Jobs For Connecticut Now

Last week, The Hartford Courant business staff wrote a “wrap-up” on the year in Connecticut business. 2011: A year of Slow Progress in CT Business wasn’t just about slightly discouraging stories of reaching low-set goals in our current recession, however.  While at times, the outlook seemed bleak for the state, there has been some progress and growth for Connecticut’s businesses and its economy.

The Courant piece highlighted Connecticut’s “Top 10 Business Stories of the Year,” and one of the most compelling sections was the employment rate growth due to the “First Five” program. The program offers low-interest loans and grants to companies that commit to adding jobs in Connecticut. Four companies including Cigna, TicketNetwork, ESPN and NBC Sports Group swore to add hundreds of jobs each in 2011 in the state with accordance to Gov. Malloy’s program. With incentives to stay local and create jobs for large corporations, it seems that there is hope for the future of Connecticut’s residents who depend on these companies for employment.  With unemployment rates that continue to remain high at 8.4 percent statewide, any opportunity, legislative or otherwise, for businesses to grow in Connecticut seem like a great way to help our economy continue to develop into 2012.