Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/755964
Celebrate Connecticut! • CERC 3 Dear friends: I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the ongoing efforts to help stimulate job growth, encourage business development, and improve the quality of life in Connecticut that are being recognized in this special publication and at the Connecticut Economic Resource Center's seventh annual Celebrate Connecticut! event. We have many exciting initiatives going on across the state to help grow our communities and regions, and many successes that are making a positive impact on our economy and business environment. Together, let's celebrate the key projects, people and partnerships that are the foundation of making our state a great place to live and work. Our administration is working to make Connecticut the most economically competitive state in the region. Connecticut has one of the best educated and most productive workforces in the nation. We lead in patents, business R&D and venture capital deals. If Connecticut were a country — we would rank fifth in the world for productivity — even higher than the U.S. itself. We are making progress. We must — and we will — continue to do more to support our businesses and make our state the most business friendly in the region. A special congratulations goes to the 2016 Celebrate Connecticut! award recipients — I applaud you for the role you play in making Connecticut "Still Revolutionary." Best wishes for your continued success — and many thanks for your ongoing dedication and commitment to our great state. Sincerely, Dannel P. Malloy Governor W e are so pleased to produce our first Celebrate Connecticut! publication with the Hartford Business Journal to recognize the numerous economic development accomplishments happening across our great state. We hope readers will gain a new perspective on the positive initiatives that are transforming the economy in Connecticut. 2016 marks the seventh year that CERC has worked with our regional partners to identify projects, people and companies that have made unique contributions to economic development over the last year, or continued contributions over a longer period of time that distinguish them as leaders in the region. The range of award recipients is always impressive, and this year is no exception. A number of regions recognized projects that make their communities attractive destinations for visitors — from restaurants and ice cream parlors to train and ferry attractions. The list also includes companies large and small — as well as municipal developments and developers who have devoted themselves to improving their local communities. This unique publication also gives you a snapshot of the vast number of activities that are helping to strengthen business, jobs and the overall economy in communities around the state. Economic transformation doesn't happen overnight, nor because of the efforts of one person or organization; rather it's due to a collective effort of many economic development professionals, volunteers and partners who work tirelessly to help make Connecticut a better place. On behalf of all of us at CERC, congratulations to "Team Connecticut"— we celebrate you and the results of the "collaboration at work"! Robert Santy President & CEO