April 1, 2019Edition

Connecticut community colleges have high drop-out rates, and administrators argue that the schools simply need more money to better support students, many of whom come from lower-income backgrounds and face financial hardships.

On the day Transportation Committee members approved three bills that would lay the groundwork for highway-toll adoption in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont's office released a statement from two top business leaders supporting the measures.

The phrase “free college” has dominated the national and local discourse on higher education in recent years. Right now, 15 states offer some kind of free-college program, while another 16 are considering it, according to The Education Trust, a national nonprofit that advocates for minority and low-income students.

The 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act created many new tax advantages for businesses.

“Harvard Business Review Manager's Handbook — The 17 Skills Leaders Need to Stand Out” (Harvard Business Review...

Robinson+Cole was recently the lead sponsor for Hartford Stage's production of “Detroit '67.” During a private reception hosted prior to the performance, the Hartford law firm made a $2,500 contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. The donation will help BGCH provide an array of youth-development programs for the region's most needy children and teens. Pictured (from left) are: Brenda Parker, BGCH; Stephen E. Goldman, Robinson+Cole; and Shawonda Swain, BGCH.

KardasLarson, a Glastonbury-based HR consulting firm, recently celebrated (shown left) its 15th-year anniversary. The firm was founded by Carol Kardas and Margot Larson, to provide both HR consulting services to small and mid-size businesses, municipalities and nonprofits.

The Connecticut Historical Society (CHS), a Smithsonian affiliate, has named a museum director from New Mexico as its chief executive.

When a company decides to rebrand, they often seek out an advertising firm to figure out the most commercially viable fit. But what about when an advertising firm wants to rebrand itself?

Thousands of salespeople work in conditions that are stacked against their success.

Students from Thirman Milner School in Hartford, local educators and community leaders recently joined Amazon at its Windsor fulfillment center to celebrate Black History Month. Students were taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and got a first-hand look at Amazon robotics. After the tour, Amazon surprised the students with a $15,000 donation, which will help the school create a STEM program.

While tourism advocates agree the industry needs additional funding, some say it's time to rebrand Connecticut.

Connecticut companies that offer student loan assistance programs could soon be eligible for a new tax credit.

Over the past year, small business owners have expressed record confidence in their local economies and, as a result, many are attempting to expand their business or increase hiring.

Hartford Business Journal in 2019 did an occasional series on Connecticut's higher-education industry, which contributes billions of dollars to the state's economy and is going through rapid change.