Recently, Governor Rowland unveiled the new economic development marketing initiatives that included the creation of a new Office of Bioscience, which will be devoted exclusively to providing business development assistance to bioscience firms. In addition to the new staff named to the Office of Bioscience, Harry H. Penner Jr., former president and chief executive officer of Branford, CT.-based Neurogen Corp., will be serving as an advisor for the new department. Penner, who will be working on a part-time basis, is currently vice chairman of the Board of Governors of Higher Education and the chairman of Rib-X Pharmaceuticals of New Haven.

State officials relate that the high technology and bioscience sectors have both exhibited strong growth in the state. In fact, information technology is the fastest growing sector in Connecticut, while bioscience and research development has grown to more than $3 billion in expenditures each year in the state.

"As the firms that are already here will tell you, Connecticut is a remarkable location for bioscience and information technology companies," Governor Rowland says. "We have educated and innovative workers, venture capital, a business-friendly government and a strategic location centered between Boston and New York. It's time to get the word out to the rest of the companies in these industries that we are competing on a global level and that they should look very closely at Connecticut for their next relocation or expansion."