CBIA Response to May 2026 Employment Report

The state’s largest business organization issued the following response to today’s release of the May 2026 employment report. 

“We are concerned at the long-term, structural weaknesses in Connecticut’s job market, as these reports continue to highlight,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.  

“While the state saw modest job gains overall, there were concerning declines in key industry sectors, including professional and business services and trade, transportation, and utilities.  

“The state’s labor force—those working and actively looking for work—fell by nearly 12,000 people in May.  

“In the last 12 months nearly 38,000 people have left the labor force,  which is now 1.7% below pre-pandemic levels—in stark contrast to growth in the rest of the country. 

“Connecticut’s unemployment rate rose again in May to 5.1%, well above the national rate of 4.3%.  

“A shrinking labor force is not just a jobs issue—it’s an economic growth issue and a competitiveness issue.  

“It’s critical that policymakers take meaningful, sustainable action to reverse Connecticut’s affordability crisis.  

“Without solutions that reduce costs in areas including healthcare, housing, and energy, Connecticut will continue to struggle to attract and retain the workforce needed to grow the economy.”

---

CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).