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4 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JULY 13, 2026 in personal income growth, posting a 2.2% annualized increase compared with 3.4% nationally, ranking 43rd among the states. FuelCell lands first AI data center customer Danbury-based FuelCell Energy has signed its first agreement to supply on-site power systems for AI data centers, securing a deal with Flori- da-based Fit Energy USA LP. The agreement calls for an initial 30 megawatts of fuel cell systems later this year, with the potential to expand to 380 megawatts as future deploy- ment milestones are met. FuelCell said the systems will be manufactured at its Torrington facility, where production will increase to support a third shift. The deal supports the company's strategy to expand the plant's annual manufac- turing capacity from 100 megawatts to 500 megawatts. BIZ BRIE FS Sugarman, who has repositioned the $1.2 billion-asset bank to focus on high-net-worth individuals, entrepre- neurs, family offices and specialized lending. The Palm Beach office will serve affluent clients and businesses, expanding Patriot's presence beyond Connecticut and New York. The bank has also announced plans to open an office in Beverly Hills, California. Draft ruling backs Portland solar project A proposed $9.5 million solar facility in Portland is a step closer to approval after the Connecticut Siting Council issued a draft ruling supporting the project. The 4-megawatt installation would include 7,462 solar panels on about 19 acres of a 41.9-acre property owned by Walnut Hill Farms LLC. Developer Greenskies Clean Energy plans to begin construction in 2027, with power sold to Eversource Energy under a 20-year agreement. The project drew objections from neighboring Glastonbury because of its proximity to Nayaug Elementary School, but the council concluded it would provide a public benefit without causing significant environmental harm. Loyalty Insurance relocates HQ to Hartford Loyalty Insurance Marketing Group has moved its headquarters from West Hartford to a Hartford office building purchased by founder Xaymara Ramirez in 2023. Ramirez, through Loyalty Plaza LLC, paid $890,000 for the building at 645 Farmington Ave., where the company now occupies office space alongside other tenants. Founded in 2011, the insurance and financial services firm employs about 50 people, including administrative staff, independent brokers and advisers. The company also operates a branch office in Fishers, Indiana, its first expansion outside Connecticut. New Jersey firm acquires Manchester's Scan-Optics Edison, New Jersey-based Daida A CT-based community bank with 155+ years of experience, offering traditional financing and SBA lending to help your business grow. Solutions to Move Your Business Forward TM Call 203.729.4442 or scan the QR code to learn more. Commercial Lending • Cash Management • Fraud Prevention Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender has acquired Manchester document digitization company Scan-Optics, expanding its Northeast footprint and government services business. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1968, Scan-Optics provides document processing and digitization services to govern- ment agencies, colleges, financial institutions and insurers from its 32,000-square-foot production facility in Manchester. The acquisition is Daida's sixth since being acquired by private equity firm HiGro Group and its second completed this year. Daida said the deal expands its customer base to more than 600 state and local government clients nationwide. CT GDP growth trails U.S. in first quarter Connecticut's economy grew at a 1.8% annualized rate in the first quarter, trailing the national growth rate of 2.1%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The state's performance ranked 17th nationally. Growth was led by the information sector and durable goods manufacturing, while retail trade, educational services, wholesale trade, and finance and insurance weighed on the economy. Connecticut also lagged the nation Continued from page 3 Loyalty Insurance's new Hartford office at 645 Farmington Ave. Contributed Photo FuelCell Energy's 14-megawatt fuel cell park in Derby. Contributed Photo