Hyperfine, Inc., the groundbreaking medical device company that created Swoop®, the world's first FDA-cleared portable MRI system™, and the Brain Tumor Foundation have launched a new partnership to provide access to free brain scans across the United States. The Brain Tumor Foundation (BTF) will utilize Hyperfine's FDA-cleared Swoop® devices to provide neuroimaging nationwide as part of their Road to Early Detection campaign, a research collaboration between BTF and Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

In the United States, the out-of-pocket cost of an MRI can range from $400 to $3,500. MRIs are critical in early detection of brain tumors; however, the high costs of imaging and the uneven geographic distribution of MRI suites create barriers to access for many people. Additionally, while early detection and preventive measures for breast, colorectal, lung, and skin cancers have become standard public health practices, similar standards are lacking for brain tumors and other brain abnormalities. BTF is not only providing free brain scans to an estimated 10,000 individuals across the country through its Road to Early Detection campaign, it is also conducting a study on the effectiveness of MRI as an early screening measure for diagnosis of brain abnormalities including brain tumors, silent strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Read More

Outgoing Comptroller Kevin Lembo issued his final monthly financial and economic update on Dec. 31 with a projected General Fund surplus of $911.9 million for Fiscal Year 2022.

Lembo, who resigned due to health issues, noted the state’s economy was continuing to gain vibrancy by citing data that showed November was the eleventh consecutive month of job growth and a gross domestic product that increased by 2.7% in the third quarter. He also pointed out that while rental housing prices were up 17% year-over-year, the state has not seen a spike in evictions.

Lembo also projected another large deposit into the state’s Budget Reserve Fund – also known as the Rainy Day Fund – of approximately $1.88 billion, with $1.76 billion available to reduce unfunded pension liability. Read More

Gov. Ned Lamont and state health officials continue urging people to get vaccinated and boosted as the omicron COVID-19 variant runs rampant in Connecticut.

The statewide positivity rate hit 21.5%, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said during a press conference Monday morning.

Lamont said he would not impose any statewide mask mandate, but he strongly encouraged people to wear face masks. Read More

Throughout this year, we’ve seen unprecedented interest in EDA’s funding opportunities, including our American Rescue Plan programs.

It is our mission to efficiently, effectively, and equitably disperse these funds to help communities respond to and recover from the pandemic and build back better.

With that mission in mind, we have decided to provide Good Jobs Challenge applicants with an extra two weeks to complete their applications. The Good Jobs Challenge application deadline is now Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

We are also providing potential applicants with the option to submit their intent to apply to GoodJobsChallenge@EDA.gov by January 5, 2022. The applicant’s intent to apply email should include the applicant’s name and a contact person with contact information. Submission of intent to apply is voluntary; it will have no impact on an applicant’s consideration. There are no consequences if an applicant submits an intent to apply email but does not actually apply for the grant.

To help support your efforts, please review our FAQ and other resources. If you have any further questions, please contact GoodJobsChallenge@EDA.gov.