Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/911215
Celebrate Connecticut! • CERC 3 Dear Friends: I'd like 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 of which you are all such an important part. 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. 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 sixth in the world for productivity – even higher than the U.S. itself. We are making progress. We continuously strive to support our businesses and make our state the most business friendly in the region. 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. I extend special congratulations to the 2017 Celebrate Connecticut! award recipients honored at the 8th annual event hosted by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center. Best wishes for continued success – and many thanks for the ongoing dedication and commitment to making our great state "Still Revolutionary." Sincerely, Dannel P. Malloy Governor We are pleased to present our second Celebrate Connecticut! magazine, produced by the Hartford Business Journal, to recognize the numerous economic development successes happening in our great state. Many positive initiatives are transforming the economy in Connecticut, and we need to spread the word across the state and beyond our borders. Based on contributions from 10 regions across Connecticut, the featured profiles showcase the vast number of activities that are helping to strengthen business, jobs and the overall economy in communities around the state. Each region also has designated awards for select projects, companies and people that have made impressive contributions to economic development in 2017 – from traditional manufacturing to trending breweries. New this year is the addition of interesting facts and figures collected by CERC researchers that also provide a snapshot of the unique assets of our great 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 and partners who work tirelessly to help make Connecticut a better place. On behalf of all of us at CERC, congratulations to the many individuals who collaborate to make Connecticut great — it's time to celebrate! Robert Santy President & CEO Albert Carbone representing The United Illuminating Company Michael Caron Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Bart Kollen, vice chair Department of Economic & Community Development Virginia Kozlowski representing Southern Connecticut Gas Catherine Lezon Eversource Dan Meaney, Jr. Connecticut Water Company Brad Mondschein Pullman & Comley Edward "Ted" Norris, treasurer Regional Water Authority Robert Santy Connecticut Economic Resource Center Tim Sullivan Department of Economic & Community Development Shelly Saczynski, at-large member William L. Vallée, secretary Office of Consumer Counsel Aquarion Water Company Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative Connecticut Natural Gas CERC is funded in part by local utility and telecommunication companies. Below is a list of our key funders and board members: