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In New Haven, CT economic czar says 'cities are crucial'
Two days after he went through a tough confirmation process, David Lehman was in New Haven comparing the city to San Francisco with its drawing power for startups and biotech companies, but at a fraction of the cost.

He sees the state forming a partnership with the cities and the private sector to keep this kind of growth increasing. He said he plans to market Connecticut along these lines, particularly around its educated workforce.

"When I think of priorities from my perspective ... the cities are crucial. Having a long-term plan whether that is 20 to 25 years for our cities to grow, to make sure they are places where people want to live, work and play, is crucial," Lehman said on week six of his tenure as the head of the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Read More

Tweed Boss: We'll Get Allegiant Air, If ...           
A second airline has all but committed to fly out of Tweed if the airport extends its current runway - which a bill before the state legislature would allow the airport to do.

Matthew Hoey, the new interim executive director of Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, delivered that report at the regular monthly meeting of the Southern Connecticut Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) on the fourth floor of 127 Washington St. in North Haven.

He told the roughly three dozen municipal officials, economic development boosters, and state and federal legislative analysts gathered at Wednesday's meeting that the Las Vegas-based, budget airline Allegiant Air is "very, very serious" about running planes from New Haven to Florida and perhaps out west as well.

That deal is contingent, however, on the airport extending its runway beyond its current length of 5,600 feet. Neighborhood opposition has helped prevent the state from voting approval needed for the expansion. Read More

Mars Incubator
Mars Incubator
Top Three Teams Share $100,000 Prize in Complete Virtual Construction Level of 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge 
Teams competing in NASA's 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge completed the latest level of the competition - complete virtual construction - and the top three were awarded a share of the $100,000 prize purse. This stage of the challenge required teams to create a full-scale habitat design, using modeling software. This level built upon an earlier stage that also required virtual modeling.

Eleven team entries were scored and awarded points based on architectural layout, programming, efficient use of interior space, and the 3D-printing scalability and constructability of the habitat. Teams also prepared short videos providing insight into their designs as well as miniature 3D-printed models that came apart to showcase the interior design. Points were also awarded for aesthetic representation and realism. After evaluation by a panel of judges, NASA and challenge partner Bradley University of Peoria, Illinois, awarded the following teams:

    SEArch+/Apis Cor - New York - $33,954.11
    Zopherus - Rogers, Arkansas - $33,422.01
    Mars Incubator - New Haven, Connecticut - $32,623.88

The 3D-Printed Habitat Challenge will culminate with a head-to-head subscale structure print May 1-4, 2019, and the awarding of an $800,000 prize purse. Media and the public will be invited to attend the event in Peoria, Illinois. Read More

Business is booming in Branford, Cosgrove says at forum      
For a town with a population of 28,000, Branford has quite a bit of economic activity.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove provided details on nearly a half-dozen private sector development projects during a State of the Town speech he gave at an economic forum Thursday at Stony Creek Brewery. The projects include:
  • Development of two hotels.
  • Relocation of Carbonella & Desarbo, a New Haven-based fruit and vegetable distributor, to town.
  • Construction of a new, 49,000-square-foot factory on Route 139 for Bausch and Stroebel, a German company that makes pharmaceutical packaging machinery and currently has a facility in North Branford.
  • Construction of a stand-alone warehouse for Stony Creek Brewery.

Career Exploration Days in Milford       
4/10 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at Jonathan Law High School
4/11 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at Joseph A. Foran High School
The media centers will be open for students to come see a table display and chat with you about career pathways. The time would be spent sharing your career experiences with grades 9-12 in an open format. Please reach out to Melissa or Blair (Career Coordinators) at bsylvia@milforded.org and mwunder@milforded.org if you are interested.
  


New Winery on Branford/North Branford Line Nears Opening Date Read More 
 
4/26 Bioscience Careers Forum at Southern Connecticut State University Read More 
 
CT DECD Good to Great Program Read More 
 
4/25 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Manufacturing Spotlight - Laticrete Plant Tour by the New Haven Manufacturers Association Register 
 
Connecticut lawmakers urged to spend more on tourism efforts Read More