Hartford Business Journal

4 Hartford Business Journal • April 16, 2018 • www.HartfordBusiness.com Week in Review Briefs Glastonbury's Smith Brothers Insurance acquires Groton firm Glastonbury-based insurance broker Smith Brothers has purchased a Groton insurance firm to expand its coverage in the southeastern portion of Connecticut. The Glastonbury company said it purchased Groton's Bailey Agencies Insurance, which has added three employees to Smith Brothers' office in Niantic. Smith Brothers, which has made several acquisitions in recent years, said it employs more than 180 people, 120 of which are located in Glastonbury. The firm has offices throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Produce distributors propose development in Hartford's South Meadows Two produce distributors have submitted proposals to develop a new distribution facility on 20 acres of desolate land in Hartford's South Meadows, according to the Capital Region Development Authority. Hartford-based Sardilli Produce & Dairy Co., headquartered at 212 Locust St., and Freshpoint, a division of Houston-based food distributor Sysco Corp., with a distribution center at 105 Reserve Road, have proposed to lease the land on South Meadows and build a distribution center spanning more than 100,000 square feet, CRDA said. The proposals call for creating between 80 to 125 jobs, said CRDA Executive Director Michael W. Freimuth. CRDA is managing the development proposals on the land owned by the operator of the nearby power plant, the quasi-public Materials Innovation and Recycling Authority (MIRA). Freimuth said MIRA must sign off on leasing the land, adding that he plans to recommend a proposal to the agency later this month. Hartford IT vendor expands downtown A Hartford information-technology services vendor says it has grown its downtown office footprint by about two- thirds, in the Hartford Trust Building. Commprise, which operates under the brand name Tech to Us, says it recently leased an additional 1,300 square feet at 750 Main St., its existing home, and now occupies about 3,300 square feet in the building, CEO Guy Citarella said. The company, which services mainly small businesses across multiple industries, now has 15 employees in the space, with plans to add several support technicians and a business development manager this year, Citarella said. Jim Smith ends gubernatorial bid Jim Smith, the retired Webster Bank CEO and co-chairman of the state Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth, announced he will not run for governor, citing enrollment complications with the Republican Party. Smith, who recently proposed sweeping changes to Connecticut's tax and economic policies while serving on the commission, briefly considered a gubernatorial run but said via email he was late enrolling in the Republican Party to be a candidate in the August primary. Smith, who was formerly registered to vote as an independent, said he changed his party affiliation in March. Poll: CT residents favor GOP candidate in governor's race A recent online poll says Connecticut residents are more likely to support a Republican than Democratic candidate to replace outgoing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. In the survey released by the public affairs firm Tremont Public Advisors, almost 58 percent of Connecticut residents said they would elect a Republican over a Democrat (39 percent) in November's governor's race. The survey drew from more than 1,000 residents across the state over the age of 18, which represents a 5 percent decrease in Democratic support since its February poll. TOP STORY Hartford city council approves Dillon Stadium redevelopment T he Hartford city council approved a major redevelopment plan that authorizes the Capital Region Development Authority to manage Dillon Stadium for at least five years in an effort to bring pro soccer to Hartford. The license agreement allows CRDA to manage Dillon Stadium while the Hartford Sports Group (HSG) lures a United Soccer League team to Hartford. USL is sanctioned as a Division II pro league after dominant Major League Soccer. The state Bond Commission in February approved $10 million for renovating the stadium and for improvements to adjacent Colt Park. The money can be used for replacing the bleachers, renovations to locker rooms, restrooms and the press box, and installation of artificial turf. As the stadium's primary tenant, HSG has committed to invest between $7.5 million to $10 million to acquire a USL team and bring it to Hartford by 2019. The plans include 40 priority scheduling dates in 2019 with an option of 20 additional dates in years after. Under the agreement, HSG would keep the revenue from concessions, naming rights, merchandise, sponsorships and parking and admission at events. BY THE NUMBERS $329,000 The average salary of a physician in Connecticut, which is third highest in the country, according to the latest an- nual pay survey by Medscape. 5,700 The number of jobs in Connecticut's firearms industry in 2017, according to a gun-lobby report. $3.63M The amount Tractor Supply Co.'s Farmington store on Scott Swamp Road recently sold for. 268,000 The square footage of Serta Simmons Bedding LLC's new Windsor Locks factory. TOP 5 MOST READ On HartfordBusiness.com • 1. Former Webster Bank CEO Jim Smith eyes GOP gubernatorial run • 2. Report: PE firm offers CT $2B to sell its public assets • 3. Poll: CT residents favor GOP candidate in governor's race • 4. Produce distributors propose development in Hartford's South Meadows • 5. Farmington Tractor Supply store sold at $3.63M STAY CONNECTED For breaking and daily Greater Hartford business news go to www.HartfordBusiness.com HBJ on Twitter: @HartfordBiz HBJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HartfordBiz HBJ on Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/company/ the-Hartford-Business-Journal Daily e-newsletters: HBJ Today, CT Morning Blend www.HartfordBusiness.com/ subscribe Weekly e-newsletters: CT Health Care Weekly www.HartfordBusiness.com/ subscribe HSG Partners Bruce Mandell (center), Joseph Calafiore Jr. (left), and Scott Schooley (right) are trying to bring professional soccer to Hartford. Jim Smith, Co- Chair, Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth PHOTO | HBJ FILE

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