Erica E. Phillips / CT Mirror

The Department of Economic and Community Development has launched a $150 million lending program targeting small businesses and nonprofits in low-income and historically underserved communities as persistent stress of COVID-19 and new concerns of recession weigh on their minds.Starting Monday, businesses and nonprofits can apply online for low-interest loans through the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund website. Administrators will evaluate applications and match business owners with lenders and community development financial institutions to provide funding and technical support. The state will provide half the funding, $75 million; the other half will come from private partners, including Citizens Bank, M&T Bank and First Republic Bank.

New alternative ranking system weighs graduate salaries and access in calculating ‘economic mobility’ for students.

As new state funding comes online, a survey of 200 providers finds that staffing shortages closed classrooms and reduced enrollment.

Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including last month’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson that eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, have curtailed federal authority on issues from women’s health to environmental protection and vaccine requirements. State policies on those and other issues could soon vary widely around the country, turning “social capital issues” into bargaining chips for each state in their attempts to woo businesses and create economic opportunities for their residents.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade last week ended the constitutional right to abortion, handing the regulation of reproductive rights to the states. In Connecticut, which has some of the nation’s strongest abortion protections — and a former businessman at the helm — those rights have quickly become a recruiting tool.

Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman called on state lawmakers Thursday to considering capping or reducing Connecticut’s tax incentives for film, television and digital media production — programs that have drawn criticism for years from advocates who say the money would be better spent elsewhere.

The Office of Health Strategy is seeking assurances Covenant Health won’t limit services, including reproductive health.

Connecticut legalized adult-use cannabis last year, but it’s still unclear when recreational marijuana will be available to buy without a prescription.