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June 2011
Capitol address
Legislative Office Building
Room 2300
Hartford, CT 06106-1591
E-mail me
On the Web
www.SenatorMaynard.cga.ct.gov
Phone
Capitol: 860-240-0591
Toll-free: 1-800-842-1420
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The Top 13 Occupations in Southeastern Connecticut
What do computer software engineers, data communications analysts and home health aides have in common? According to the Connecticut Department of Labor, they’re some of the hottest jobs in the state. The department has a list of occupations that it considers to have the most growth potential over the next few years and it’s a great resource for anyone considering a career move—or someone who’s just curious about trends in the economy. Click here to access the data and search by region or occupation. There’s even a section where you can see the top 13 occupations in Southeastern Connecticut!
Establishing the Connecticut
Brewery Trail
 The effort to establish the Connecticut Brewery trail, a network of our state’s five production breweries and 11 brewpubs designed to boost interest in a growing local industry and modeled after the successful Connecticut Wine Trail, took a step toward fruition this month. The state Senate approved legislation to create the trail, which would allow for the placing of signage designating the trail and identifying area breweries and pubs.
While it’s easy to laugh at something as simplistic as the Brewery Trail, the potential for economic development of a home-grown industry is great. Our local breweries are creating more jobs and increasing their market presence every year—something we have the ability to enhance and support with this simple measure.
For more information on the Brewery Trail and Connecticut’s craft beer industry, check out the grassroots Web effort at www.ctbeertrail.net.
Expanding Our
“Angel Investors” Program
 Angel investors are typically wealthy individuals willing to invest in a company at its earliest stages in exchange for a stake in the business. Considered one of the oldest sources of start-up capital for entrepreneurs, Connecticut has worked over the last few years to encourage angel investment in the state by offering them personal income tax credits that incentivize their investment in a technology-based business that meets some specific criteria.
This year, I’ve been working to lower the thresholds on the tax credit in order to encourage more angel investors to take on the sometimes risky venture. Under this legislation, the minimum investment needed to qualify for the credit would go from $100,000 to $25,000.
Connecticut’s angel investment program has proven itself highly successful; however, some have cautioned that the high threshold may keep some investors from taking a chance on a company. I believe that angel investors will play an important role in getting businesses off the ground in our state in order to create jobs and encourage economic growth.
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