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What a Difference a Year Makes
3/9/2012
Just over one year ago I wrote a blog describing a speech that Governor Malloy had just made at the annual CBIA Economic Review in which he apologized for not being able to announce any of his appointments for the various agencies involved in economic development. The reason given was in my opinion a very good one. He stated that since job creation and economic growth were such important goals for his administration, that he and his staff were undertaking a very thorough search for these key positions.
What a difference a year makes! Commissioner Catherine Smith and Deputy Commissioner Kip Bergstrom were appointed to the state Department of Economic and Community Development. More recently, Claire Leonardi, a veteran investment and venture capital executive with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, was named chief executive officer and executive director of Connecticut Innovations. Additionally, Mary Holz-Clause was named the University of Connecticut’s first vice president for economic development in September.
Since that speech in early 2011, a special legislative session was held where Governor Malloy and his administration were successful in passing the $626 million Connecticut Jobs Bill which produced many pro-business measures designed to spur job creation, innovation, and business growth. This was followed by a statewide outreach program titled Reinventing Connecticut that was designed to let businesses know firsthand how these measures can positively impact them.
CERC continues to work with state agencies to promote the programs, provide assistance to entrepreneurs as well as in-state companies and promote Connecticut as a preferred location for businesses considering relocation or expansion.
With these key appointments, pro business legislation, and the deals that have already been signed, the last year has been very productive. We at CERC look forward to working with our state and utility and telecommunication funding partners to build on this success and have an even more productive year in 2012.
After all, a year can make quite a difference.
- Steve MacKenzie, CERC, Senior Vice President
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