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Shiloh MLK walk today 1-15-2026

 Connecticut’s Investment Advisory Council (IAC) convened its first meeting of 2026 this afternoon at the State Office Building in Hartford, where Treasurer Erick Russell announced up to $1.575 billion in new investment commitments.

The commitments span the private real estate, infrastructure and natural resources, private equity, and private credit portfolios of the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds (CRPTF), which include the pension funds for retired teachers and state workers.

“Following strong investment performance across the CRPTF portfolio in 2025, we are committed to building on that momentum in 2026,” said Treasurer Russell. “These new commitments reinforce our long-term investment strategy and disciplined approach to asset allocation—an approach that benefits not only retired teachers and state workers, but all Connecticut taxpayers and residents.”

• In private real estate, Treasurer Russell committed up to $250 million to the CRPTF-GCM Emerging Managers Partnership L.P.—2026-2 RE Investment Series.

• In infrastructure, he plans to commit up to $200 million to iSquared Global Infrastructure Fund IV, L.P. and up to $150 million to iSquared Growth Markets Infrastructure Fund II, L.P.

• In private equity, the Treasurer committed up to $425 million to CRPTF-GCM Emerging Manager Partnership L.P.—2026-1 PE Investment Series.

• In private credit, he committed up to $100 million to Eagle Point Defensive Income Fund III US L.P., up to $150 million to Eagle Point CRPTF DIF Co-Investment LP, and up to $300 million to CRPTF-RockCreek Emerging Manager Partnership, L.P.—Series II.

These commitments followed feedback provided by the IAC at their November meeting.

Three potential investments in private equity were reviewed during the meeting: Bregal Sagemount V-B, L.P., Dover Street XII L.P., and the related Secondary Overflow Fund VI L.P.

The meeting also covered a strategic review of the liquidity fund, an asset allocation review with an accompanying timeline, and pacing plan overviews for private asset classes.

The IAC shares responsibility for Connecticut’s investment strategy and performance. Its members are appointed by unions representing teachers and state workers, legislative leaders, and the Governor. The IAC plays a key role in setting the pension funds’ investment policy and asset allocation, and in the hiring of key investment personnel. All IAC meetings are open to the public. Meeting materials, including past agendas and investment presentations, are available on the Office of the Treasurer’s website: Investment Advisory Council.

About the Office of the Treasurer

The Office of the Treasurer is charged with safeguarding Connecticut’s financial resources through prudent cash and debt management, with the State Treasurer serving as principal fiduciary for six state pension and twelve state trust funds. Additionally, the Office enhances the state’s fiscal stability through programs promoting financial literacy and college savings, and it leverages business partnerships to support the advancement of Connecticut’s social and policy priorities. The Office is led by State Treasurer Erick Russell, the first Black out LGBTQ person to win an election for statewide office in American history. Visit: Connecticut Office of the Treasurer Erick Russell.

Governor Ned Lamont today released the following statement regarding the announcement from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that the Trump administration is cancelling billions of dollars in nationwide Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants, which provide resources for overdose prevention, addition recovery, and mental health services:

“The Trump administration’s recent decision to arbitrarily cut funding for mental health and substance use programs across Connecticut and the nation threatens essential services that countless Americans depend on. Halting previously promised funding creates unnecessary anxiety and jeopardizes care for some of our most vulnerable residents, especially those seeking help. As we evaluate the full impact, we demand the federal government reverse course on these dire cuts and ensure those seeking critical resources have access to them.”

CTcollab.com Introduces the Connecticut Content Creator Collaborative, a Platform Designed To Strengthen Partnerships Across the Creator Economy

Governor Ned Lamont today announced the launch of C4 – the Connecticut Content Creator Collaborative, a new digital platform designed to connect businesses, organizations, and agencies with content creators and influencers who authentically represent Connecticut.

Now live at www.ctcollab.com, C4 serves as a centralized, searchable database where content creators can list their profiles at no cost, and where businesses can easily discover, filter, and connect with creators based on industry focus, geography, audience demographics, and content specialty – from lifestyle and culinary to travel, culture, family, and entrepreneurship.

“Connecticut’s story is being told every day by people who live here, work here, and love this place,” Governor Lamont said. “C4 is about recognizing that power and giving it structure. This platform helps our businesses connect with authentic storytellers who can grow their bottom line through authentic marketing and helps our creators turn passion into opportunity. It’s a modern economic development tool rooted in creativity, community, and connection.”

The launch of C4 coincides with Content MADE, the latest installment of Connecticut’s MADE Leadership Series, taking place today at the New Britain Museum of American Art with Governor Ned Lamont, Chief Marketing Officer Anthony Anthony, creators, and business partners in attendance.

“Creators are no longer a side channel — they are a primary way people discover places, brands, and experiences,” Anthony said. “C4 gives Connecticut a home base for that energy. It’s a smart, practical tool that helps businesses find the right voices, and helps creators build real, professional partnerships that are aligned, transparent, and impactful. Connecticut has an incredible creator community, and for too long there hasn’t been a clear front door for collaboration. C4 changes that. It makes our creator economy easier to navigate, easier to access, and easier to grow.”

The platform is designed not only for Connecticut-based creators, but also for regional voices who regularly tell Connecticut stories, reflecting how audiences actually consume content today.

C4 listings currently include some of the state’s most influential and trusted voices across food, travel, lifestyle, family, and culture – including Connecticut Bucket List, Reheated Coffee Club, Alexa Curtis, CTBites, The Connecticut Life, Alex P. Taylor, JimyOfficial, Michell C. Clark, Mommy Poppins Connecticut, Taste Connecticut, Angela Angulo, The New England Couple, and justPerezPlay, with new creators joining daily.

Users can explore creators by:

• Content category (culinary, lifestyle, travel, family, culture, business)
• Geographic focus
• Audience demographics
• Platform reach and specialties

For creators, C4 offers visibility, credibility, and access to new opportunities. For businesses, it provides a trusted, efficient way to find partners who can bring their stories to life.

“C4 isn’t about chasing trends, it’s about building relationships,” Anthony said. “When the right creator and the right organization find each other, that’s when real storytelling happens, and that’s when Connecticut wins.”

C4 is free for creators to join and open now for businesses seeking collaboration partners.

To explore the platform or list as a creator, visit www.ctcollab.com.

Anyone in Need of Shelter is Urged to Visit 211ct.org or Call 2-1-1 For a List of Locations

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is activating Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, and remaining in effect until noon on Friday, January 16, 2026, due to a blast of cold air that will impact the state during this period, including overnight temperatures that are expected to fall into the low to mid-teens with wind chills ranging between zero and ten degrees.

The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the severe cold, which could be life threatening if exposed to the elements for extended periods of time. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies and municipalities to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to make sure that anyone in need can receive shelter from the outdoors, including transportation to shelters.

Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.

“As another blast of cold air moves into the state Thursday night, we’re activating this protocol to ensure that shelters and warming centers are available for anyone who needs it,” Governor Lamont said.

The following actions are implemented while the protocol is enacted:

• The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security uses its WebEOC communications network, which is an internet-based system that enables local, regional, and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions. The system is used to monitor capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to assist in finding shelter space for those who need it. Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.
• The Connecticut Department of Social Services, Connecticut Department of Housing, and Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.

For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares.