Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1540922
4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 3, 2025 BIZ BRIE FS Commercial lending—local roots and limitless possibilities. We combine the lending power of a regional bank with the personal attention of a trusted community partner. Are you expanding? Acquiring? Building? Whatever your size and goals, our commercial lending team is here with expertise, enthusiastic attention to detail—and the flexibility to grow along with you. Let's talk today. 860.265.3921 | westfieldbank.com High commercial lending Mass.-based Koopman Lumber to acquire CT building supply company Massachusetts lumber supplier Koopman Lumber has entered into an agreement to acquire Lyon & Billard, a building materials company with locations across Connecticut. Lyon & Billard will rebrand as "Lyon & Billard, Part of the Koopman Lumber Family," once the deal is finalized. Lyon & Billard, which was founded in 1847, has locations in Berlin, Cheshire, Meriden and East Hampton. The company serves customers in Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Koopman plans to provide training for Lyon & Billard employees and reno- vate several of its new locations. Upon completion of the deal, Koopman will operate 17 loca- tions across Massachusetts and Connecticut. Simsbury approves 120-room Holiday Inn Express as anchor for planned mixed-use development Plans for a 120-room Holiday Inn Express on Hopmeadow Street have received final approval from the Sims- bury Zoning Commission, marking the first phase of a larger mixed-use development near the International Skating Center of Connecticut. The three-story, 86,000-square-foot hotel will sit on about 7 acres of a 56-acre parcel between the Big Y supermarket and Dorset Crossing. Developer Adam Westhaver, a principal of the skating center, is under contract to buy the property and will oversee construction and management. Additional restaurant, retail and commercial phases are expected later as part of a master plan for the site along Route 10, which town leaders have identified as a key economic development corridor. CVS Health laying off 72 remote workers after Aetna lost contract CVS Health plans to eliminate 72 positions tied to its Aetna Inc. subsidiary in Hartford, according to a notice filed with the state Department of Labor. The affected employees — mostly remote workers in Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan — are being laid off after CVS lost a contract for Aetna's Medicare Medicaid Program in Ohio. The permanent cuts are expected to occur between Dec. 31 and March 31. This marks the second round of Aetna-related job cuts this year. In April, CVS announced 55 layoffs connected to the closure of its Care- free insurance line. CT Sports Group to bring professional women's soccer team to the state, pending stadium deal A professional women's soccer team could soon call Bridgeport home. Connecticut Sports Group, which is leading efforts to build a new waterfront stadium in the city, said it has reached an agreement to host a franchise in WPSL Pro — a new second-division women's league launching in 2027. Connecticut's team, the league's 18th franchise, is expected to begin play in 2028, contingent on the stadium's approval and eventual completion. The project follows CTSG's plans to bring a men's MLS Next Pro team to Bridgeport. CEO André Swanston said CTSG is seeking state support for the An early rendering of the proposed soccer stadium in Bridgeport. stadium project, which he expects could generate $3.4 billion in economic impact. Farmington investment adviser growing through acquisition Farmington-based Connecticut Wealth Management (CTWM) has acquired Conry Asset Management, a family-run investment advisory firm based in Berlin. Brendan Conry Jr. and Brendan Conry Sr., who founded the firm in 1992, will both join CTWM as part of the deal. Terms were not disclosed. CTWM President and CEO Kevin Leahy said the acquisition strengthens the firm's ability to provide compre- hensive financial planning and investment services.