Hartford Business Journal’s Top 20 stories of 2025

2025 is almost in the rear view mirror, but there were numerous stories across Greater Hartford and Connecticut that stood out.

As we wrap up the year, here is a look back at some of the most read stories on HartfordBusiness.com over the last 12 months.

This is a countdown, so please check back to see the evolving list.

The top 20 stories are:

20. For well-known New Haven nonprofit exec Erik Clemons, ambitious $200M Dixwell Avenue mixed-use redevelopment takes shape

19. CT officials seek exemption from archaic federal law to help lower energy prices, support manufacturing growth

18. $10M Westminster Tool builds growth strategy on culture, training and diversification

17. From humble beginnings, new Quinnipiac President Hardin’s task is to bring university to the ‘next level’

16. Norwalk data center operator grows into $100M business; CT’s high electricity prices prevent in-state growth

15. Yale New Haven Health CEO O’Connor details tough year, restructuring and plans for recovery

14. Highly touted aquaculture business Ideal Fish quietly disappears from Waterbury

13. CT’s first insurer failure in a decade puts policyholders at risk, raises questions about reinsurance deals

12. Priceline founder, serial entrepreneur Walker’s latest venture aims to transform U.S. drug manufacturing

11. EB chief Rayha ramps up property purchases, hiring to meet sub production demands

10. CT revises CPA requirements for first time in 25 years to address accounting workforce shortage

9. Study warns of steep decline in downtown Hartford office values; urges $450M in state incentives

8. ‘This will go down in flames’: Fairfield County towns seek to derail Eversource’s sale of Aquarion

7. Lamont says CT Sun likely headed to ‘bigger TV market,’ hints team could play games in Hartford next season

6. CT court ruling backs employers in remote work legal battle, amid new wave of return-to-office mandates

5. PeoplesBank Arena set to reopen Oct. 17 after $145M overhaul; upgrades already draw more shows

4. Stew Leonard Jr. eyes CEO hand off after 34 years guiding regional grocery chain

3. Nassau’s wellness program, fitness amenities attract steady workforce — and even tenants — in Hartford tower

2. Top Eversource exec calls for removing public benefits charge from electric bills; Democratic lawmaker pushes back

1. Return of the bishops? Insurance CEO Swift convenes corporate leaders to craft unified vision for Hartford’s future

Also:

• Meet the 2025 40 Under 40 Awards honorees
• Here are region’s top Power Players in 2025
• Here are the region’s top real estate leaders in 2025
• Here are Connecticut’s Best Places to Work in 2025
• Here are the region’s top healthcare leaders in 2025
• Top CT home sales of 2025
• Top Greater Hartford home sales of 2025