Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/881000
44 | HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL • OCTOBER 2, 2017 2015 Liam E. McGee, the former CEO and chairman of The Hartford, who was credited with helping turnaround the company following its struggles after the Great Recession, dies from cancer. Aerospace and building systems conglomerate United Technologies Corp. announces plans to move its headquarters out of downtown Hartford's Gold Building and into its Farmington campus. Connecticut's $570-million Greater Hartford busway, CTfastrak, begins service in March. The New Britain Rock Cats decide to change their name to the Hartford Yard Goats. UConn breaks ground for construction of its $140-million downtown Hartford campus opening in fall 2017. Indianapolis health insurer Anthem signs an approximately $48.4-billion agreement to acquire Bloomfield's Cigna Corp. The deal eventually fails. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun cement a partnership to open a third jointly operated casino in Connecticut. Two Hartford businessmen and a group of Hartford Club members purchase the club's mortgage from Berkshire Bank to prevent a foreclosure and possible closure. Hartford Director of Development Services Thomas Deller resigns after the city council pulled its support for the $12-million redevelopment of Dillon Stadium into a professional soccer stadium, following revelations that the project's developer has a criminal history. The city of New Britain brings in the Atlantic League's Bees to replace the Rock Cats, which moved to Hartford. Hartford's Back9Network files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reaches an agreement with a group of existing shareholders who will invest capital to restructure the company. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. complets the sale of its 173-acre Simsbury campus. The governor's decision to set aside $5 million in the state budget for a transatlantic flight pays off when Aer Lingus committed in October to nonstop service to Dublin, Ireland. Luke Bronin wins the Hartford city mayoral race. 2016 The Capital Region Development Authority backs a $250 million improvement plan for the XL Center. It still needs legislative approval. Travelers CEO Jay Fishman dies from ALS. The city of Hartford fires Centerplan Cos. and DoNo Hartford LLC as building overseer of the beleaguered downtown Dunkin' Donuts Park, after "losing confidence'' in the developer's ability to finish the stadium on time. Stanley Black & Decker announce Chairman and CEO John F. Lundgren will retire and that President James M. Loree will be the next CEO. West Hartford's Colt Defense completes its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Hartford insurer The Phoenix Cos. Inc. and Nassau Reinsurance Group Holdings complete their $217.2-million merger. State regulators approve the $105-million sale of Eastern Connecticut Health Network to a California for-profit company, Prospect Holdings. GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump holds a rally at the Connecticut Convention Center, stirring both supporters and protesters. Bradley International Airport celebrates the reestablishment of nonstop trans-Atlantic service out of its Windsor Locks airfield with Aer Lingus' inaugural flight to Dublin, Ireland. Congratulations to the Hartford Business Journal on its 25th Anniversary from Cantor Colburn LLP.