What Jackson Lab Means for Connecticut

What does the state’s newly signed agreement with Maine-based research giant The Jackson Laboratory really mean for Connecticut?
CBIA president and CEO John Rathgeber broke down the deal in Sunday’s Hartford Courant, noting that while bringing Jackson Lab to Connecticut is a shot in the arm for the state’s economic development efforts, more will be needed.
“To compete successfully, to fully maximize job growth and economic benefits, Connecticut needs more than the Jackson Lab agreement,” he wrote. “That deal will bring additional people and technology to the state at the scale needed to build a portfolio of successful initiatives. However, can the state fully leverage those assets?
“North Carolina and other strong clusters succeed, in large part, because they have highly competitive business climates. And make no mistake, without the appropriate political support, there is no investment.”
Rathgeber noted that North Carolina ranked third overall in CNBC’s 2011 list of America’s Top States for Business. Connecticut was 39th.
“Connecticut’s agreement with Jackson Lab presents a great opportunity to re-energize our bioscience sector,” he wrote.
“But to fully capitalize on that deal, policymakers and regulators must be sensitive to the needs of businesses and vigilant in creating and maintaining a competitive business climate.”