COVER STORY

34 Stormy Weather: Economic Outlook 2008 With more and more economists beginning to utter the dreaded “R” word, state governments, companies and consumers are preparing to batten down the hatches to minimize the effects of a predicted recession. Can Connecticut steer a straight course to safety? Plus, Connecticut’s legislators and key business leaders weigh in on what the current legislative session will mean for Connecticut businesses. By Carol Latter

FEATURE STORIES
47 CERC Report: Benchmarking Connecticut 2007 The third annual edition of a report by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center looks at the structural change and competitive issues that have been reshaping the economic landscape, and sheds some light on where our state might be headed in terms of technological innovation and growth.

DEPARTMENTS
10 A Moment in Time Inspirational thought of the month.	10 News Round-Up A summary of key business news from around the state.
14 Moving Up Appointments and promotions.	18 Kudos Recognition and awards.
20 Scene Photographs of business happenings.	21 Chamber Roundup Appointments, events, and Hartford and Greater New Haven roundups.
79 Save the Date Connecticut’s business events calendar.

COLUMNS
28 Small Business Maria Kaiser, a Manchester-based consultant, has made it her goal to help small businesses not only survive, but succeed beyond their wildest expectations. By Carol Latter	32 Philanthropy When the owners of Hartford’s Residence Inn by Marriott learned of a new initiative to end homelessness in the region, they recognized their planned hotel renovation as a serendipitous opportunity to help. By Carol Latter
61 Energy Thanks to the implementation of Energy Improvement Districts, businesses in two Connecticut cities will benefit from lower electric bills, improved reliability and local control. By Jim H. Smith	80 Bottom Line Taking your message to the media can help boost your company’s visibility and revenue in 2008. By Claudio O. Pannunzio

REAL ESTATE
64 Green Healing The largest single construction project in New Haven’s history will be one of just 39 comprehensive cancer hospitals in the country and, fittingly enough, environmentally benign as well. By Carol Latter	68 A Move to Green A move from an historic Victorian to a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facility will open new doors for a Middletown orthopedic practice and its patients. By Carol Latter
70 CRE News The latest developments on the commercial real estate landscape.	74 Location, Location, Location The Connecticut Economic Resource Center’s listing of commercial properties, statewide.

EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE
76 Driven Nobody needs the Lexus LX 570, but plenty will crave the new luxury SUV. By Keith Griffin