Approval for an amendment to make the Minority Business Development Agency permanent, more benefits offered by restaurants, a Connecticut county reaches high risk for COVID-19 transmission, and a challenge to a recent permit approval for development at a Connecticut port are among the top business news items this morning.
National
The U.S. Senate has approved an amendment to the bipartisan infrastructure bill to make the Minority Business Development Agency permanent. The proposal, which was first advanced in the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, would expand the MBDA’s reach through initiatives such as the establishment of regional offices.
Business trends
Restaurants desperate for workers have started offering more benefits in addition to higher wages, including paid vacation time, health insurance, and matching 401(k)s. However, the incentives are not yet having a significant effect as factors such as child care needs and concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant continue to hinder hiring.
Connecticut
The Centers for Disease Control has designated New Haven County as having a high risk for the transmission of COVID-19, the first county to be upgraded from the substantial risk category. High transmission counties, the most severe risk category, have 100 or more cases per 100,000 people or a daily test positivity rate of 10 percent or higher.
A former tenant at State Pier in New London is vowing to appeal a recent permit awarded to Orsted and Eversource, who are planning to overhaul the port facility to support offshore wind operations. DRVN Enterprises, a road salt company displaced by the partners’ plans, is seeking a stay on the permit during his challenge to the development.
