• Jepsen said that after spending the last three months in meetings he had initiated with various corporate officials, he was determined to help “correct” the perception that Connecticut is a bad place to do business.
• Jepsen during the hourlong interview also criticized the state’s economic development efforts, saying they have been ineffective and, in some cases, antagonistic to business.
• [Jepsen said] “I’m less prone to litigate, I’m more into problem-solving…Before we go after somebody, we want to have a conversation.”

These comments are a breath of fresh air from the harsh and cynical views that have become all too common from some of our state leaders over the past decade.   As we have said before, the current business environment in the state has become far too grim to spur economic development and job growth in the state.   Connecticut has become known as a state that looks to penalize companies before it helps them.  It’s no wonder why companies are choosing to either open up their doors elsewhere, or shut them down completely and take their jobs with them.

Therefore, the comments from Mr. Jepsen, were a welcome sign to members of the business community who are looking for a region that can provide them an opportunity to become profitable and provide more positions of employment to the hardworking residents of the state.   Companies are not looking for a free-ride, or a pass on measures that keep the public safe.  They are looking for a region that will allow them to succeed and grow their business.  Whether Mr. Jepsen is our next attorney general is not the point, but whether others will recognize that our state policymakers need to be more welcoming to our business community and willing to work with them is of the utmost importance.

As our focus moves towards the general elections in November, we continue to emphasize the fact that with new leadership, should come more cooperation among our elected leaders and the business community.  We need leaders who can set a tone that will resonate throughout the state that the status quo is no longer acceptable and Connecticut needs to do more to improve our business environment.    The remaining candidates must identify those challenges which are facing the business community in Connecticut, and provide realistic solutions, such as lowering state spending, attracting and nurturing more small businesses, and providing new incentives to encourage job creation in Connecticut.

We trust that these candidates will embrace some of the suggestions given to them by the business community, and also provide innovative ways to spur job and business growth.    The result, will be leading our state in a new direction that creates a more prosperous and attractive climate for current and new businesses to keep their doors open and provide more jobs for Connecticut’s residents.

All six of the candidates participating in this August’s primaries have now confirmed their attendance.  The candidates include: Michael Fedele, Thomas Foley, Oz Griebel, Ned Lamont, Dan Malloy, and Tom Marsh.  During the forum Mr. Insana will ask candidates to discuss their views on issues impacting economic development in the state and to bring forth ideas on how Connecticut can create more jobs for its residents and attract new business to the state.

Those wishing to attend must have a ticket to enter the luncheon.  Tickets can still be purchased through the Connecticut Business Expo. Click here to secure your seat for a very important discussion about Connecticut’s future!

The 2010 Survey of Eastern Connecticut Businesses also indicates that nearly half the businesses in the region also have reduced employee wages and benefits.

To see the full article and comments from JNEN’s co-chair, Tony Sheridan, click here.

The 2010 Survey of Eastern Connecticut Businesses also indicates that nearly half the businesses in the region also have reduced employee wages and benefits.

To see the full article and comments from JNEN’s co-chair, Tony Sheridan, click here.

Businesses that dissolve must file papers with the Secretary of the State’s office, and the latest figures show a record number of shut-downs for the third quarter. The 2,600 businesses that failed represent a nearly seven percent increase in shut downs from the same quarter last year. But there’s also evidence of turnover, with business starts on the increase, up almost two-and-a-half percent on the third quarter of 2008.

Check out the link above for the full story!

Among sectors showing “positive signs” is residential real estate, the researchers wrote in the Fed’s eight-times-a-year summary of economic conditions, commonly known as the Beige Book.

Among the report’s highlights, broken down by sector for New England:

• “Wage increases are very modest or zero; large layoffs appear to have ended, but hiring remains very limited.”

• “Retailers … report mixed sales results for the early fall months, with year-over-year percentage changes in same-store sales ranging from negative to positive mid single-digits.”

Retailers whose sales have been soft are worried about the potential of winter heating costs to further depress demand, the researchers wrote.

• “Tourism activity in Boston is weak, although the rate of decline has slowed,” the researchers wrote. “Business travel is especially soft, and one contact worries that decreased corporate travel and spending will become ‘the new norm.’ ”