Connecticut
Group Gives $13 Million For Math, Science Education
The National Math and Science Initiative, a nonprofit education organization backed by Exxon Mobil Corp.,  has awarded a six-year, $13.2 million grant for math and science education to the state of Connecticut and the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Education Foundation. CBIA is expected to administer the grant, which establishes teacher training and financial incentives for students participating in advanced placement math and science courses.
Source: Mass High Tech

Massachusetts
Lawmaker Holds Up Life Sciences Incentive Bill
A plea for swift action on Beacon Hill on a proposed $1 billion incentive package to bolster job growth in the life sciences industry is being spurned by a top state House lawmaker. State Rep. Daniel Bosley (D), chairman of the Economic Development Committee [should be capitalized if it's the proper name], said he won't be rushed despite pleas from life sciences companies that Gov. Deval Patrick's (D) proposed package of tax breaks, credits, and grants be passed in the next few months.
Source: The Boston Herald

Alabama
State Training Program Maintains High Ranking
Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) continues its run as one of the nation's highest-ranked workforce training programs, according to a recent survey of site selection experts by Expansion Management magazine. Alabama's agency ranked second behind Georgia in the annual survey. Among all U.S. training programs, AIDT ranked No. 1 in 2004 and 2006 and No. 2 in the 2005 and 2007 surveys.
Source: The Mobile Press Register

Arkansas
State Insurance Program Gets Federal Funding
An insurance program offered to low-income workers has secured federal funding by meeting its target number of participants, a state human services official said. The ARHealthNet program had enrolled 1,550 subsidized participants at last count. Under an agreement with the federal government, the state had to reach 75 percent of its projected enrollment of 1,500 subsidized participants by the end of September or the federal government could reduce its level of support.
Source: Arkansas News Bureau

Iowa
CEOs Say Business Outlook Good
The leaders of Iowa's biggest businesses have a generally rosy outlook for the state's economy over the next six months. The Iowa Business Council (IBC), which represents 20 of Iowa's largest companies, has released its quarterly Economic Outlook Survey. Ninety percent of the IBC member companies say they plan to maintain or increase hiring, while 10% expect to decrease their workforce.
Source: RadioIowa

Wyoming
Young Workers Still Leaving State
Despite the recent economic boom, young workers are no more likely to remain in Wyoming than they were a decade ago, according to state officials. An analysis by the Research and Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Employment tracked workers age 16 to 34 from 1992 to 1997 to see how many were still working in the state at the end of that time. The number dropped from 112,318 in 1992 to 68,065 in 1997, declining at an average annual rate of 7.9%.
Source: The Casper Star-Tribune

Hawaii
Ferry Shutdown Could Stall New Business
The abrupt shutdown of the Hawaii Superferry by the courts and protesters over environmental concerns could impact an already strained business environment, business experts say. Local and mainland venture capitalists, as well as state officials, say the last-minute snafu on a $300 million project that was six years in the making is sending a negative message to the nation about Hawaii's ability to embrace new business. The Superferry ran for two days between the islands of Maui and Kauai before being temporarily shut down pending an environmental assessment.
Source: The Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Idaho
Local Chamber Head Calls for Sales Tax Increase to Pay for Infrastructure
Former Utah state senator and Salt Lake Chamber President and CEO Lane Beattie asked a state Senate transportation task force to consider allowing communities to increase local sales taxes to pay for public transportation projects. Testifying at the task force's first hearing, Beattie warned that road congestion and resulting poor air quality are bad for business.
Source: The Idaho Statesman