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Fairfield County Business Journal
Fairfield County Business Journal
Reports: Sikorsky back in play
Department of Defense may reconsider Sikorsky for two mammoth contracts.
A hiccup in the foretold medical pro shortage
As the recession has dug in, doctors and nurses have deferred retirement.
Leaders need to lead, not take sides
Connecticut continues to be battered by the worst economic downturn in generations.
Site makes for attuned diabetics
Study finds time spent on dLife.com is directly related to proper drug use.
Paid sick leave is revisited
Businesses again are protesting mandated paid sick leave in Connecticut.
Hospitals brace for cuts
Connecticut hospitals are urging lawmakers to avoid cuts in health care spending.
Former United Rentals CFO gets jail term
Westport resident John Milne received a 27-month prison sentence.
Rell creates education gap panel
The governor created a commission to close an achievement gap in schools.
IBM, GE crack Fortune list
IBM and GE are among the world's most admired.
Greenwich rebounds
Among the toniest towns in the world, Greenwich was hit by the recession, just like everyone else.
Millionaires’ tax on fumes
A millionaires’ tax that had business owners fuming has been a bust for Connecticut.
P&G cuts loose Clairol site
Procter & Gamble Co. has sold its Clairol plant in Stamford to local developers.
Reports: Sikorsky back in play for search and rescue
The Air Force is reconsidering Sikorsky for a search-and-rescue helicopter.
Battle lines drawn
Business owners upbraid lawmakers in Hartford.
Finance in brief
HC Innovations files for bankruptcy restructuring
Commercial real estate
Lehman reportedly won sole ownership of a Stamford office building.
Banking moves
The Bank of New Canaan plans to open its first branch in Stamford.
Rumors linger
Starwood rumors likely to persist until lease is inked.
Rum-ble in the Caribbean
Subsidies and tax incentives are fueling a rum war between Norwalk’s Diageo North America and Bacardi.
A stagecoach in every office?
Wells Fargo & Co. plans to convert its regional Wachovia branches to the Wells Fargo brand by March 2011.
Earnings in brief
After massive job cuts, Emcor is seeing an impact from the federal stimulus.
Banks defend lending practices
Loans in Connecticut were down just 2.5 percent in 2009; Rell sees gap between data and reality.
People's United acquires Financial Federal
A reported $738 million deal brings a ‘high-yielding’ portfolio with it.
IMS taken private
TPG and CPP completed their acquisition of IMS Health.
Stamford Y makes its re-arrival
The YMCA that opened in Stamford in 1973 is going through a rebirth and preparing to reopen.
Renewable energy link proposed
A company has plans for a $3.8 billion power cable from Canada to Bridgeport.
Amid rate squabble, NU posts profit gains
Northeast Utilities’s CEO termed it a “disappointing” year for NU’s distribution arm.
Perfecting the conduit economy
Laure Aubuchon has already touched base with financial companies considering Stamford.
Bond raters will weigh in on Stamford Hospital
Stamford Hospital’s biggest test may be in the markets.
Boom time for two-year degrees
Community colleges are struggling with record enrollment.
Reading, writing and photovoltaic cells
Alteris Renewables in Wilton is powering lights above young scholars’ heads with the sun.
Tuition hikes in economic headwinds
Some Connecticut universities are hiking tuition at least 4 percent.
Priceline marks stellar year
Priceline reports an incredible $490 million profit in 2009.
Corporate training 3.0
Training Intelligence in Monroe, Shelton and Stratford are the guys that are helping your company and its IT pros do more with less.
The body-slam channel
WWE could be in position to launch a cable network in 18 months.
Cleaning up as big business
Surviving cleaning businesses deliver on prices and quality.
Finance in brief
Starwood Property is acquiring a $500 million loan portfolio.
Mass layoffs abating
Mass layoffs appear to be abating in Connecticut.
Novo Labs site hits market
The former Novo Labs site is for sale.
AmeriCares gives $50M in quake aid
AmeriCares in Stamford has more than tripled its original pledged aid to Haiti.
Law in brief
Marsh, Aon and Willis Group had commission restrictions on them lifted.
Southern Air expands fleet
Norwalk based Southern Air Holdings has added twin-engine freight planes to its fleet.
Earnings in brief
Terex has begun digging itself out from rock bottom.
Shaw’s checks out of Connecticut
SuperValu is selling off its Shaw’s Supermarkets in Connecticut.
The Great One … to a tea
Bigelow Tea brings on Wayne Gretzky as its newest sipping sports star.
Sikorsky S-61 to support State Dept.
Sikorsky is selling as many as 110 helicopters to the State Department.
Xerox adds Texas outsourcing company
Xerox Corporation acquires specialized global outsourcer, Affiliated Computer Services.
Stamford Hospital ER gets go-ahead
Regulators approved Stamford Hospital’s plan for a $223 million emergency room building.
Sikorsky Aircraft joins the social media scene
A little birdy called Twitter flies with the big birds.
Working the Web
Increase business by making your website an inbound marketing hub.
‘All’s well in Cartusville’
With its acquisition of Primacy, Cartus re-entered a business it had only recently exited.
Commercial real estate in brief
The Travelers Championship has opened an office at 707 Summer Street in Stamford.
Feds say blast was result of venting plus spark
Investigators: Middletown explosion occurred after gas vented into a “congested” area.
Renewable energy link proposed
A company has proposed to run a $3.8 billion power cable from Canada to Bridgeport.
Brant co. in bankruptcy restructuring
White Birch Paper Co. and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy protection.
Bonding approved for 95/7
Connecticut approved $6 million in bonds for Reed Putnam in Norwalk.
Stop & Shop workers defer strike
Stop & Shop workers gave their union leaders another week to complete a contract.
Inside baseball
Spring training is under way at the Clubhouse in Fairfield.
Businesses head to Hartford
Connecticut lobby legislators this week.
Sunnier days in sales?
Gartner is among the companies looking for salespeople in the recovery.
Banking in brief
TD Bank topped a survey for excellence in small business banking.
Advisory board forms
A consulting resource has emerged with the birth of the Wilton Advisory Board.
Expanded expedited bank law?
Investors may get approval to acquire multiple banks on an expedited basis.
Union ranks drop again
Connecticut unions lost 10,000 members in 2009.
New venture launches
Connecticut Innovations has put its money on a pioneering company, Sustainable Real Estate Solutions.
Newark lures Pitney Bowes
Pitney Bowes is opening a mail facility in Newark, N.J.
Commercial real estate on the rebound?
Commercial property owners appear to be holding up better than expected.
Sikorsky hovers near big British deal
Sikorsky neared a deal to sell 24 helicopters to the British government.
L-1 details possible sale
L-1 has inquiries from buyers, and could complete a sale in three months.
Earnings in brief
Gartner and other local companies outlined plans for growth in 2010.
Giving credit where due
As letters of credit come harder to secure, agencies pledge increased support.
Cleanup among the forklifts
American Wholesalers Underwriting adds environmental concerns to insurance program.
An initiative to link insurance players
Marketcore in Westport is the third member of a newly formed insurance exchange.
Why are Connecticut lawmakers trying to increase health care costs?
Health care costs are too high, so why do the majority of Connecticut legislators vote every year to raise costs even further?
Toyota’s failure to communicate fuels firestorm
The firestorm surrounding Toyota’s quality problems can be attributed in large part to communication failures.
Music for the four-legged set
The death of a beloved cat led to a musical idea that has just hit the shelves as an electronic device.
Rell touts small-business measures
Gov. Rell called for Connecticut banks to contribute to a small-business lending pool.
Haiti fundraisers eye long term
Local Haiti fundraisers renewed the call for aid.
Control labor costs and get people back to work
Many in the business community fear that lawmakers will promote legislation that will cost, not create, more jobs.
Greenwich company buys water filter outfit
Catterton Partners in Greenwich has decided to buy a universal solvent sieve company.
Diageo, Unilever eye tax bases
Diageo and Unilever reportedly hinted they might leave the United Kingdom over taxes.
Real estate in brief
Philo Smith & Co. is relocating within Stamford.
Earnings in brief
Pitney Bowes made profit gains amid new layoffs.
Law in brief
David Fein was nominated as U.S. attorney for the state of Connecticut.
CL&P still trails on survey
CL&P lags most electric utilities for business customer satisfaction.
Jobs in brief
Oettinger Davidoff is relocating its U.S. headquarters to Florida.
Finance in brief
GE Capital wants $2.5B debt trust
In Greenwich, luxury retail tiptoes back
Bain predicts luxury retail sales will rise slightly this year.
Middletown investigation continuing
UPDATED: Rell named two panels to investigate the deadly explosion in Middletown.
Dodd deadlocked with GOP
Dodd said he has reached an impasse with Republicans on finance reform.
On remote control
Sikorsky and a rival are zeroing in on a contract with Turkey.
A cell phone for ‘things’
A Stamford tech startup is raising $6 million in venture capital.
Thinking positive
As we write this, the lawmakers are flocking back to Hartford for yet another session.
A market born of disease
In five years, dLife builds medical media relevance.
Hedge funds bounce back
Amid a rebound, hedge funds are bracing for new regulations and taxes.
Earnings report
Praxair remains hopeful Chevron will continue a hydrogen supply project.
Deals & Deeds
Digital Realty Trust Inc. is the new owner of 60-80 Merritt Boulevard in Trumbull.
Cengage offers education platform.
National college opts for Stamford-based platform.
Private equity in brief
KKR established private equity investor Weld North in Greenwich.
PGA event set for October
RSM McGladrey sponsorship tops off PGA schedule.
Green products pick up backers
For Green Earth Technologies in Stamford, reach and shelf space are on the upswing.
The pros of 401(k) pros
Workers who do not use investment tools got worse performance from their 401(k) plans.
AT&T begins hiring push
The telecommunications giant is expanding in two counties.
COBRA antidote
The White House proposed extending a key health insurance subsidy.
Quinnipiac to open med school
North Haven school to focus on primary care.
Fein is nominee for U.S. Attorney
David Fein was nominated as U.S. attorney for the state of Connecticut.
Harbor Point gets $145M package
Stamford’s Harbor Point development is set for $145 million in bonds.
Starwood sees rebound
Starwood Hotels sees business travel picking up.
Rell touts small-business measures
Gov. Rell called for Connecticut banks to contribute to a small-business lending pool.
Saving Connecticut jobs tops CBIA agenda
The 2010 session of the Connecticut General Assembly is right around the corner and concerns over the economy could mean that legislators will be held more accountable this year.
Sikorsky eyes unmanned helicopters
Sikorsky plans to develop a helicopter that can be flown by remote control.
Timko to lead PB innovation
Pitney Bowes hired Joseph Timko to lead strategy and innovation.
Sikorsky in line for $3B pact
Taiwan wants 60 Black Hawks from Sikorsky.
ConnectiCare’s Herbert to retire
Mickey Herbert is retiring March 1 as CEO of ConnectiCare
Ideas in the palm of your hand
Norwalk-based Lipenwald thinks like a consumer and keeps the products coming.
Health lite
Health care emerged as a major campaign issue in the U.S. Senate race in Connecticut.
LinkedIn but all atwitter
We need to get more hands on the tweet deck, I remarked in a news meeting the other day.
Commercial real estate in brief
GE renewed CBRE’s contract to handle transactions on 4,700 properties worldwide.
People’s United sizes up Boston, LA
People’s United plans to enter the Boston market and possibly the California arena, too.
Earnings in brief
Xerox Corp. is cutting 2,500 jobs in the first quarter.
Private equity in brief
DECD quantified Connecticut Innovations’ economic impact.
Retirement in 2010
Affluent individuals at their professional peaks are recognizing the need for lifestyle tradeoffs come retirement.
Outsourcing picks up momentum
Outsource industry profits in 2010 could mean the economic turnaround is genuine.
Snyder to lead Yale’s management school
A University of Chicago dean will lead the Yale School of Management.
Hotel economics
Westport is weighing the future of the retail and hospitality complex anchored by the Inn at National Hall.
Haiti has mobile payments in spotlight
Save the Children demonstrated the effectiveness of mobile payments.
Beyond social media: Building your business online
How many of you have attended a Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook for Business presentation in the past year?
Higher learning hits the web
Sacred Heart University is offering online programs for both undergraduates and graduates.
DOL’s Mayfield dies
Linda Agnew becomes acting state labor commissioner, replacing Patricia Mayfield, who died Jan. 25.
Towers Watson merger complete
Towers Perrin chose New York City for its headquarters.
Sikorsky opens $20 million center
Sikorsky unveiled an advanced manufacturing center in Stratford.
Law in brief
Gen Re is paying more than $90 million in settlements.
Credit remains problem for small businesses
Businesses indicate that credit conditions remain tight in Connecticut.
Quinnipiac to open medical school
Quinnipiac University plans to open a medical school in North Haven.
AT&T begins hiring push
Telecommunications giant AT&T has begun a hiring push in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
Italian fare on Main Street
New restaurant opens in Stratford.
Praxair starts rebound
Praxair its first revenue increase in five fiscal quarters.
Nestlé Waters to relocate to Stamford
Nestlé Waters is relocating from Greenwich to Stamford.
Save the Children, AmeriCares detail aid effort
Save the Children, AmeriCares have delivered tons of medical supplies in Haiti.
Help for Haiti
Connecticut companies large and small pledged what they could.
Perusing the retail aisles
Amid a supermarket boom, Wegmans offers no local expansion plans.
New year, new hopes
Build confidence and restore jobs.
Soccer as rudder and business
In soccer, once the pinnacle of play has past and the mud on the cleats dries, past players must adapt to the world of work.
Fed expects rebound this quarter
The economy appears to be rounding a corner toward growth, an economist says.
Temp help jumps
Temp agencies report increases in business.
Bysiewicz to switch races
Bysiewicz jumped from the governor’s race to that for AG.
Health plans in flux
Double-digit inflation vs. the great unknown.
Colliers enters county
Colliers International is acquiring FirstService Williams.
Starwood hiring looks up
Starwood Hotels plans to add 12,000 employees this year.
Clothier ups new media presence
Vineyard Vines calls on IBM to tune its shopping experience.
AT&T sued over mobile Web access
AT&T is accused of illegally charging sales tax for Internet access on mobile devices.
MDs miffed
Doctors sue over United Health’s acquisition of Health Net’s Connecticut business.
Loan demand up
Getting bank loans continues to be problematic for small businesses.
WorkPlace wins training funds
The WorkPlace Inc. secured $4.5 million in training funds.
GE Capital still struggling
GE indicated improved overall business at year-end.
Conn. jobless rate jumps
Connecticut’s jobless rate jumped to 8.9 percent in December.
Lamont, Foley early leaders for governor
Lamont has a slight lead over Foley in a new poll.
Xerox to print pink slips
Xerox Corp. is cutting $250 million in costs during the first quarter.