By Luther Turmelle, North Bureau Chief
lturmelle@nhregister.com / Twitter: @lutherturmelle

State’s economy draws mixed views​

There was mixed news Thursday for Connecticut’s economy, with one report projecting thousands of new construction jobs being created over the next five years, contrasted with the sobering findings of the latest survey from the state’s largest business group.

A new report from Capital Workforce Partners is projecting that up to 30,000 new construction jobs will be created in the Hartford area over the next five years. The report identifies projects worth nearly $5 billion slated during that period, with the bulk of work expected in Hartford, East Hartford, New Britain, Bristol, Canton and Simsbury.

“This new report is good news for the construction and trades industries, and it’s good news for our state’s economy,” said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

But the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s 2011 Survey of Businesses found that while hiring and profits are up, concerns about the state’s competitiveness are growing.

The survey found that although businesses saw steady growth in the first three months of this year, those gains have been significantly eroded since early July. Just 27 percent of the businesses surveyed rated current conditions as excellent or good.

“It is crucial that policy makers now forge a better relationship with the state’s business community and advance policies that inspire business confidence, strengthen our economic base, and attract new investment,” said John Rathgeber, CBIA’s president and chief executive officer. “We’re very pleased and encouraged that the governor is calling lawmakers into session to address the creation and retention of jobs in Connecticut.”

The Capital Workforce Partners report focuses on Hartford and surrounding communities. State Labor Commissioner Glenn Marshall said other regions in the state may also have a growing number of construction projects lined up.

To ensure that those construction projects have adequate levels of Connecticut workers to hire, Marshall said the state has invested $425,000 in its “Jobs Funnels” programs, which offer pre-employment preparation, skills training that focuses on specific work skills for in-demand professions and trade-related certifications.

A portion of the $5.8 million federal grant awarded in June from the U.S. Department of Labor for the creation of green jobs will also be dedicated to supporting the programs. Continued...

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“Construction, along with advanced manufacturing and high tech medical research, are industries that offer excellent growth potential in our state, and we must be ready to fill these jobs with qualified workers,” Marshall said.

Call Luther Turmelle at 203-789-5706 or follow him on Twitter @LutherTurmelle. To receive breaking news first, simply text the word nhnews to 22700. Standard message + data rates apply.

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