Nancy Wyman Addresses EDC Business Breakfast

The Economic Development Commission held a business breakfast at the Wednesday morning, offering guests an opportunity to gather, network and hear from Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman. Members of the Town Council, the Farmington town manager and Rep. Bill Wadsworth were also there to listen to the concerns of business community.

Wyman was hopeful and positive in addressing the group of more than 100 local businesspeople, giving an overview of her time in office and the accomplishments of the administration.

While the administration began work on small business development, then moved on to education reform, Wyman said the intent is now to focus in on early childhood education, a proven determinant of later academic success. Developing the state’s technical schools is another priority, Wyman said, because on tours of manufacturing facilities, business owners are still reporting a shortage of skilled workers.

But the administration isn’t just going to throw money at the state’s problems, Wyman said. On the contrary, the governor is focused on fiscal accountability and following up funding to schools and businesses with oversight.

Wyman highlighted new jobs coming to Farmignton as a result of the UConn Health Center expansion and Jackson Laboratories, then took a variety of questions on topics ranging from the busway to Project Open Choice.

Open Choice, the subject of several inquiries at recent town meetings, is, in all respects a positive program for the state’s students, Wyman said, though she acknowledged that reimbursement to participating municipalities is a problem.

“Farmington has been wonderful,” she said. “You are one of a few towns still doing what we wanted years ago. We know Farmington schools are good. You should be proud of them… we realize we can’t keep putting the burden on you to do more if we don’t help you out.”

She mentioned the task force that is currently studying the education cost sharing formula, which determines how much each town receives in state funding.

The Economic Development Commission Business Breakfasts are sponsored by .