Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/992084
14 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2018 2018 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 14 Minister Ng Chee Meng speaks with representatives of East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney about the company's high-tech engines at an aviation open house. Rebecca Nolan, vice president of global business development for the MetroHartford Alliance A World View Emphasis on attracting global businesses benefits the state By Steve Lubetkin Rebecca Nolan, vice president of global business development for the MetroHartford Alliance, illustrates the renewed competitive spirit of the regional chamber of commerce with "a wonderful visual" she said her new boss just planted in her head. As Nolan describes it, David Griggs, newly appointed president and CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance, is sitting on a plane: "'He said, 'I'm sitting in the middle seat of the airplane. Boston's on one side, New York's on the other. I'm taking the armrests. I'm not going to let them have those armrests.' " Attracting and retaining corporate investment in the Greater Hartford area has taken on an international flavor, and while the outreach is aimed at bringing global businesses to the Greater Hartford area, these efforts ultimately benefit the state at large, said Nolan. The global push started for the MetroHartford Alliance several years back, when the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford sought help attracting Israeli companies to the Hartford area, Nolan recalls. Eventually, the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) hired an on-the-ground consultant in Israel to help vet companies and facilitate introductions to business leaders. "Connecticut is small, and we do have access to the decision makers," she said, "so we can get many of these companies the opportunity to be in front of those top leaders." Other important targets for the MetroHartford Alliance are Germany, Italy, Romania and Hungary, Nolan said. Brazil is an important target for outreach, since Brazil's Ministry of Science and Technology opened an office in New Haven's Hub55 co-working space, on the ninth floor of the former New Haven Savings Bank building. Three Brazilian tech companies are also using the space. "They've offered the opportunity for Brazilian companies to come to Connecticut and have workspace for three months at a very cost- effective rent," Nolan explained. "What we've done is work with our state partners who are helping guide them through this system to find Hartford, so even though they're located in New Haven in their day to day work, I'm bringing them up here and making sure that if they need a connection to a certain industry in the Greater Hartford region, I'm a conduit to that." The international outreach has built strong collaboration with the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, which recently hosted a joint reception with the MetroHartford Alliance for consuls general from 18 countries. The World Affairs Council of Connecticut, founded in 1924, is a non- profit, non-partisan organization that promotes greater awareness and dialogue on important global issues. With an emphasis on community engagement and collaboration, it hosts programs on critical international issues that impact both the local community and the world. The outreach seems to be reaping benefits, as companies looking to expand out of New York City are paying attention. "They're calling us, as opposed to jumping over us and going to Boston," Nolan said. GLOBAL BUSINESS ECONOMIC DRIVERS [Gnohz/Shutterstock.com]