Jan. 12, 2026 - Hartford Business Journal

Economy & Labor

Rassekh: Despite trade uncertainty, CT economy poised for steady growth in 2026

Absent unforeseen shocks, the state’s economy should continue to grow at a solid pace in 2026.

Energy

Expert’s Corner: CT faces a pivotal moment in energy policy heading into 2026

Connecticut faces third-highest electricity rates in the nation and strained utility-regulator relations, but recent changes at PURA and an imminent Eversource rate case offer a chance to reset energy policy in 2026.

Economy & Labor

🔒AI adoption, cybersecurity rules and workforce pressures converge for manufacturers in 2026

Connecticut manufacturers face 2026 with only 27% adopting AI, a November cybersecurity deadline for defense contractors, persistent workforce shortages and rising healthcare costs.

Education

🔒CT Invention Convention rebrands as NextMinds, expands nationally and globally

Connecticut Invention Convention rebrands as NextMinds and expands beyond state borders, serving 12,000 students in 300 schools with $775,000 backing from ASML.

Economy & Labor

Lanza: Slower job growth, policy uncertainty cloud CT’s 2026 economic outlook

Expect the slowdown in job growth to carry into 2026.

Banking & Finance

Expert’s Corner: Federal, state laws expand RD tax benefits for CT businesses in 2026

Federal legislation allowing immediate deduction of domestic R&D costs and Connecticut's increase in the R&D tax credit exchange rate from 65% to 90% will provide significant cash flow benefits to the state's businesses, particularly emerging biotechnology companies.

Health Care

🔒The state’s health sector faces strong headwinds in 2026

Connecticut's healthcare sector faces rising insurance costs, with rates up 16.8% for individual plans, potential Medicaid cuts affecting 150,000 residents, and the state tapping its rainy day fund to offset federal funding losses.

Education

🔒Colleges revamp programs, expand employer ties and integrate AI as CT grapples with labor shortages, enrollment declines

Connecticut colleges are incorporating AI into coursework and expanding industry partnerships to address workforce shortages while confronting a 5% national enrollment decline and 17% drop in new international students.

Economy & Labor

Flaherty: After post-pandemic surge, CT job growth set to slow in 2026

Connecticut expanded rapidly after the end of the COVID-19 shutdown and has added jobs every year since....

Banking & Finance

🔒Lower borrowing costs could boost lending in 2026 as CT bankers weigh MA, expansion plans and cyber risks

Connecticut banks see brighter 2026 outlook after 82% posted higher third-quarter profits, with interest rate cuts expected to spur refinancing and loan growth despite competition from nonbank lenders.

Banking & Finance

Expert’s Corner: Emerging tech jitters create potential openings for value investors in 2026

Investor fears about AI, stablecoins and tokenization are driving down stocks of companies like Intuit, Visa and Intercontinental Exchange despite limited evidence of actual disruption, potentially creating opportunities for value investors.

Bioscience

🔒Wallingford startup X9 raises $8.6M to develop dialysis needle technology

Wallingford-based X9 Inc. raised nearly $13.7 million to develop an AI-guided device that uses ultrasound to help insert dialysis needles, receiving FDA approval for its ultrasound-only version in October.

Economy & Labor

Carstensen: Federal budget cuts, structural gaps put CT jobs at risk

After a period of encouraging growth in employment and state GDP following the pandemic, employment is now contracting even as defense spending and other drivers continue to lift GDP.

Economic Development

Expert’s Corner: Tenant market to persist in 2026 as high vacancies temper Hartford’s modest office gains

Greater Hartford office market recorded 185,000 square feet more leasing activity in the first three quarters of 2025 despite vacancy rates as high as 50% and downtown Hartford facing its fifth straight year of negative absorption.

Real Estate & Construction

🔒Lower rates may spur commercial real estate activity in 2026, experts say

Lower interest rates and shifting investor sentiment could make 2026 more active for commercial real estate, though experts warn of multifamily market saturation, slowing industrial development and weakening employment conditions.

Real Estate & Construction

Expert’s Corner: Cautious optimism defines CT’s development outlook for 2026

Connecticut's architecture, engineering and construction industry faces 2026 with cautious optimism as borrowing costs stabilize and mixed-use projects gain momentum, though federal infrastructure funding beyond September remains uncertain.

Advertising, Media & Marketing

🔒Marketing push defends Hartford’s ‘insurance capital’ status as Midwest rivals gain ground

The state-funded marketing campaign promoting Hartford as insurance capital of the world will continue in 2026 after generating a 50% increase in web searches, as Connecticut faces growing competition from Midwest states.

Education

🔒Amid decline in international students, University of New Haven President Frederiksen maps out growth agenda for 2026

The university is launching a 130,000-square-foot innovation center, opening a branch campus in Saudi Arabia and transitioning to NCAA Division I athletics, while facing a sharp decline in international student enrollment.

Manufacturing

🔒Sikorsky chief Benton balances massive CH-53K ramp-up with next-generation flight innovation

The Stratford helicopter maker secured a $10.9 billion contract for up to 99 CH-53K helicopters in September 2025, guaranteeing work through 2033, but now faces the challenge of scaling production to meet demand.

Energy

🔒From Marvel to PURA: Thomas Wiehl’s unusual path to CT’s top utility regulator

Thomas Wiehl takes over Connecticut's utility regulator as it rebuilds from leadership turmoil, expands to five commissioners and grapples with the nation's third-highest electric rates.

Health Care

🔒Sullivan to lead CT Children’s through its next growth phase

Shannon Sullivan takes over the Connecticut Children's Medical Center after it opened a $326 million clinical tower and secured a $50 million donation, but faces an operating deficit and Medicaid reimbursement challenges that leave it with 61 cents on the dollar.

Economic Development

Jan. 12, 2026Edition

About

Subscribe

Follow HBJ