States Ratchet Up the Lures To Recruit Companies

This summer Kenneth Siegel, chief administrative officer of hotelier Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., received an unexpected phone call in his White Plains, N.Y., office.

It was Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell calling Mr. Siegel to urge Starwood to relocate the company’s headquarters, and the 800 largely executive-level jobs, to Connecticut.

"She told us that her development authority would be at our disposal and would be making a proposal to us in a few days," Mr. Siegel said. Starwood owns several hotel brands, including the Sheraton, the Westin and W Hotels.

By CHRISTINA S.N. LEWIS

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