Electric Boat issued an upbeat forecast for hiring for 2015, and the sub maker said it will be investing millions in shipyard upgrades in the next few years.
President of EB Jeffrey Geiger told a briefing that the company will look to hire 600 people, both to replace retiring workers, and to meet new work ahead. But he said he anticipates a challenge in finding workers with the right skills to meet the rapid expansion.
Geiger also called on the state’s congressional delegation to support robust federal budgets, and fight against the threat of sequestration in the next fiscal year.
UTC Loses a Top Executive
United Technologies has eliminated the job of one of its top executives. Alain Bellemare will leave his post as the Hartford conglomerate’s chief executive of Propulsion & Aerospace Systems. That’s the division that’s in charge of Pratt & Whitney and UTC Aerospace Systems.
UTC’s CEO Greg Hayes said Bellemare won’t be replaced, which means Hayes himself will take a greater role in the management of the individual business units. He told investors the change is in service of streamlining the organization and focusing on a successful ramp up of the company’s Geared Turbofan engine.
Back9Network Misses Payroll
The website Golf News Net reported that Back9Network, the controversial golf-oriented channel based in Hartford, has missed payroll this month. The report said non-hourly employees have now been told they'll be paid today, a week behind schedule. The news raised questions about Back9's financial circumstances. The channel, which launched on DirecTV last September, received startup funding from the state of Connecticut.
Mohegan Sun Sees a Hike in Slots Revenue
December brought a little good cheer for Mohegan Sun. The casino recorded a hike in slots revenue in the month -- the only time that happened in all of 2014. Revenue was up 6.8 percent from the same month in 2013.
Foxwoods, by contrast, stayed consistent with its recent downward trend. Its revenue from slots declined by 3.7 percent.
