In brief

The ORS-1 satellite is launched June 29, carrying surveillance systems made in Danbury by Goodrich Corp. Credit: NASA

UTC reaches $18.4B deal to acquire Goodrich 

United Technologies Corp. reached an $18.4 billion agreement to acquire aerospace and defense industry supplier Goodrich Corp., its biggest acquisition ever.

Hartford-based UTC said Goodrich”™s results would push its total revenue this year to $66 billion. In addition, Goodrich brings 27,000 employees to UTC, including some 500 at an optics and sensor plant in Danbury.

Goodrich”™s myriad products include systems to warn military aircraft of missile attacks, which are used on helicopters manufactured by UTC subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford.

UTC said it would create a new UTC Aerospace Systems business unit to be based in Charlotte, N.C., where Goodrich has its headquarters, with implications for UTC”™s Farmington-based subsidiary Hamilton Sundstrand, which makes avionics and other high-tech systems. UTC also owns the aircraft-engine maker Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford.

 

Sikorsky Aircraft is selling six Seahawk helicopters to Qatar.

Sikorsky gets $750M contract for Seahawks

In a contract valued at $750 million, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. will build six Seahawk helicopters for the government of Qatar, equipped with engines from General Electric Co.

The deal is subject to Pentagon approval.

Separately, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said job cuts revealed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. last week will total 420 positions at its Stratford headquarters and nearby facilities. Sikorsky blamed expected military budget cuts for the job reductions, even as it showed off its X-2 high-speed helicopter prototype last month in Hartford that it hopes will boost military sales for decades to come.

 

Biotech takes space in Shelton

NanoViricides Inc. is establishing a Shelton facility for manufacturing and lab work on drug candidates it has in the pipeline.

Through an affiliate, West Haven-based NanoViricides bought an 18,000-square-foot industrial building on some 4 acres off Route 8 in Shelton.

NanoViricide is readying an influenza drug candidate for clinical trials, planning in time also to address other viruses such as swine flu, herpes, rabies and hepatitis C.

 

McMahon back in the ring

Two years after a bruising campaign against U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal for the seat vacated by Chris Dodd, Linda McMahon formally announced her bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat of Sen. Joe Lieberman, who is not seeking re-election.

The former CEO of Stamford-based World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. opened a headquarters office in North Haven and plunged into the campaign in Norwalk, visiting All American Custom Pools & Spas Inc. and James B. Murphy & Associates.

 

Connecticut has the 31st highest sales taxes in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation.

Study: State”™s sales tax still competitive

Connecticut ranked 31st on an updated study of the highest sales taxes in the nation, with New York ranked eighth.

It was the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation”™s first ranking of Connecticut”™s sales tax since the state hiked it to 6.35 percent. Among neighboring states, New York had an estimated 8.5 percent sales tax rate including varying local sales taxes, New Jersey had a 7 percent rate and Massachusetts had a 6.25 percent sales tax.

 

Report: Zoning change uncorks new wine bar in Westport

LUXE Modern Wine & Cocktails reportedly is opening in November at the former site of Faye Kim Designs at 190 Main St. in Westport, offering wines, cocktails, cheese and other delicacies.

The Westport News reported the store totals 1,000 square feet and is owned by Redding residents Rob and Renee Reilly, who told the newspaper they made the decision to open the facility following zoning changes in Westport that allow for bars to be situated close together. LUXE plans to establish outdoor seating next year.

Separately, Casual Male Retail Group Inc. opened a DestinationXL clothing store in Westport at 1505 Post Road E., selling men”™s big and tall apparel. The Canton, Mass.-based company also operates Casual Male XL, which has a Danbury store.

 

Developer lacing up deal in Norwalk

A hockey company reportedly wants approval to convert an industrial building in Norwalk into an ice rink.

According to the Norwalk Hour, SoNo Icehouse L.L.C. wants to convert the former Nash Engineering Co. building at 300 Wilson Ave. into a hockey facility with an NHL-sized rink. The building is owned by Clayton Fowler and Kevin Conroy.

Norwalk reportedly has not had a rink since the closure of the Crystal Rink several decades ago.