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2 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JUNE 15, 2026 Biz Briefs 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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Tom Curtin | CEO, ext. 124, tcurtin@hartfordbusiness.com Editorial Greg Bordonaro | Editor, ext. 139 gbordonaro@hartfordbusiness.com Drew Larson | Web Editor, ext. 121 alarson@hartfordbusiness.com Beat: Energy Michael Puffer | Staff Writer, ext. 145 mpuffer@hartfordbusiness.com Beats: Real Estate, Economic Development, Banking & Finance David Krechevsky | Staff Writer, ext. 702 davidk@hartfordbusiness.com Beats: Health Care, Bioscience, State Government Harriet Jones | Staff Writer, ext. 145 hjones@hartfordbusiness.com Beats: Manufacturing, Cannabis, Professional Services Michael Juliano | Staff Writer mjuliano@hartfordbusiness.com Beat: Fairfield County Stephanie R. Meagher | Research Director Heide Martin | Research Assistant Steve Laschever | Photographer Business Tom Curtin | Publisher, ext. 124, tcurtin@hartfordbusiness.com Jessica M. Quinn | Associate Publisher, ext. 137 jquinn@hartfordbusiness.com Emily Paskind | Senior Accounts Manager, ext. 133, epaskind@hartfordbusiness.com Sadie Bride | Senior Accounts Manager, ext. 141, sbride@hartfordbusiness.com Destiny Cyr | Operations & Administrative Specialist, ext. 138 dcyr@hartfordbusiness.com Tracy Rodwill | Human Resources Manager trodwill@nebusinessmedia.com Production Bartosz Zinowko | Production Director, ext. 147 bzinowko@hartfordbusiness.com Events Kathryn Pelletier | Events Manager, ext. 136 kpelletier@hartfordbusiness.com CBIA to phase out small- business health insurance program The Connecticut Business & Industry Association will discontinue the medical portion of its Health Connections program, ending a self-funded health coverage option launched in 2024 for small employers. CBIA has stopped accepting new groups and renewals and will wind down the program as existing poli- cies expire, with the final coverage expected to end in spring 2027. More than 20 businesses, including CBIA, are enrolled. CEO Chris DiPentima said the program faced rising costs, adverse selection and challenges associated with Connecticut's small-group insurance market. CBIA said the inability of small businesses to pool employees into larger insur- ance groups contributed to the program's struggles. Nutmeg State Financial seeks federal charter to support expansion Rocky Hill-based Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union is seeking to convert back to a federal charter as it pursues growth beyond Connecticut. The credit union, with 66,654 members and $885.2 million in assets, has applied to the Connecticut Department of Banking for approval to switch from a state charter, which it adopted in 2015 to expand within Connecticut. CEO John Holt said a federal charter now offers greater flexibility for the institution's long-term growth plans, particularly outside state lines. Holt said Nutmeg plans to expand largely through digital banking while maintaining its focus on underbanked communities. Private equity makes a splash in CT pool market JPS Pool Service, a Pomfret-based pool maintenance and renovation business, has been acquired by Massachusetts-based Easton Select Group, a pool-services company backed by private equity firm Brenton Point Capital Partners. Founded in 2009 by Joshua Mattey, JPS serves residential and commercial customers and is an authorized warranty provider for major pool equipment manufac- turers. The company will continue operating under its existing brand, with Mattey remaining in charge of day-to-day operations. Easton was formed in 2024 to acquire independent pool-service and backyard leisure businesses. The company has completed roughly 15 acquisitions across New England, including Wallingford-based Blue Wave. Wallingford HVAC contractor acquired by PE-backed competitor Wallingford-based Air Comfort Systems has been acquired by Action Air Systems, a commercial HVAC company backed by private equity firm Trinity Hunt Partners. Founded in 1995, Air Comfort provides commercial HVAC main- tenance, repair and replacement services. As part of the deal, Air Comfort founder and owner John Hauser will remain involved during a transition period to assist with integration efforts. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Connecticut Water CEO defends 21% rate hike request Connecticut Water President Craig Patla is defending the utility's proposed 21.4% rate increase, arguing A rendering of Unilever's planned global innovation center in New Haven. Contributed Image Unilever plans $270M innovation center in New Haven C onsumer goods giant Unilever plans to build a $270 million global innovation center in downtown New Haven, creating a new research and development hub for its beauty, personal care and well-being businesses. The facility, planned for the state- owned 1.55-acre site at 2 Church St., is expected to break ground by the end of 2026 and open in spring 2029. About 300 employees will work at the center, which will replace Unilever's longtime R&D facility in Trumbull. The company said the center will support product development, packaging design, fragrance creation and consumer research, while incorporating artificial intelligence and quantum computing capabili- ties. Unilever's brands include Dove, Nexxus and Olly. A JPS Pool Service vehicle. Contributed Photo