industry challenges, 3 CT daily newspapers reduce print schedules Three Connecticut daily news- papers under the same ownership announced coordinated reductions to their print schedules, eliminating Monday editions as they transition from six-day to five-day weekly print schedules. The New Britain Herald, Bristol Press and The Chronicle of Willimantic will continue printing Tuesday through Saturday, with expanded Saturday editions incor- porating content typically featured in Monday's paper, including comics, puzzles and features. The three newspapers are owned by Rhode Island Suburban News- papers (RISN Operations Inc.), which acquired The Herald, Bristol Press and The Chronicle from Central Connecticut Communica- tions in April 2022. The move reflects the newspaper owner's strategy of standardizing its operations across Connecticut, as it adapts to economic pressures and changing reader habits. Encompass Health opens first rehab hospital in CT, eyes another location Encompass Health, the nation's largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, has opened its first facility in Tel: (860) 236-9998 | Fax: (860) 570-2493 Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Hartford Business Journal P.O Box 330 Congers, NY 10920-9894 Subscriptions Annual subscriptions are $150.00. To subscribe, visit HartfordBusiness.com, email circulation@ hartfordbusiness.com, or call (845) 267-3008. Advertising For advertising information, please call (860) 236-9998. 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