Robert Cascella
Bethel-based Coldwell Banker Commercial-Scalzo Group recently announced that the group’s senior vice president has been appointed to serve on a committee in Ridgefield.
Robert Cascella has been named by Ridgefield’s Board of Selectmen to serve on the newly created Ridgefield Economic Development Commission. The five-member commission will work to retain existing business and industry in the town and actively seek and promote planned economic development with a strong focus of preserving the charm and character of Ridgefield. The commissioner members also will report on economic trends in the community and act as a liaison to private groups regarding economic development opportunities in Ridgefield.
Cascella is a licensed real estate broker in Connecticut and New York, a former chairman of the Housatonic Valley Economic Development Partnership, a former first selectman of Newtown and a member of the Scalzo Group Project Restoration Executive Board.
Coldwell Banker Commercial is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corp. The company has independently owned and operated affiliate real estate offices in more than 325 markets throughout the world and is an industry leader in providing commercial real estate solutions and the management of commercial real estate property. Coldwell Banker Commercial Scalzo Group is part of the Scalzo Group Real Estate Services companies.
GE Leads on $30M Loan
Norwalk-based GE Commercial Finance-Corporate Lending recently served as lead lender in a $30 million credit facility for MarketFare Foods, a leading manufacturer of quality-branded, proprietary and co-pack sandwiches, wraps, burritos, sauces and specialty foods.
Proceeds will be used for refinancing current debt, working capital management and general corporate purposes. GE Capital Markets served as lead arranger in the transaction.
The credit facility consisted of a $10 million revolver and a $20 million second-lien loan.
“GE Corporate Lending demonstrated a strong understanding of our business, our industry and MarketFare Food’s capital structure needs,” said Al Carfora, president and chief executive officer of MarketFare Foods. “By providing the financial solution that was tailored to our needs, GE is helping us to continue to grow in our market.”
“GE has been a longtime lender in the food industry, having more than $5.2 billion currently invested,” added Dennis Krause, GE’s food, beverage and agriculture industry leader for corporate lending. “We are enthusiastic about MarketFare’s growth potential and that our industry expertise is playing a role in the company’s future.”
GE Corporate Lending uses an industry-based approach to help its customers grow through better-tailored solutions for the unique requirements of each individual consumer. A team of industry leaders, supported by dedicated research analysts, partners closely with GE Corporate Lending’s regional sales force to build customized solutions for many key industries.
CBIA Fellowships Planned
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association recently announced a research fellowship program with Central Connecticut State University’s Biotechnology Institute.
The fellowships will provide 11 CCSU students the opportunity to conduct on-campus research projects and learn the skills necessary for successful careers in the bioscience or biotechnical fields.
The 11 students chosen for the fellowships and their majors are: Daniel DeCesaris of Glastonbury, junior, biomolecular sciences; Daniel Mori of Glastonbury, junior, biochemistry; David Magnan of Newington, junior, biomolecular sciences; Francisco Ramirez of New Britain, junior, biomolecular sciences; Jason Bannock of Windsor, graduate student, biomolecular sciences; Jeff Damiano of Thomaston, graduate student, biomolecular sciences; Richard Haughton of Hartford, graduate student, biomolecular sciences; Sheila Chery of Maplewood, N.J., junior, biomolecular sciences; Shannon Soucy of Bristol, junior, biomolecular sciences; Thomas Pagliarulli of Newington, graduate student, biomolecular sciences; and Yekaterina Shishkina of Marlborough, junior, biomolecular sciences.
The students were chosen for their academic abilities and their interest in pursuing a career involving laboratory research. They will receive financial support to participate in on-campus research projects at CCSU’s Department of Biomolecular Sciences during the 2006-07 academic year.
The students will present their research findings at one of CCSU’s biotechnology forums, which are held twice a year. The forums allow students to present their independent research study to faculty, students and representatives from area biotechnology companies.
The fellowship program is made possible through a U.S. Department of Labor H-1B grant administered by CBIA.
CBIA is the state’s largest business organization, with 10,000 members.
