CT leads U.S. high-tech, but nation losing ground

Thanks to its strong educational system and manufacturing industry, Connecticut will pace America’s high tech-sector for the next generation.

The Lex model: Hire, train, retain

Shelton power manufacturer Lex Products uses a rare yet simple solution to address the workforce shortage in Connecticut manufacturing.

State to cap school building costs

Connecticut soon will limit the costs of school construction.

Bay State data law may bite CT firms

Connecticut firms doing business across the Massachusetts border may be in for a rude surprise next month.

For retailers, minimum wage, liquor laws are top concerns

When the legislative session opens this week, the largest issues looming for some of Connecticut’s bigger retail groups are the proposed expansion of liquor sales and the proposed increase of the minimum wage.

Booming Hispanic market creates business opportunities

TicketNetwork's Spanish-language version of its sports and concert ticket exchange Web site has been a hit Hispanics beyond those in America.

State hires CBRE to aid in office hunt

The state of Connecticut has hired powerhouse real estate brokerage firm CBRE-New England to assist its efforts in purchasing a large office building as part of a new long-term strategy to consolidate its leased space holdings into state-owned property, government officials confirmed.

Colt Defense adjusts its sights for sales

Q&A talks about the firearms market with David Ridley, vice president of sales and marketing at Colt Defense in West Hartford.

Driven to succeed

Family steers bus business into more profitable lane

Amid rising fuel cost, expensive upgrades and a growing roster of big-name competitors, a local charter bus company is producing steady revenues despite the turbulent economy.

Best practices show how to build trust

One advantage to working directly with Rainmakers every month is I hear stories. These stories relate what works and doesn’t work in building business through relationships.

Books examine ‘local,’ breaking glass ceiling

“All Business is Local: Why Place Matters More Than Ever in a Global, Virtual World” by John Quelch and Katherine Jocz (Portfolio/Penguin, $25.95).

Community banks: An endangered species

Shrinking margins, higher compliance costs putting squeeze on small banks

Connecticut’s community banks have held up relatively well during the economic downturn of the past few years with no bank failures and only a spat of merger activity.

MoverS & Shakers

To submit items for Movers & Shakers, please email text and high-resolution photos to news@ hartfordbusiness.com.

A year of celebration

‘Taste of History’ kicks off Amistad Center’s anniversary

There is perhaps nothing more synonymous with nonprofits than special events. The Amistad Center is having one on Feb. 27.

Malloy misses chance on minimum wage

There are moments when politicians just take your breath away.

Liquor industry changes require gamesmanship

When I arrived at the Hartford Business Journal, my initial strategy was incremental.

Obama plan to consolidate trade agencies needs work

International trade policies and global manufacturing formed the centerpiece of the State of the Union speech delivered recently by President Obama.

Water vs. power

Vermont Yankee pollution puts fish in hot water

The recent Vermont Yankee court decision said the State of Vermont can’t trump the federal government when it comes to issues of nuclear safety.