East Hartford company tapped to receive state aid

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An East Hartford home health benefits management firm became the latest company on Thursday to receive assistance under Connecticut's "First Five" economic development initiative.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced CareCentrix will receive $24 million in state grants over five years if it complies with keeping the firm's existing 213 employees and adding 290 more positions by 2017.

"Health care and its supporting industries have been a solid driver of our economy for more than a decade, accounting for a rising share of private sector jobs today," Malloy said. "CareCentrix recognizes this fact."

Malloy's office said CareCentrix has outgrown its space in East Hartford and plans to invest millions into a corporate headquarters on Church Street in Hartford. The total project is expected to cost $86 million and CareCentrix plans to move in by the end of the year.

Eric Reimer, the CEO of CareCentrix, said the company considered other locations but decided to stay in Connecticut because of the workforce, quality of life and the state's leadership.

The jobs will range from executive level positions to call center staff.

CareCentrix coordinates home health care, including skilling nursing care and home medical equipment. The company recently expanded to home-based sleep disorder treatments. It was originally founded in 1996 as a part of Gentiva Health Services and became an independent company in 2008.

CareCentrix works with a network of 7,000 homecare providers, serving more than 30 million people.

CareCentrix is the fifth company to receive aid under the First Five program. The General Assembly authorized the administration to expand the program and offer assistance to more firms interested in moving to Connecticut or expanding in the state.