News

Beer’d Brewing Company opens long-awaited second taproom in Groton

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Beer'd Brewing Co. owners Aaren Simoncini and Precious Putnam were correct to be concerned about the capacity of their second taproom, called The Silo, for Sunday's grand opening. By mid-afternoon the wait to get inside the 60-person-capacity taproom was more than two hours, and dozens of people milled around the outside of the facility at 225 Leonard Drive, at the end of the Airport Business Park. Click here for the full article

Elizabeth Ellenwood’s work to be featured at von Schlippe Gallery

Friday, January 17, 2020

"Among the Tides," a new exhibit featuring the work of photographer Elizabeth Ellenwood, will be on display at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus in Groton from Jan. 23 through March 15, with an opening reception Jan. 24. The reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, located on the second floor of the Branford House at the Avery Point campus. Click here for the full article

CT Among Nation's Best States to Raise a Family

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Connecticut is a top ten state to raise a family, a recent analysis has found. The state ranks 9th, and is one of four New England states earning a place in the top ten. Massachusetts ranked number two, Vermont was fourth and New Hampshire was fifth. Rhode Island was 14th and Maine was 18th. The leading state was Minnesota. The financial website WalletHub compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness. The data included ranges from median family salary to housing affordability to unemployment rate, divided into four categories: Health & Safety, Education & Child Care, Affordability and Family Fun. Read full article.

Groton Community Meals to offer second meal site

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Every week, Groton Community Meals serves an average of 130 to 140 hot meals during its Monday night dinner at the Groton Senior Center. One recent night it dished out more than 200. Building on the program's success and a need for a second meal site, the soup kitchen will now offer meals one night a week at West Side STEM Magnet Middle School in the City of Groton. Starting this week, the free dinners will be served at the middle school every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in addition to the Monday dinners from 6 to 7 p.m. at the senior center. Click here for the full article

Tony Orlando sings with Groton students, urges them to dream

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Each generation has musical heroes who wash into relative obscurity against the rising tide of newer, real-time artists. In that fashion, it wasn’t much of a surprise or even a disappointment that few students at Cutler Arts & Humanities Magnet Middle School were familiar with 1970s pop star Tony Orlando when he showed up Monday morning to sing a few hits and speak to students about the importance of dreams and hard work. Click here for the full article

Why I am not leaving Connecticut

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

Some facts about Connecticut: · Population: 3.59 million (29 out of 50 states) · Area: 5,543 sq miles (48 out of 50 states) · Joined the Union in 1788 (5th state to join) We are small, but mighty. We also have a long history which has shaped how we live, work and play. If you are not from Connecticut or the northeast, you probably don't know much about our great state. We are known for being many things: · Constitution State (We have the first written constitution as recognized by many historians) · Nutmeg State (We were so persuasive that we could sell a wooden nutmeg) · Insurance Capital of the World (We have one of the highes...

Kindness in Real Life: Grand Wine and Spirits donates to Work Vessels for Vets

Thursday, December 26, 2019

A recent campaign by Grand Wine and Spirits netted nearly $1,600 for a local charity that supports veterans nationwide. In addition to housing collection boxes for Work Vessels for Vets, Chuck Bowe, owner of Grand Wine and Spirits, created a promotion that donated $2 from selected wine and spirits purchased between Veterans’ Day and Pearl Harbor Day to the Mystic-based organization. Click here for the full article

Fitch High School robotics team combines learning with giving back

Monday, December 23, 2019

Dozens of members from the Fitch Senior High School robotics team gathered in the school’s foyer Saturday afternoon to package more than 27,000 meals to be sent to an international community in need — an effort the group says further connected them as a robotics “family” while also giving back to the wider community. “We are not just a robotics team. Being involved in the community, helping out the next person is the foundation of our mission,” said robotics team head coach Kevin Harrilal, as more than 50 volunteers stood at tables working on thousands of food packages in collaboration with the nonprofit Ris...

New London, Groton could become sister cities with Kingston, Jamaica

Monday, December 23, 2019

A delegation from Kingston, Jamaica, toured New London and Groton on Friday, as the communities explore the possibility of becoming "sister cities." At the State Pier facility in New London, local officials told the delegation about the harbor, the designation of Groton and New London as the "Thames River Innovation Place" and plans for expanded shipbuilding across the river at Electric Boat in Groton, among other developments. Click here for the full article

Sailors make it home for the holidays

Monday, December 23, 2019

Groton — A cold wind could not dampen the enthusiasm of the loved ones waiting on the pier at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base for the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) to dock Friday. Click here for the full article

Norwich-New London area 12th best-paying small metro for millennials, report says

Thursday, December 19, 2019

The Norwich-New London area is the 12th best-paying small metropolitan area in the country for millennials, according to a new report from the New York-based financial startup Fabric. The report itself only noted the top 10 small metropolitan areas, but a corresponding news release pointed to southeastern Connecticut as number 12. The analysis was of 120 small metros, those with a population between 100,000 and 350,000. Fabric used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis to determine the best-paying areas for millennials. The Pew Research Center defines millennials as those born between 1981 and 1996. Click here for the ful...

Old Mystic guitar dealer Bergeron turns his passion into a book

Monday, December 16, 2019

For almost 60 years, rock 'n' roll has been associated overwhelmingly with the electric guitar. Even casual fans with no particular musical prowess can name at least one of the two main instruments that serve as THE six-string delivery systems for rock. They are the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. Click here for the full article

House passes defense policy bill backing submarine construction at EB, provides money for new pier at sub base

Friday, December 13, 2019

The U.S. House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed an annual defense policy bill that includes support for the recently announced submarine contract awarded to Electric Boat and money to replace an aging pier at the Naval Submarine Base to accommodate a longer, more modern version of the attack submarine that will be built. The bill, which authorizes $738 billion in defense spending, passed the House by a vote of 377 to 48. The Senate is expected to take up the measure next week. President Donald Trump has indicated he intends to sign the bill. Click here for the full article

Outlook 2020 - Leveraging Global Economic Trends for Local Impact

Thursday, December 12, 2019

After a period of steady growth, we’re starting to see signs of a slow down as the economy begins to return to a more baseline level of growth. Factors such as the diminishing effects of the temporary boost from the 2017 tax changes, as well as slowing in the manufacturing sector due to prolonged uncertainty with trade and tariffs, have a different economic outlook going into 2020. Fresh from a presentation at the 2019 Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Annual Convention, Courtney Hendricson, CERC’s Vice President of Municipal Services, and Rachel Gretencord, CERC’s Financial and Research Analyst, come together to recap an outlook o...

Department of Economic and Community Development - Working for CT Businesses

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

David Lehman, Commissioner of the DECD, is a dedicated public official working to create the best potential business atmosphere in CT. He not only understands the challenges, but believes in the possibilities. Commissioner Lehman shared with Ari his background in the private sector and discussed why that enables him to lead the DECD with a clear understanding of business needs. He also talked about the importance of the main pillars for growth: Transportation, Workforce/Education, Fiscal Stability, and a Focus on Cities. Commissioner Lehman spoke with enthusiasm about the new Chief Manufacturing Officer position, the man chosen to fill the position, Colin Cooper...

$22B Navy Contract Highlights Why GD’s Electric Boat Is One Of The Most Valuable Franchises In U.S. Defense

Monday, December 09, 2019

This week’s announcement that the Electric Boat unit of General Dynamics will receive the biggest shipbuilding contract in Navy history underscores the unique role that “EB” (as it is often called) plays in U.S. defense. The contract provides $22 billion for construction of nine Virginia-class attack submarines, an amount that could increase to $24 billion if the Navy exercises the option for a tenth sub. Click here for the full article

DECD Commissioner David Lehman bares CT’s new economic-incentives playbook

Monday, December 09, 2019

It’s no secret that the Lamont administration plans to reform the way state government doles out incentives to private companies looking to add jobs or make significant capital investments in Connecticut. Now, the strategy is finally taking shape. In a recent interview with Hartford Business Journal, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner David Lehman bared the state’s new economic-incentives playbook, which will focus on four key programs, including two new concepts. Read full article.

Global Economic and Industry Trends: What do They Mean on a Municipal Level?

Friday, December 06, 2019

We keep hearing that Connecticut’s industries are changing – manufacturing is becoming more automated, retail is changing as goods are delivered to our doorsteps, healthcare is the fastest growing industry nationwide -- and these trends hold true here in our state. Add tariffs, global economic softening and international political turmoil and most of our community leaders are overwhelmed, to say the least. What can they do locally about any of this? Why should it matter to any of our municipal leaders? Read full article.

Tiny Houses and Granny Pods - What They Mean for Municipal Land Use Planners

Thursday, December 05, 2019

Popular in California and the Pacific Northwest where we see high population growth and prohibitive real estate prices, the fastest adopters of the tiny house movement are millennials, who are trying to establish their own space, and baby boomers / early empty-nesters that are looking to downsize. Here in Connecticut, tiny homes are more of a curiosity or novelty, and come with complications, in part due to municipal zoning regulations. Listen as Courtney Hendricson, Vice President of Municipal Services at CERC welcomes John Guszkowski, Lead Planner and Community Developer with CME Associates and they discuss the state of tiny homes in Connecticut, including legislatio...

UnitedHealth: CT is the fourth healthiest state in U.S.

Thursday, December 05, 2019

The UnitedHealth Foundation has awarded fourth place to Connecticut in its latest annual state ranking of overall health, down one slot from last year. The state was bumped down as Vermont vaulted from fourth place to first place in this year’s “America’s Health Rankings.” Connecticut lost ground in drug deaths per capita, excessive drinking, children in poverty, cases of chlamydia, low birth weights, and premature deaths. Read full article.

Electric Boat president says $22.2 billion submarine contract provides predictable future for company

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Electric Boat President Kevin Graney hailed the $22.2 billion contract — the largest shipbuilding contract in Navy history — inked Monday for providing predictability for the company's 17,000 employees and the "entire submarine enterprise." The contract between the Navy and EB to build at least nine Virginia-class attack submarines over the next five years "is an important milestone as our nation prepares for a generational increase in submarine production," Graney said Tuesday at a news conference at the company's Groton headquarters.

First local plastics manufacturing training program to launch in January

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Following a multiyear push for a plastics manufacturing training program, and building on the success of the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board program, Workforce Alliance is launching a free, 10-week Intro to Plastics Manufacturing course through Three Rivers Community College in January. EWIB and Workforce Alliance are among the state’s five regional workforce investment boards, with Workforce Alliance based in New Haven and serving the south-central region. Click here for the full article

Majority of UConn class of 2019 found in-state employment within six months of graduation, says new report

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

A new UConn report shows that recent alumni are choosing to remain in Connecticut after graduation for work, though the percentage of former students who stay has declined over the last three years. Data from the UConn’s Center for Career Development also show that more students — about 90% — report being established in jobs, post graduate programs or other pursuits, such as the military or volunteer service. Read full article.

Navy inks $22.2 billion contract with Electric Boat for at least nine new submarines

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

The Navy has signed a $22.2 billion contract with Electric Boat to build at least nine Virginia-class attack submarines over the next five years. The contract includes the option to buy a 10th submarine, but that purchase is contingent on a six-month review of submarine production at EB and Newport News Shipbuilding, which together build two Virginia-class submarines per year. With construction starting soon on a new class of ballistic missile submarines, a top priority for the Navy given these submarines will be armed with nuclear weapons, the Navy wants to ensure that EB, Newport News and their suppliers can handle tha...

Connecticut's Manufacturers Look To New Czar To Solve Skills Gap

Tuesday, December 03, 2019

Connecticut’s first chief manufacturing officer says one issue dominates his agenda as he takes up his new post: finding enough skilled workers to fill thousands of open positions in the industry. For years, Colin Cooper headed up the Eastford-based Whitcraft Group, a sheet metal manufacturer and one of the larger aerospace supply chain companies in the state, doing business with Pratt & Whitney, GE, Rolls-Royce and other giants. Cooper retired from the corner office a year ago and has since remained involved on Whitcraft’s board. Read full article.

What to Do with Connecticut’s Infrastructure: An Expert Perspective

Sunday, December 01, 2019

An interview with Norman Anderson, Chairman and CEO of CG/LA Infrastructure, on CT2030, user fees, alternative funding sources and more, conducted by Connecticut resident Matthew Chudoba. Read full interview.

Groton's ThayerMahan has the world's oceans covered

Friday, November 15, 2019

If ever a local business were operating in a “sweet spot” among current and potential customers, it’s ThayerMahan, a maritime technology firm that specializes in unmanned undersea robotics. With Electric Boat nearby, the U.S. Naval Sub Base up the Thames River, the Coast Guard Academy across the river, and maritime businesses stretching from Long Island Sound to across the 70 percent of the planet covered by oceans, opportunities for this four year-old company abound. In July, it received a four-year, $19.4 million contract from the Office of Naval Research to fund development of its proprietary acoustic and electronic search systems i...

Mystic Education Center proposed as mixed-use village for young professionals

Friday, November 08, 2019

Groton — The former Mystic Education Center, at 240 Oral School Road, is proposed to be redeveloped as a mixed-use village designed for young professionals to "live, work and play," according to conceptual plans announced Thursday. Respler Homes LLC is proposing to turn the former Mystic Oral School building into the village's "commercial hub," with co-working and high-tech R&D spaces and amenities such as an organic market, coffeehouse and restaurant, and constructing about 750 market-rate apartments on site. Click here for the full article

State Unveils Business Recruitment Video Promoting “Place People Love to Live”

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

“It’s a state where people wanna be,” exclaims Gov. Ned Lamont in the state’s new business recruitment video. The 7-minute video has an impressive line-up of a dozen co-stars, extolling the state’s virtues and urging corporate decision-makers from elsewhere to “Choose Connecticut.” As the video’s narrator intones “Where you work can determine how successful you can be,” scenes of Connecticut businesses and landscapes appear on-screen, leading to the verbal and visual welcome mat - “welcome to a place people love to live.” Read full article.

Business Contributions to the Economy

Friday, November 01, 2019

Businesses provide numerous benefits to an economy in the form of products and services for use by society, tax revenues to governments, payroll to employees, and innovations, among others. Businesses range in type from sole proprietors to multi-national conglomerates. The figures below show how many companies are located in Connecticut by employee size, and how many people are employed by those different-sized companies. The 2018 data is available from the Connecticut Department of Labor, and refers to worksites, which is a count of firms, excluding government, that have only one location, plus a count of each location of firms that hav...

Governor Lamont Forms Council to Ensure Businesses Have Access to the Best Trained Workers in the Country

Friday, November 01, 2019

Executive Order Focuses on Coordinating the State’s Workforce Training Initiatives to Meet the Needs of 21st Century Jobs Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has signed an executive order directing the creation of the Governor’s Workforce Council, a body that will be responsible for partnering with the business community and knocking down barriers among state government agencies so that Connecticut can have the most aligned, high-quality, and equitable workforce development system in the country. The governor explained that his goal is to “reform a system designed to meet the needs of 20th century jobs and realign it for the 21st century. Connecticut rightly has a nationa...

As Electric Boat marks the biggest Groton shipyard expansion in decades, company President Jeffrey Geiger announces his retirement

Friday, October 04, 2019

As Electric Boat celebrated its biggest expansion at its Groton shipyard in more than 45 years, the company announced a major change in leadership with the retirement of company President Jeffrey Geiger. General Dynamics announced that Geiger will retire Sept. 30 after 35 years with the defense contractor. He will be succeeded by Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics NASSCO, which designs and builds auxiliary and support ships for the Navy, oil tankers and dry cargo carriers. Read full article.

Modern Economic Development with a Focus on Inclusivity

Thursday, October 03, 2019

In years past, economic development focused primarily on job creation and GDP growth as ways to measure progress. While these are still important measures, modern economic development practices have expanded to include a focus on inclusivity—making sure that economic benefits and an improved standard of living accrue to residents across the spectrum, and not just to those in select categories. Similarly, the changing nature of work means that community characteristics such as broadband access, educational networks, and quality healthcare are as important as traditional infrastructure such as roads and railways. As such, many economic development organizations have expanded the benchmarks the...

In National Ranking of School Systems, a New State Is On Top

Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Nation earns a grade of C amid mixed state showing New Jersey takes the top spot in the newly released "Quality Counts 2019," the 23rd annual report card of state education systems issued by the Education Week Research Center, while the nation as a whole once again earns a C grade despite some jockeying for position among individual states. The report, the third of three installments, synthesizes 39 indicators that capture a range of school finance, academic achievement, and socioeconomic factors that affect the quality of state school systems. Read full article.

Manufacturing jobs grow in eastern Conn.

Tuesday, October 01, 2019

State and federal investments in eastern Connecticut’s once-struggling manufacturing sector are paying off, according to new data made public by state and nonprofit officials. Studies from the Eastern Workforce Investment Board, an agency operating under the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that oversees workforce development programs, and the Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance placed the region’s manufacturing job growth at 11.3 percent between 2015 and 2019, four times the state’s average and twice the U.S. average. Read full article.

Cooperative Leads with Environmental Stewardship & Provides Delicious Oysters in Groton

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Operating on the docks of Groton’s Noank village, the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative is cultivating oysters and growing the local oyster population. Their sustainable practices are providing East Coast customers with delicious oysters to eat, and locals with the opportunity to continue their traditions. Founded in 2000 by a group of Groton’s oyster farmers, it has since expanded to include members from Long Island, NY. Their goal is to work together to cultivate the finest oysters for the Northeast region. Jim Markow and Karen Rivara, the owners of member-Aeros, created the cooperative so that Groton’s aquaculture businesses would have access to ...

Connecticut: 10th Happiest State in the Nation. Really.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Happy is not often a word associated with residents of Connecticut. So it may come as a surprise to many that Connecticut is the 10th happiest state in the nation, according to a new analysis considering a range of variables. Categories from public safety to suicide rate, divorce rate to adequate sleep, volunteerism to hours worked were included. In order to determine the happiest states in America, the financial website WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: 1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being, 2) Work Environment and 3) Community & Environment. They evaluated those dimensions using 31 relevant metrics. The to...

Having a Baby? Connecticut’s a Great Place, Data Shows

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

If having a baby is on your agenda, Connecticut is among the best places to be. The state ranks in the top ten, as do four other New England states. The financial website WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 30 key measures of cost, health care accessibility, as well as baby- and family-friendliness. The data included in the analysis ranges from hospital conventional-delivery charges to annual average infant-care costs to pediatricians per capita. The top ten: Vermont, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Washington, Colorado, Connecticut and Utah. Read full article.

Oyster companies propose restoring Thames Street pier

Friday, August 16, 2019

Groton — Two oyster companies are proposing to restore a pier and vacant property at Thames Street as a spot to stage their boats for their Thames River operations and safely store vessels during storms. Norm Bloom and Son and Aeros Cultured Oysters, both members of the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative and working to make shellfish beds in the Thames River productive again, are partnering on the plan for the vacant site at 107 Thames St. at the bottom of Broad Street. The site once served as a boatyard with a marine railway for hauling boats and a wooden pier, according to the application filed with the city. The city's Planning and Zoning Commission approved a site pla...

General Dynamics Wins $15.2M Shipbuilding Deal for SSN 787

Monday, August 12, 2019

General Dynamics Corporation’s GD business division, Electric Boat, recently secured a contract worth $15.2 million for planning, material procurement and conducting repair work of USS Washington (SSN 787). The contract was awarded by the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Groton, CT. Work related to the deal will be carried out in Groton, CT, and is scheduled to be over by December 2019. Read full article.

Best Practices in Land Use & Economic Development Certification Launched

Thursday, August 01, 2019

‘Best Practices in Land Use and Economic Development’ by municipalities in Connecticut will soon be able to earn recognition through a new industry certification program aimed at highlighting outstanding practices. The Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS) is launching the program, in collaboration with Connecticut Economic Development Association, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the University of Connecticut-Department of Extension, and sponsors Eversource, UI, CNG, SCG, Pullman & Comley, and STV/DPM. The new accreditation is a strategy for sharing information on planning policies and aims to serve as a catalyst for economic development in Connecticut. Rea...

Groton launches efforts for complete count in 2020 Census

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Groton — Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz stood alongside local officials and community members to share the message that every person should be counted in the 2020 Census and that local efforts will be vital in getting the word out that the census is important and safe. At the event at the Groton Town Hall Annex, Groton officials announced that the town and city each are forming a Complete Count Committee that will partner with local constituencies and reach out to the community about the importance of completing the census. Bysiewicz said the state's Complete Count Committee, which launched in February, includes more than 100 organizations that are partnering in the effort to ensure the state is participatin...

LBI Corp: Making Waves in Groton!

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Groton has many unique businesses thriving in the community. LBI Corp is one of them and unique doesn’t begin to do them justice. LBI Corp is an Engineering and Manufacturing company that specializes in research and product development for marine systems. Founded in May 1971 by Peter Legnos, the company has over 48 years of experience in the development of autonomous marine systems, specifically developing marine systems that can handle harsh marine environments. With decades of experience, they have valuable knowledge about materials, composites, mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems to emerging technologies. They provide these valuable services to the United States Department of Defense, th...

Groton Bible Chapel celebrates grand opening of new worship center

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Groton Bible Chapel Lead Pastor Gary Campbell Jr. said he was pleasantly surprised that the church’s new worship center felt like home from its first service. That's partly because the new building is aesthetically designed as a warm, comfortable and inviting space, he said. But he also realized that it's because of the people. Click here for the full article

CT’s 3Q economic growth on pace with U.S.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Connecticut’s economy kept pace with the national economy in the third quarter of 2019, growing 2.1 percent, according to data released Friday. That gross domestic product (GDP) growth over the prior quarter was the 25th highest in the country, in the dead middle of all other states. In New England, Connecticut’s GDP growth was bested by Massachusetts and New Hampshire (both at 2.2 percent) and tied by Maine. Click here for the full article

History Revisited: Shenny’s caddies have a history all their own

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

A month or so ago I had ventured into writing an article relating to what can best described as the “old-time” golf caddies at Groton’s Shennecossett Golf Course. My plan was to begin the piece by providing the readers with a short history about the golf course and then talk about the caddies. Well, as is often the case when writing about local landmarks, the information about the course’s history was so voluminous and interesting that it morphed into its own article and completely drifted away from the subject about the caddies. Click here for the full article

Sculptor envisions twin statues at mouth of Thames River

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

New London — The Connecticut sculptor who created the widely praised statue of the goddess Athena standing watch in downtown New London is contemplating a much larger project — one that spans the Thames River. Killingworth sculptor Renée Rhodes excitedly uses phrases like “iconic landmark,” when describing the concept of the Thames River Twin Gateway Sculptures — 30-foot-tall, bronze statues of female figures that would adorn the opposite banks of the river in Groton and New London. Click here for the full article

Southeastern Connecticut towns benefit from conservation grant money

Thursday, January 09, 2020

Several towns in southeastern Connecticut reaped the benefits of a portion of $9.1 million in state grants, awarded Monday, designating large swaths of land as open spaces. Locally, a combined $3,787,200 was awarded to various organizations to preserve and protect land as open space in Groton, Montville, East Lyme and Ledyard. The effort, authorized under the state's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program, "provides financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire land for open space," according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's website. Click here for the full article

UConn receiving millions to conduct research for U.S. Navy

Thursday, December 19, 2019

WASHINGTON — Professor Richard Christenson isn’t allowed to say exactly what his students at the University of Connecticut are researching for the U.S. Navy. His program, the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, collaborates with the University of Rhode Island and General Dynamics Electric Boat to develop the next-generation of submarines and the workforce that will build them. The program has received millions in federal funding in 2019 and will compete for more government dollars authorized by a recent bipartisan defense bill. Click here for the full article

Connecticut’s manufacturing boom spreads to eastern rural towns as workers flock to plentiful jobs in the submarine and aerospace industries

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

The aviation boom has been good for Columbia Manufacturing Inc. as the aerospace manufacturer in the eastern Connecticut town of Columbia has added more workers and plans to expand its payroll in the next several years. Money and jobs are spreading east into rural areas of the state, paying fresh dividends beyond central Connecticut’s factory towns that date to the Industrial Revolution. Click here for the full article

History comes alive at open house at Fort Griswold in Groton

Monday, December 16, 2019

On a clear day, visitors to Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park can view the mouth of the Thames River and grasp the strategic importance of the Revolutionary War-era fort. Saturday was not a clear day and mist enveloped the area, but it did not deter Groton resident David Rose from explaining to visitors that the fighting that took place here was “clearly the only real battle in the state of Connecticut” during the Revolutionary War. Click here for the full article

Warm Up with Mystic Comfort Foods

Friday, December 13, 2019

As the weather chills, we turn to sweaters, boots and comfort foods. Swimsuits are behind us for a while and so, too, are green salads and lean grilled meats. It’s time to embrace cheesy pasta, juicy burgers, warming soup, fried food, and luscious desserts. Focus on the joy of eating and the company of friends who like to share. Fight the urge to hibernate even though it’s already dark outside. Text a friend to meet you or pick them up on your way but don’t let them miss out. Food and fun are so close and there are no dishe...

Mystic alight with sights and sounds of the holidays

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Members of the Ledyard High School Carolers and Mystic River Choir were singing Christmas carols Tuesday as shoppers strolled around here during the Downtown Holiday Stroll & Luminaria. The annual event included live music and entertainment, later hours for shops, visits with Santa and a Cocktail Trail at participating restaurants. Click here for photos from The Day

Santa, Miss America and a boat parade: Christmas comes to Mystic

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Santa showed up in fashion on Saturday, riding into town on a tugboat. He arrived without Mrs. Claus, but with a different icon: Miss America. The 2019 pageant winner Nia Franklin was this year's special guest for Mystic's annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade. The event began with Santa's entrance, exiting the boat onto the Mystic River Park green and making his way through the parting crowd while waving and wearing a warm smile. Later in the evening, Santa and Franklin lit the Christmas tree and joined thousands of people watching the festive boats float by. Click here for the full article

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