Bob Godfrey

Connecticut’s economy is seeing significant improvement with jobs being added to the workforce and unemployment at an historic low. According to the state Department of Labor, more than 6,000 jobs were created in June and the Governor reports Connecticut has added more than 12,000 jobs in two months. Private sector employment now stands at more than 111 percent, fully recovering from pre-recession levels.

I am pleased to see Danbury is consistently ahead of state averages. Currently Danbury's unemployment rate of 3.8 percent is under the state average.

The Danbury Labor Market Area, which consists of Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford and Sherman, is also experiencing job growth and saw the addition of 1,300 jobs from May 2018 to June 2018.

I believe Connecticut and Danbury's economic growth is a direct result of worker-friendly policies my colleagues and I have championed in the Legislature.

With companies such as FuelCell Energy, Seven Star Cloud Group, KPMG, and others adding numerous jobs to Connecticut, we see our job creation efforts flourishing.

FuelCell Energy has invested in job growth in Danbury and Torrington, especially after the recent expansion of its manufacturing facility in Torrington, and is committed to staying in Connecticut.

Rep. Michelle Cook (D-Torrington), Rep. David Arconti (D-Danbury) and I co-sponsored legislation that led to the addition of more renewable energy projects, including 22.2 MW projects in Hartford and Derby for FuelCell. These projects are expected to add 100 to 200 jobs to the area.

Things look to be moving in the right direction, we will to work to make sure these efforts continue.

Please feel free to contact me at the Capitol at 860-240-1378 or by email at Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov.