"The Waterbury Connecticut Republican American... -
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Published on: 2/7/2006
Last Visited: 2/8/2006
For the past year and a half, there have been discussions on how to "clarify" and "simplify" the message that goes out to the business community from the various state and quasi-state agencies, said David A. Willis, spokesman for the Connecticut Development Authority, which gives loans to businesses in hopes of creating more jobs.
"There is some overlap of functions and an overlap of audiences, so when we speak to a segment of businesses we can create a real cacophony," Willis said."This can be a source of irritation and it impedes business."
Noting there may be "legal issues" in restructuring the agencies, Willis said it is not clear how staffing at the agencies would be affected."The state agencies have unionized employees and have protection," he said.
As for employees at quasi-state agencies such as Connecticut Innovations, he said they are "at will" employees."Anytime there is an announcement of a consolidation, there is speculation as to how the changes could impact the employees," Willis said.
There was also speculation over who might be appointed economic development director.It might be someone heading the current agencies, or a successful businessman, or else someone who had done well in economic development in another state, he said.