"Civics First" to Honor School Champions in Trial, Debate

If you're a fan of civic education, particularly in Connecticut, May 31 will be a special day.  That is when the organization Civics First conducts its annual awards dinner, and recognizes  this year's stellar teams and individuals in various competitions sponsored by the organization.  Among this year's champions:

• Crosby High School, 2012 High School Mock Trial State Champion
• Kennedy High School students Shyler Losty, Arlee Biggins, and Anxheliki Duro, 2012 High School Forensics Competition champions
• Academy at Little Farm students Genevieve Riccoboni and Hannah Hunt, 2012 High School Debate State Champions

The Middle School Debate final rounds were held yesterday, with the winners (Our Lady of Mercy) to be honored as well.   The Awards recognition dinner will take place My 31 at 30 Bank Street, New Britain at 6 p.m.

Civics First is a private, non-profit association that promotes and conducts law-related education programs and projects in Connecticut's public and private schools, courtrooms and communities. Its goal is the incorporation of citizenship education into the curriculum of all schools, from kindergarten through high school.

Wondering about the civic health of Connecticut?  Check out the latest data from the Corporation for National & Community Service and the National Conference on Citizenship about Connecticut, now on the Civic Life in America website.  Among the data:  45.9 percent of residents in Connecticut voted in the 2010 National election - ranking them at number 19 among the 50 states and Washington, DC.

Green Jobs Growing in Connecticut, Led by Transportation

The transportation and warehousing industry is Connecticut’s largest employer of green jobs, according to data  complied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Connecticut had 39,207 green jobs in 2010, the first year statistics were available. This represents 2.5 percent of the state workforce, slightly better than the national average of 2.4 percent, according to the BLS data as reported by the Hartford Business Journal. Connecticut’s largest green private sector is transportation and warehousing with 8,238 jobs, followed by manufacturing with 5,071; then administrative and waste services with 4,764; professional, scientific and technical services with 3,443; and utilities with 3,215.  BLS limited data to jobs in businesses producing goods and providing services that benefit the environment or conserve resources.

In 2010, Connecticut had 2,932 green construction jobs, according to BLS. The state government predicts that will grow to 22,602 over the next 10 years with green construction investment more than $1 billion annually. Examples of green jobs in the transportation sector include bus drivers, taxi drivers and employees of transit systems such as CT Transit. Green jobs in the utilities include those working at nuclear power plants, such as the Millstone Power Station in Waterford.

Land of Steady Habits for Women in CT Workforce

In Connecticut in 2011, there were 97,700 women-owned businesses , an increase of 4.5 percent from 2007, generating $15.4 billion in revenues, according to data gathered from various sources by the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.      Women represented 25.9 percent of the self-employed persons in the state (2007 data).    Women make up 48 percent of Connecticut's workforce.  Median earnings for women are $46,004, compared to $60,168 for men.  Women make up 67.7 percent of private not-for-profit wage and salary workers. The class of 2013 Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program at UConn  is only 30 percent women.

Diversity on State Boards and Commissions Improves

The Biennial Report on the Gender and Racial Composition of Connecticut State Boards and Commissions, released this week, shows increases in the representation of women, African Americans and Hispanics.  However, disparities continue to exist between representation on boards and commissions and the percentage of population in the state.  Secretary of the State Denise Merrill says the continuing disparities demonstrate that more work needs to be done.   Among the findings:

• Women: 40.1 percent of the appointed membership on boards and commissions, up 1.6 percentage points from 2009. 2011 Census figures show 51.3 percent of the state's population is female.
• There was a 10 % decrease in the number of Boards and Commissions indicating they had no women members.  That percentage now stands at 13.7.
• African Americans: 9.5 percent, up from 8.1 percent in 2009. Percentage of state population: 9.4 percent.

• Hispanic people: 3.7 percent, up from 2.8% in 2009. Percentage of state population: 13.4 percent.

Website Strives to Combat Underage Drinking

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut (WSWC) has launched a website developed to discourage underage drinking.  The initiatives comes following the very successful annual video contest for college students on the subject, with winning public service videos being aired on local television stations. The new website is part of the WSWC’s Community Relations Program, developed to advance the prevention and reduction of underage consumption of alcohol and the misuse of alcohol in Connecticut through community education.  Among the points made:

• Kid’s brains aren’t finished developing until their mid-20’s, so young people may not have the judgment or impulse control to make good decisions all the time, especially regarding alcohol use.  Youth who drink are more likely than adults to consume large quantities of alcohol in a sitting.  In fact, it’s not uncommon for young people to drink until blacking out.
• Young minds have an incredible potential to learn, but heavy drinking during the teen years, even just once a month, can permanently damage learning, memory, decision-making and reasoning abilities and can short-circuit the brain “wiring” needed to become a responsible adult.
• Young drinkers also risk putting themselves on the road to addiction – 40% of those who drink before age 15 become alcoholics while only 7% of those who begin drinking at age 21 develop alcohol problems.

Bike to Work Day in Connecticut is May 18

With the theme “It’s Easier Than You Think!” Bike Walk CT is taking the lead to encourage bike commuting on National Bike to Work Day, May 18. Breakfasts for bike commuters will be held in Bethel, Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford, Waterbury, West Hartford, and UConn Health Center (Farmington).  If you're thinking of giving biking to work a try, helpful hints and local cycling organizations are prepared to help. Earlier this spring, a dozen bike racks were installed along Main Street in Hartford, the first of about 287 racks planned to be placed throughout the city.  The current schedule is for completion about the end of July.  This project has been several years in the making and has include the contributions of many individuals and organizations.  New Haven and the Elm City Cyclists have a very well organized Bike to Work program.

CT's "Still Revolutionary" Tourism Backed with $27 Million

Tourism in Connecticut generates about $11.5 billion in spending, $1.15 billion in state and local tax revenue and employs nearly 111,000 workers, according to 2011 statistics.  But for the Malloy Administration, that's not nearly enough.  A new  two-year, $27 million dollar initiative to bolster tourism, to include TV, radio, print, and digital advertising, with the theme "Connecticut: Still Revolutionary" is being launched.  The new logo is already appearing on the state's social media channels. "Still Revolutionary speaks to Connecticut's deep roots in the founding of this country and reminds us that we still have that independent, revolutionary spirit," Malloy said.   "For centuries we have been the home of literary greats, innovators and natural wonders — an incredibly diverse array of products and talent, all right here in Connecticut.  We are a beautiful state, and we are very proud of our history, even as we look toward our future.  It's time we did a better job of telling that story."

Hartford, New Haven Challenging for People with Asthma

The American Asthma and Allergy Foundation marked World Asthma Day by releasing its 2012 Asthma Capital rankings, a list of the 100 “most challenging places to live with asthma” in the United States. Memphis, TN has the distinction of earning the top spot, after being No. 3 last year. Two cities  in New England, unfortunately, made the top ten worst cities in which to live for those with asthma - and none in New England was cited as among the best cities in which to live.

According to the survey, directly behind Memphis is New Haven, which had been ranked at #19 previously. Pollution and pollen are in abundance in New Haven, as is second-hand smoke, according to the report.   The sixth worst city is also in Connecticut.  Hartford’s asthma numbers are growing according to the foundation. Just since last year (2011), Hartford went from number 40 on the list to number 6.

Over 25 million Americans suffer with asthma. Causes are air pollution, second hand smoke, genetics, and pollen (environmental factors).

CT Main Street Initiatives Promote Economic Development

Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) has announced recipients of its 2012 Awards of Excellence.  The winning entries represent initiatives and organizations from Hartford, Middletown, New London, Simsbury, Suffield, Waterbury and Willimantic. The Connecticut Main Street Awards annually celebrate and communicate the most successful and innovative efforts in Main Street revitalization in Connecticut. Submissions were judged on criteria which included innovation, replication, representation and partnerships utilized, and outcome. Since the Connecticut Main Street program began in 1995, Designated Main Street programs have generated over $994 million in public and private reinvestment in their downtowns.  Over the same time, 4,121 net new businesses have opened and 2,475 net new jobs have been created.  For every $1 spent on a local Main Street program, $73.13 has been reinvested in CT Main Street designated downtowns, making the Main Street initiative one of the most successful economic development programs in the country.

Main Street Partnership

• Award of Excellence to Main Street Waterbury & The Republican-American for Celebrating Downtown - a special supplement of the Sunday Republican

Community Investment

• Award of Excellence to Upper Albany Main Street, Hartford Public Library for the Hartford Public Library-Upper Albany Branch
• Site Design by Sevigny Architects

Community Consensus-Building

• Award of Excellence to: Main Street Waterbury, Waterbury Police Department for Downtown Business Watch

Master Planning Main Street

• Award of Excellence to: Town of Simsbury for Simsbury Town Center Code
• Submitted by Simsbury Main Street Partnership

Historic Preservation

• Award of Excellence to: New London Main Street, New London Landmarks, City Center District, City of New London, Greg Wies & Gardner Architects, and Wilbur Smith Associates for The New London Parade Plaza Redesign

Beautification

• Award of Excellence to: Rotary Club of New London for Trolley Visitor Information Station Site Improvements
• Site Design by Kent + Frost
• Project Management by Richard Gipstein
• Submitted by New London Main Street

Adaptive Reuse of a Building - Urban Downtown

• Award of Excellence to: Patrick Schooley, owner for 560 on Main, Downtown Willimantic
• Submitted by Thread City Development Corp.

Adaptive Reuse of a Building - Town Center

• Award of Excellence to: Sage Engineering, Town of Suffield for The Bissell Inn, Suffield
• Submitted by Town of Suffield

Community Spirit Award for Business Retention (Award Sponsored by Webster Bank)

• Award of Excellence to: The Middletown Community for O'Rourke's Fire - A Community with a Cause: The community commitment to rebuild O'Rourke's Diner
• Submitted by Middletown Downtown Business District

Main Street Business Owner of the Year

• Award of Excellence to: Andrew Gutt, Cafémantic in Downtown Willimantic
• Submitted by Thread City Development Corp.

Main Street Pioneer - Business Owner Lifetime Achievement Award

• Award of Excellence to: David Wollner, Willimantic Brewing Company
• Submitted by Thread City Development Corp.

Main Street Property Owner of the Year 

• Award of Excellence to: Michael DiPiro & Michael Sokolowski, 505 Main Street: Collapse & Rebuilding on Main Street Middletown
• Submitted by Middletown Downtown Business District

Image Enhancement

• Award of Excellence to: New London Main Street for "The Big Picture"

Hartford in Nation's Top 20 Manufacturing Centers, Led by Aerospace

The Worcester area has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in New England, according to a report released by The Brookings Institution.  The report, "Locating American Manufacturing: Trends in the Geography of Production," ranked the Worcester area 15th in 2010 among the nation's metropolitan areas for percentage of manufacturing jobs as part of the region's employment mix, with 10.9 percent. Worcester was the highest-ranked New England metro area, ahead of Hartford, Conn., which ranked 19th nationally (10.5 percent).  The top three manufacturing industries in Hartford, according to the Brookings report, are aerospace, fabricated metals, and machinery. Metro Hartford lost about 23 percent of its manufacturing jobs from 2000 to 2010, but that erosion was slower than losses in the South, Midwest and in the nation as a whole, where 33 to 34 percent of the jobs evaporated.  The Brookings Institution analyzed manufacturing employment in the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas — including all jobs at manufacturing companies, not just production jobs.

Brookings noted that Fairfield headquartered General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt recently stated: [T]oday at GE we are outsourcing less and producing more in the U.S. . . . When we are deciding where to manufacture, we ask, ‘Will our people and technology in the U.S. provide us with a competitive advantage?’ Increasingly, the answer is yes.