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Almanac Short News Items
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Business New Haven
11/29/1999
By: BNH
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Wanted: HMO Buyer
HealthChoice of Connecticut's owners are seeking a buyer. According to health-care industry newsletter 2001 HealthScan, the present owners, Yale-New Haven Health System, Yale University and St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center, are looking to sell either a portion of the 55,000-member health plan or the entire business in order to concentrate on running their hospitals. As of June 30, the Farmington-based HealthChoice had a net worth of about $9.7 million. The HMO posted a loss of $1.99 million in 1998, and $2.86 million in the first six months of 1999.
BIA: Calling All Kids
In an effort to encourage more secondary students to consider technical careers - and to help restock the pipeline of job-ready workers - the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) brought about 1,500 of them to visit manufacturing and technology companies on “Manufacturing & Technology Careers Day,” November 17. More than 60 companies hosted students from state high schools and even middle schools, showing them first-hand the array of careers available to all levels of graduates. “These companies are having real difficulty finding skilled workers,” said CBIA associate counsel Elizabeth Gara. “Part of the problem is too few students are pursuing technical careers. When these companies open up their doors, we hope it will open students' eyes to the exciting careers available in field such as biotechnology, aerospace, information technology, telecommunications and others.”
Housing Continues Surge
The 894 new housing units authorized by Connecticut communities in September represents the second-highest monthly total of the 1990s, according to the state's Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). Only September 1998 posted a higher figure: 984 new housing units. The largest number of new authorized units were recorded in Hartford County, 204; Fairfield County (197 units) and New Haven County (184) followed suit. The greatest monthly percentage increase (15 percent) was posted by Windham County, while Danbury topped all state municipalities by authorizing 46 new units.
Flying High at Bradley
The state-run Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks is on a 1999 pace to top six million passengers for the first time in the flyway's history. Year-to-date passenger volume is up 11 percent over 1998, ahead of an industry average four percent. For August (the most recent month available), the majority of Bradley carriers reported monthly increases in excess of ten percent. Both USAirways and Delta Air Lines continue to report record months due to expansions of their low-cost affiliates, MetroJet and Delta Express, respectively. USAirways serves 146,600 travelers for the month, or 26.2 percent of the Bradley total. Flying 119,300 passengers in and out of Bradley, Delta captured 21.3 percent of the market. With Southwest Airlines having begun 12 daily flights from Bradley on October 31, the passenger increases are expected to accelerate.
Starting at the Top
The state's Department of Community & Economic Development (DECD) is seeking to increase business participation in its CEO Summer Intern Program, now in its second year. Here's how it works: High school juniors at or near the top of their class academically are hired for six- to eight-week summer internships by Connecticut CEOs. Each firm designs an interesting summer job for the student, how meets with the CEO at least three times during the internship. A $2,500 stipend is paid by the company at the end of the job. This summer, 44 companies sponsored 48 students from 31 municipalities, who gained valuable experience in fields ranging from medicine and manufacturing to finance and technology. To learn more, call 860-486-4077.
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